Washington D.C. – National Catholic Reporter, December 17, 2024
At the beginning of the Vigil Mass at Holy Trinity Church on Saturday, Jesuit Fr. Jack Dennis stepped down from the altar and stood by the pew where Debra Tice was sitting with one of her sons.
“We have here today at our church Mrs. Debra Tice,” said Dennis, the parochial vicar and Mass presider. “Her son Austin, has been — as you know, you all read the papers — a captive in Syria since 2012, and so our Mass intention today is for your son, Austin, and for all those who are unjustly imprisoned.” The congregation burst into a long applause.
“My faith! My faith is everything,” said Debra Tice, smiling brightly during an exclusive interview after Mass with the National Catholic Reporter.
Tice discussed how her faith has been what she said was the greatest source of strength and hope during her 12-year effort to find her son. In her darkest hours during her son’s disappearance, Tice said, she has turned to the Eucharist. “If you’re famished, you can have the body of Christ every day,” Tice said.
Over a dinner of salad and tap water, Tice discussed her efforts to find her son, how her Catholic faith has sustained her spiritually and emotionally, and how the top Roman Catholic official in Syria became her supporter, spiritual adviser and close friend.
