Message of peace from Catholic boy killed in Boston Marathon bombing

Some time ago, Martin Richard, a pupil at Pope John Paul II Catholic Academy, Boston, posed for this photograph with his message of peace for a school project. It says simply: 'no more hurting people - peace.'

A friend of his schoolteacher posted the picture on Facebook yesterday. She writes: "This is Martin, eight. He died in the Boston bombing yesterday. He was at the finish line with his family, waiting for his dad to cross. His mother and little sister were catastrophically injured.

He was the student of our dear friend, Rachel Moo. His message resonates powerfully today. My prayer is that we all live by Martin's words, paying tribute to his too-brief, but immeasurably valuable life by following his example."

A statement from the school describes him as a "kind, caring, and loving young boy who had great excitement for learning."

For a reflection and further report, see: www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/guest-voices/post/martin-richards-peace/2013/04/16/a4f4cdbc-a6f1-11e2-a8e2-5b98cb59187f_blog.html