A Mournful Lent

Praying for the dead has not been as real to me as it has this Lent. Yesterday, a third woman that we knew from our parish passed away.

Each week this Lent has really made me reflect on our mortality as we saw two elderly women who led full and saintly lives pass away, and another beautiful mother with school-age children leave behind a boy, two girls, and a husband to care for them. We also have friends whose newborn baby has been fighting for her life that God is faithfully blessing with healing.

Last week we went to the Knights of Columbus St. Patrick’s Day dinner. I couldn’t help but notice how empty the room was. How many of the outspoken older gentlemen were not there due to illness. It made my heart a little sad. Many of these couples I first met at daily Mass when Adam and I were first dating. Many of them were at our wedding. They have had a unique window into our lives as they saw us court, marry, and grow our family. And now we are seeing them pass away into the eternal joy of heaven.

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and may Your perpetual light shine upon them.