On the 5th of November, as the fireworks and bonfires blazed around Oxford, the Blackfriars community was also celebrating. It was not the events of 1605 that we remembered, however, but rather another great event, in 1939. We were celebrating the 70th birthday of our brother, David Sanders.
Coincidentally, the psalm appointed for Vespers that evening was Psalm 131: 'O Lord, remember David and all the many hardships he endured...', and at Matins we had sung that 'our span is seventy years or eighty for those who are strong'. With this in mind, we raised our glasses to fr David, and wished him many more years of joyful service in the Order, despite all the hardships he may yet have to endure!
l. to r.: fr David Sanders, fr Vivian Boland, Professor Edmund Pellegrino (who was in Blackfriars to lecture the following day on Catholic bioethics), and fr Richard Conrad
Ad Multos Annos, fr David; and may the Brethren of the Studentate long be inspired by your example !
ReplyDeleteHow nice of you to let us share in your private celebrations. Much appreciated and happy birthday!
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