Saturday, 30 March 2013

Transitus - the Living and the Dead

There, it just happened again, my dear dead being  brought to mind in the great silence of these three days. Just now, it was my dear mother in law, who died three years ago this day, and a cryptic conversation with my friendly former spouse who 'happened' to be walking past when I went outdoors on a chore. Exchanged Easter greetings, and he mentioned her, dear dear lady. I thought of her - she was beside me - yesterday in the Stations and the Good Friday service; along with the cavalcade of my thousands of Irish and French and Scots Catholic and  Protestant relations, back and back into the mists of time (well, the 10th Century, reliably).

They were all there, with me, in this most ancient ritual, speaking the same holy words I was (in Latin) in these momentous days. It was quite special, especially this year, as this is the first in my 50 years that I have been complete, both sides of my family found and known. Even more special in that tomorrow is my father's birthday, on which during his lifetime Easter never fell. It feels such a great blessing. He, most of all, is with me.... Earlier today, a cousin said to me of him, 'his spirit is still strong and benevolent.' So it is, not merely in memory, but actively. The Communion of Saints. We go on. We go on.

So as we wait in this last hush of Holy Saturday before Compline, Peace be with you all.

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