REMEMBRANCE AND GRATITUDE FOR OUR DECEASED LOVED ONES

Anniversary of the death of my father.

Requiem Mass in spite of my confidence that our Lord had long since granted him entry into his holy Paradise. This commemoration is a duty, which does not mean that I wait for this anniversary day to discharge myself of the duty of prayer for my father.

Every day at Mass I do this for him and for all those who have a right to my remembrance and to my gratitude.

Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 10 October 1842, EO XXI

This entry was posted in WRITINGS. Bookmark the permalink.

1 Response to REMEMBRANCE AND GRATITUDE FOR OUR DECEASED LOVED ONES

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    While this morning’s brief entry by Eugene to his diary speaks of the anniversary of his father’s death it opens a door for me to look at how I remember and express gratitude for those who have been a part of my life; those I loved greatly and those I have struggled with.

    While some are remembered with great love and gratitude there are others that I have not always remembered to thank God for allowing them to be a part of my life. In looking at this I realise that I have relegated the latter to a small hidden corner of my heart – not out of hate but so that I have not had to look to closely at them.

    And I suppose I must also give thanks for these moments: they are not what I would have asked for this Friday morning. I think of how I have so easily given thanks to God for some and have neglected to barely think of others. Did I hate them? I ask myself. Do I think of them as consigned to hell and so not worthy of remembrance let along gratitude?

    Perhaps it is time for me to let go of that which I have been holding on to and allow forgiveness to enter that hidden space in my heart where I have relegated those who hurt me to reside. Perhaps it is time to allow the light of love, real love to open the darkness. For I realise in looking at those I have relegated to that place are loved – just by God but also by myself. I have allowed hurt to take over; but If I let go of the dark, I will be able to forgive and give thanks.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *