Posts Tagged ‘grieving’

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Br. Jamie Nelson

Psalm 116:12-13

Today is our monthly requiem mass, a time we dedicate to remembering the members of the Society of St. John the Evangelist who died during the month of September.

Later in the service, we will pray for them by name. But beyond their names, I want to offer now a small bouquet of the details of their lives plucked from their obituaries that we read at Compline: five were veterans of the great World Wars;¹ four died during this century;² three were known for their musical talents;³ two were sons of priests;⁴ and one was a talented tinkerer who could fix almost anything mechanical.⁵

These 11 men were much like every member of SSJE: distinct individuals in so many ways, yet similar in essentials. They served in almost every place SSJE has had a presence: in Canada, England, India, Scotland, South Africa, and the United States. Together, they tallied 380 years of professed life. I marvel at the vast expanse of that span of years saturated with prayer, worship, and service, and give thanks to God for their lives. Read More