Mass for Deceased Religious
On the 16th November we held a Mass in memory of all the Passionists Brothers, priests and students who have died in our Province of St. Patrick (Ireland, Scotland, Paris, Botswana and south Africa) since its foundation in 1927. We contacted as many family members as possible because part of our intention was to maintain that link with the families of those who had died. A very good number turned up to join us for both the Mass and a simple reception afterwards.
On
the morning of the Mass we realised that, while 197 men had died throughout
that period, we only had 164 votive candles left in the candle sacristy.
There had been a big run on them during November. What were we to do?
Sometimes in the Gospels numbers are used that aren't meant to be taken
literally, so in the true Biblical tradition, we decided that we had a
big number of names and a big number of candles and that would suffice.
Surely nobody was going to count them anyway!
There were children there and children of a certain age are so inquisitive about everything. The Mass finished and Fr. Frank greeted the people at the back as they made their way down to the Blessed Charles centre for a cup of tea. Suddenly two blonde-haired and blue-eyed boys aged 9 and 11, came bearing down on him. "Why did you read out 197 names and there were only 164 candles", they asked in unison, to which he had no adequate answer. So he just told the truth - we had run out of candles.
We
pray and hope that on the Last Day all our deceased Passionists will stand
in perpetual light on the right to inherit the Kingdom prepared for them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.
December 2002 - Index
Synod of Congregation in Korea
Meeting Lay Passionist Association
St. Paul of the Cross - Man of Prayer by Fr. Frank Keevins
First meeting of Former Passionists
Senior/Retired Religious Initiative
Obituary:
Bro. Malachy Daly C.P. 1916-2002
Fr. Patrick Wilson C.P. 1907-2002
Fr. Celestine Butterly C.P. 1916-2002