Dear Brothers and Sisters:

One of the first Broadway musicals I ever saw contains a song that has some of the most haunting lyrics I have ever heard.  In “Les Miserables,” the character of Marius sings the following words: “There’s a grief that can’t be spoken There’s a pain goes on and on Empty chairs at empty tables Now my friends are dead and gone.”  The month of November in the Catholic Church is indeed a time to reflect upon all the empty chairs at empty tables.

This year all of us, I am sure, have been touched by the death of someone we knew and loved. The COVID pandemic did not discriminate based on race, religion, or economic status. The pain that goes on and the grief that cannot be spoken are real, and the month of November is a time for us to remember our departed loved ones and acknowledge this pain, this grief.

As a Province, this year has been an emotional one for many of us as we have said farewell to so many good and zealous Redemptorists. During this year we have said farewell to our youngest Redemptorist at the age of 39 as well as several confreres who were in their late 90s and approaching the century mark. There have been many others of various ages in between who have died faithful in the Congregation. In many of our communities we read “Cherished Memories” each day which gives a thumbnail sketch of the life and ministry of the Redemptorists who died on that day. The short narrative can never capture the full life of these apostolic men. In our Washington, DC community at our time of reading “Cherished Memories” it is often accentuated by someone adding more to the narrative if they knew the confrere.

We all have our cherished memories of our deceased confreres. Hopefully all of us during this month can take time to remember and share those memories. We pray that all deceased Redemptorists share eternal life with the Redeemer, and by our sharing stories of their memoires they will forever live within each of us. Our sharing of these cherished memories means there are no empty chairs at empty tables but living memories of men who inspired us, formed us, and made us who we are today. The grief and pain may forever be present but in the eyes of the Lord they are not dead and gone … they are alive with the Saints and the Redeemer in heaven.

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them.  May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed thru the mercy of God Rest in Peace.  Amen.

In the Spirit of the Redeemer, 

Paul J. Borowski, C.Ss.R.