I will work until my last breath. As he did - his throat slit; a knife thrust into his body, as he finished his beloved Mass on the steps of the altar before an equally elderly and tiny congregation held hostage to witness his murder by two ISIS butchers who then gave their own parody of a sermon in Arabic.
Now, Father Moanda-Phuati, a Congolese who came to serve in the dwindling French collective parishes, where priests are shared over several churches, has to live with the knowledge that Father Jacques died in his place. The priest immediately cut short his holiday to care for his bewildered, upset parishioners.
He spoke of a courageous man who wanted, as long as he had the strength, to work in the service of the people. We benefited greatly from his experience and wisdom. He spent most of his life in the service of the people. He was a man of peace. Like many Catholic countries in the western world France is suffering from a lack of priests and a lack of youths coming forward to the priesthood, plus an ageing and dwindling congregation.
It is not uncommon for two priests to share 20 churches and saying Mass on a monthly, rather than a weekly basis, in each one.
Although Father Hamel celebrated his Golden Jubilee - 50 years of service - eight years ago, when it came time to retire he refused, just asking for a place where he could continue to celebrate Mass. Murdered: Father Jacques Hamel, 84, was slaughtered in the horrific assault, which saw the two knifemen film themselves as they cut his throat.
