Remembering and Praying for Some Dear Priests on This All Souls Day

A priest friend and former pastor, Fr. Richard Ley, often said that there is no one deader than a dead priest. His point was that they have no immediate family and that often they are easily forgotten. What a terrible thought that our spiritual fathers who have done so much for us could be forgotten! I think of all the priest who've blessed my life and pray that I will never be so lacking in gratitude that I forget them. Today I am praying the rosary for all the dear priests who impacted my life who are now standing before the Judgment Seat of God. I hope they are all in heaven. I pray for them in case they still suffer in Purgatory. They live in my heart, and deserve to be remembered with deep gratitude.

I'll begin with my Uncle Edgar Zurlinden (1887-1973) whom I hardly knew, a brother of my Father's mother. He was a Jesuit and I believe spent most of his life in Cleveland, OH. I can't remember whether I ever met him. Perhaps he was at my Aunt Estelle's funeral in, I believe, 1968. But I'm still grateful for him and for my great grandparents who obviously helped to nurture his vocation. May he pray that one of our grandsons be called to the holy priesthood to serve Holy Mother Church and bring souls to God

One of my happiest memories is of Fr. Leo Celano. He was studying at Catholic University the year my photo chained to an abortion clinic table appeared in, I think, the National Catholic Register with the title, "Does this do any Good?" Father saw the photo and called. He came to our home in Alexandria for dinner bearing gifts of the Autumn season: a pumpkin and candy for the kids, a big bottle of red wine, and flowers. Thinking about him always brings a smile to my face because he was bigger than life. He always talked with great fondness about his Mama Rose. We visited him when he returned to California and he took us to San Juan Capistrano. I'll never forget him talking to a homeless man who approached him and giving him alms. And what a self-sacrificing man who suffered in his last years from macular degeneration that made him almost blind. But never a complaint, always a big, booming laugh and concern for saving souls. I know he brought many to Christ and nurtured the faith of countless souls like us.

Fr. Robert Bradley, S.J. proved that there are still good Jesuits in the world. He was in residence at our parish, St. Louis, in Alexandria and became a good friend. He moved back to his home state of Texas and several times, when we traveled to visit our Texas son ,we made a point of seeing him in the Dallas area. What a blessing he was to the Latin Mass community there. And how much I remember and am grateful for his kind friendship. I look forward to the day we meet again, Father.

Then there were my diocesan spiritual directors. Fr. Lee Gross was the first. He had converted from being a Lutheran pastor to an Episcopalian, and finally to Catholicism. 

Because of the double change the diocese made him wait before ordination; and he was in residence at our parish. He had few responsibilities and generously accepted my request for spiritual direction. I went to him for ten years until he was assigned to Mt. St. Mary's Seminary. There he shared his love for opera often inviting seminarians to his residence for opera nights. When my sister died a year ago I met a young priest in the Frederick, MD area who offered her funeral Mass. He attended the Mount and remembered Fr. Gross fondly and describing some of those opera evening. Father's enthusiasm was obviously contagious. I particularly recall that he was a huge fan of roller coasters. I hope they have a few in heaven.

Another spiritual director was Fr. Lawrence Violette. What a sense of humor he had, a bit sardonic. He often let me feel its sting when we met. I could never take myself too seriously when I was under his direction. He was good for my humility. 

Another dear priest was Fr. Robert Lange who was our associate pastor for a time here in Woodstock. He served the Diocese of Arlington well and faithfully. A kind and dear soul, he wrote a lovely book, Windows into the Life of a Priest. He went from a wild biker to a model priest. What a history! I vividly remember a day of reflection Father gave for the Knights of Columbus and their wives. He shared a photograph taken of his home in Fort Valley. The room he used as a chapel was on the second floor in the spot where the "star" appears. The photo was taken on a cloudy, dismal day so there was no possibility of a reflection on the window of the room. Look at the picture and ask yourself where that wonderful light is coming from. Here's the article Fr. Lange wrote about the Eucharist. Dear Fr. Lange, rest in peace and intercede for we who loved you in this life.

I could go on and on, but I'll stop here with so many fond memories of other dear priests: Fr. Mark Pilon, Fr. Jerome Daly, Fr. Paul Marx, Fr. John Hardon, Fr. James Buckley, Fr. Norman Weslin, Bishop Thomas Welsh, Fr. Tom Collins. Some I knew well, others only from well-remembered sermons. Some, like Fr. Buckley whose Ignatian retreats I attended every year for over a decade, deserve entire articles of their own. And Fr. Tom Collins who died only recently stopped many times in Woodstock when he was on the way home form visiting his mother in Northern Virginia. I carry them all in my heart with deep gratitude! May they all rest in peace remembered by those who owe them love and prayers.

May the divine assistance remain always with us and may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.