Yesterday
we offered Requiem Mass in the Novus Ordo
for my mother, who died on January 14 of this year. It was offered ad orientem and with the Kyrie, Sanctus and Agnus Dei from Missa de Angelis, and with the traditional
Pater Noster. I am very grateful to
Father Brown (of Forest Murmurs) for his help in arranging the Mass, and to my
brother priests -Canon Barrass and Fr Dodds –who came to offer Mass with us. The organist and the few singers who came to
support us –some from the choir loft and two or three from within the
congregation- did a tremendous job in leading the singing of de Angelis, and I am very grateful for
their attendance. Most of all I am grateful to God for having blest me, my
brothers and my sisters with a wonderful woman for our mother; one who spent
her life putting herself aside for us, truly living out the Holy Sacrifice of
the Faith she so loved. For priests, our earthly mothers are the most important lady in our lives after the Mother of God, so I will miss her greatly, but I have confidence in Our Lord and Our Lady that her self-sacrificing ways will be repaid a hundred-fold by God. As I say in every funeral I celebrate: may her sins be forgiven, and the goodness of her life rewarded. Requiescat in
Pace.
Father - sadly I was unable to attend your Mum's Requiem Mass.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that she's now in a much better place, in direct communion, as it were, with Our Blessed Lord.
Frank E
Father,
ReplyDeleteI had just read yesterday of your mother's deterioration on your blog. I am very sorry to read of her passing. I've just now prayed a Pater Noster, Gloria and Ave for her repose. May God hold you and all of your family members close to His heart and Mary keep you in this difficult time.
Your mother was a much valued member of the parish at Forest Hall and always made me feel welcome. She has been much missed the last few years although it was good when she was brought along for Friday Mass and coffee. I was so glad that she got on well with my mother and they were able to share talking about being a priest`s mother.
ReplyDeleteThere were quite a number of positive comments about the Mass.
I will say prayers for her. I am so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteRachel