In Texas, “the prayers of the people of Kerrville”

In the photograph, two people are praying in the pews of a church, including a young girl who has buried her face in her hands. They are a father and his daughter, attending mass this Sunday, July 6th. Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller at Our Lady of Kerrville Catholic Church. The “special Mass” was held to pray for “the dead and missing” following deadly flooding in Texas on July 4 , caused by torrential rains that caused the Guadalupe River to overflow its banks, The Dallas Morning News reported .

"Kerrville: Third day of searches," headlines the Texas daily, which devotes its front page to the search for potential survivors, but also to the "prayers of the residents of Kerrville," the city seat of Kerr County, crossed by the Guadalupe River. Of the 80 people who are believed to have lost their lives in these floods, 68 lived in this county, according to a still-preliminary report released on Monday, July 7, by local authorities.

“Hundreds of worshippers crowded into the church pews, and even more chairs had to be added,” the newspaper reported. The archbishop thanked the firefighters in their trucks, while residents gratefully observed a “continuous parade of military vehicles and rescue workers from across the state,” the article added.

The roadsides were also occupied by people "who prayed for their deceased while still hoping to receive news of the missing," whose number is still difficult to estimate, as "the region is a popular camping destination around July 4," the article states. At least 41 people are missing in all affected areas of Texas, according to the preliminary report.

“The leaders encouraged Texans to seek support and not stand alone in the face of the ongoing tragedy, which is watching the entire nation.” Calls for prayer followed, including one from Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who offered a prayer on July 6 for the victims, but also “for the affected communities to recover and for nothing to happen to those on the front lines.” Vice Governor Dan Patrick, meanwhile, called on Texans to “pray intensely, even on their knees.”

In Kerrville, residents responded to the call in their own way, “gathering in front of the supermarket for a 'prayer drive,' waving to motorists and holding signs that read 'PRAYER.'” The call was even relayed from Rome, where Pope Leo XIV expressed his “sincere condolences to all the families who have lost loved ones.”

The Dallas Morning News also spoke with residents who lost loved ones on July 4. “We go through a lot of emotions, from hope to despair,” said Gutierrez, a 22-year-old woman. “All we can do is wait. We can either stand here, go pray, or try to help,” she said, her voice breaking. She lost one of her cousins ​​in the floods, aged only 2.