Saturday morning, my wife and I returned to the funeral home where we had been the night before. My sister was a much-loved woman and many people had come to pay their respects. As is the case for an Irish wake, there were tears and laughter, and praised be to God, more of the latter than the former.
We returned on Saturday for the private little service that funeral homes do right before heading to the church. In other words, I went to see her for a final time on this earth. All was fine until the words “please pay your final respects and kindly head to your car” were said. I approached her casket with my wife. They had taken away the kneeler so we could get closer. I placed my hand on her arm, remembering how her beautiful life and mine had intertwined so many times. And just as the remaining siblings who were also there did, I wept as I moved forward. Tears of joy, truly… mostly.
Friends, God picked a good time for her to go. The first full week of November? Plenary indulgences abounded. My most sincere thanks to all who prayed for her, who visited cemeteries and gained an indulgence, who have had Masses offered. Thank you to the priests who have already said Masses for her. And thank you to all who came or who reached out in other ways. Your kindness will not be forgotten.
Please continue to pray for her.
What’s with the title? Oh yes, load up. Thats what we did before they closed the lid. Do you know how many broken rosaries, tarnished medals, and torn holy cards we found in her apartment? She never threw those things away because they were blessed. So they went into the ground with her along with a holy card in her hand of St. Rita, for whom my sister had a particular devotion (as of course do many in my family). It is my hope that we continue to load up the prayers for her soul and as I’ve said once or twice before…
Stay confessed.
