We'd been planning yesterday evening, as a memorial Mass for the deceased friends and family of both the House and the Frassati Society, for several weeks. We weren't able to do something together on All Souls, so made sure we found time later on in November. We've also been praying for those on our November dead list at lauds and vespers every weekday.
Tragically, on Wednesday night, one of the community members heard that one of his friends from school, and a fellow student here at St Mary's, had died in particularly distressing circumstances. So needless to say, our already-planned memorial Mass immediately became a Mass for the repose of his soul.
As expected for such a well-liked and much-loved young man, a significant number of people joined us for our Mass last night: the chapel was mostly standing-room only, and even so, about half a dozen had to stand outside. It was a deeply profound and moving occasion - even for those (like myself) who never met the young man involved - presided over by Dom Hugh Somerville-Knapman OSB of Douai Abbey. A good number of our grieving friends were able to join us for a drink and something to eat afterwards. And we shall be keeping them, their departed friend, and his family and other friends, very much in our prayers.
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