All Souls Day Memorial Mass at Liguori
-
November 19, 2024All Souls Day marked our fifth Denver Province anniversary celebration of the Memorial Mass for our beloved confreres buried at Liguori Cemetery.We had the privilege of welcoming a group of Partners in Mission from the St. Louis area to our celebration. As main celebrant, Father Provincial Kevin Zubel recounted special memories of the deceased confreres who helped him along his vocation journey. It was a moment to refresh our connection with dear confreres who shared many moments of joy and sorrow with us.
This year we especially remembered eight confreres who passed in 2024, including Fathers Ray Dompke, Tom McIntosh, Richard Boever, Greg Schmitt, Gerry LaPorte, John Vargas and Gan Nguyen, former local superior who initiated the All Souls Day celebration in memory of more than 300 confreres buried at Liguori in 2019. He said that the St. Clement’s Community is the ‘de facto’ custodian entrusted with caring for this holy ground and guardian of our memorial of beloved Redemptorist confreres of the Denver Province.After Mass in the community chapel, confreres and guests walked to the cemetery. Fr. Kevin led the grave blessing ceremony, which began with the proclamation of recollections of each of the eight confreres who died this year. Many of us still have vivid memories of these confreres, and our Partners in Mission also shared their memories of these confreres. It was a real, moving family gathering to share loving memories.
We also remembered the Redemptoristine Nuns buried here, and lovingly and prayerfully blessed each of their graves.Our celebration concluded with a luncheon, enabling everyone to share stories and memories of our beloved departed Redemptorists and Redemptoristines.Photos by Fr. Vincent Minh