I went to the St. Joseph Abbey and said goodbye to Father William MacCandless, OSB, last night. Work prevents me from attending todays funeral Mass. I stood in silence in the dark outside the grand Abbey Church while the monks received his body, singing a beautiful chant about arise from your sleep and let the light of Christ shine on you. They escorted his body into the Church and his coffin was stationed in the sanctuary while the community prayed evening vespers.
At the end of Vespers, his coffin was opened and his brother monks, led by the Abbot went to pay respects and whisper their personal farewell. Then we were able to go up into the sanctuary and do the same. For me, my time spent at the side of his coffin was a time for prayer, remembrance and a simple but heartfelt "thank-you".
I've already shared the impact this wonderful priest and monk had in my journey back to the Church, back to a life in Jesus Christ.
Well done, Father William, well done. Now may you rest in the eternal embrace of your Heavenly Father!
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