"We had been praying for peace during the Mass."

I don't think I'm unique among Christians when I say that when I hear "martyr" or "persecution of Christians," I tend to think of St. Stephen or Sts. Felicity and Perpetua or other such people who lived long, long ago.

I don't tend to think of people today, killed because of their faith.

According to an article on CNS, seven churches were bombed in Baghdad and Mosul between July 11 and 13.

Chaldean Auxiliary Bishop Shelmon Warduni of Baghdad had finished celebrating Mass, and spent time talking to his parishoners before going to his office. It was then, while he was in his office, that a bomb exploded next to the church.

"It was hell,"he said.

All told, 4 were killed in the area of the Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart; 32 others were wounded in the seven bombings, according to the AFP.

The bishop asked for prayers: "We don't have any weapon but prayer. With prayer, we can kill the war."

Amen.

Please pray for peace in the Middle East - and also for the conversion of souls to a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).