Several days ago, I posted a story about one of our parishioners who was honored at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception with the presentation of a Papal Honor, Cross, for the Church and Holy Father: Mrs. Jean Forte.
What most would consider to be a moment of great joy and excitement was for Mrs. Forte a most difficult experience. Just the day prior to the event, Mrs. Forte had been with her son, Brian, at a hospital in the southwest. Brian was waiting for a transplant. Because she had to be home in DC for the day of honors, Mrs. Forte said farewell to Brian and his family Saturday morning, expecting that the wait for a new organ would continue. Such was not what happened. Just after Mrs. Forte was air born, Brian died. Imagine how difficult accepting the honor must have been for her.
Monsignor Ronald Jamison, Rector of our St. Matthew's Cathedral, a very close friend of the Forte family, will celebrate a memorial Mass for Brian on Monday, December 11, 2006 at our regularly scheduled 11:30 am Mass.
Let us remember Brian and his family, especially his dear mother, when we have a moment, especially when we are before the Blessed Sacrament.
Eternal rest grant unto him, Lord. Now let perpetual light shine upon him.
One of the short verses you might hear some say or choirs sing at the conclusion of a funeral liturgy goes as follows:
May the angels lead you to paradise; may the martyrs welcome you. To this, we might add our own verse: and may your Dad have welcomed you with the loving and caring arms of a father. No doubt that in the almost seven months since Mr. Al Forte died and went home to his Lord, he must have been preparing a place for Brian. Who could believe otherwise?
Jean, know that you are in our prayers. God be with you.
