Today Dominicans commemorate their deceased parents. It is an opportunity to acknowledge the huge debt we owe them. When the parent of a Dominican dies, the brethren share in this sorrow. Recently the mother of one our brothers died and in the week that followed, the rosary was recited daily for the repose of her soul.
It is 10 years since my father died. He was a true Christian, and it was with his encouragement and careful catechesis that I received the gift of faith. Trying to live up to the role model of my father has been a great inspiration for me. Just before I was born, he was diagnosed with cancer an
d he was given a very poor prognosis. But thanks largely to his firm faith and the prayers of my family, he made a full recovery and lived another 24 years. When he died, the gladness of ever having known him far outweighed the grief. He was not just my father, but he was also my friend. We had arguments, and I frequently failed to show him the respect a son should show his father. But he was always gentle and forgiving, loving me more than I loved myself. “Arise shine for thy light is come” are the words from Isaiah that appear on my father’s grave stone, words which express the sure hope that he will share in the glory of Christ’s resurrection.
d he was given a very poor prognosis. But thanks largely to his firm faith and the prayers of my family, he made a full recovery and lived another 24 years. When he died, the gladness of ever having known him far outweighed the grief. He was not just my father, but he was also my friend. We had arguments, and I frequently failed to show him the respect a son should show his father. But he was always gentle and forgiving, loving me more than I loved myself. “Arise shine for thy light is come” are the words from Isaiah that appear on my father’s grave stone, words which express the sure hope that he will share in the glory of Christ’s resurrection.
Thank you so much for your story, it moved me and reminded me of what I lived towards my father who died 3 years ago. The love and closeness I was given to live with him until the end far outweighed the grief of losing him. I'm not a Dominican, my father was an atheist, but his love and respect for what I believed helped me grow in my faith.
ReplyDeleteHallo, brothers! I am an italian young nun! Thank you for your sharing your relationship with your father! It is wonderful what you said: "loving me more than I loved myself". This we have to teach: to ove people in this way, all people who we meet in our journey!
ReplyDeleteThanks!