Last week I had the privilege of attending the funeral Mass for the father of one of my best friends, Sister Mary Gabriel. Then, as school began yesterday, we received news that Mrs. Mahler’s father died. She left to be with her family and those of us remaining at school did what we always do – began the day with Mass. When someone loses a loved one, words tend to fail me. I experience that uncomfortable feeling that often accompanies the thought, “I don’t know what to say.” In the Mass, the Church gave me, gave us, the words to say as we gathered for the Holy Sacrifice, the greatest prayer of intercession for the living and the dead. What a gift!
As we begin this month dedicated to prayer for the poor souls awaiting heaven, we remember our loved ones who have gone before us. We pray, “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.”