Two years ago today my father died. Three years ago tomorrow my mother died. Both were relatively young (74 & 70), but as my father, Con, often said: we are only allocated three score and ten years on earth.
Only now, two and three years on, do I find myself celebrating and rejoicing in so many aspects of their lives. The pain of initial grief has passed. But the sadness remains.
This morning in Amberley I celebrated Mass for them both, and I will do the same tomorrow at the Cheviot rest home.
As I was leaving the Cheviot presbytery this morning to drive to Amberley I picked up the cd of Faure’s Requiem to accompany me on the drive. Many of these great Requiem compositions are masterpieces. Faure is a favourite of mine. In particular the “In Paradisum“
- In paradisum deducant te Angeli;
- in tuo adventu suscipiant te martyres,
- et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Ierusalem.
- Chorus angelorum te suscipiat,
- et cum Lazaro quondam paupere æternam habeas requiem.
- May angels lead you into paradise;
- upon your arrival, may the martyrs receive you
- and lead you to the holy city of Jerusalem.
- May the ranks of angels receive you,
- and with Lazarus, the poor man, may you have eternal rest.
- Evelyn Mary O’Connor 1938 – 2009
- Cornelius Michael O’Connor 1935 – 2010
- May these, and all who sleep in Christ
- find in Your presence O God
- light
- happiness
- and peace.
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