Father Anthony Delisi died May 9 and he was buried at the Monastery on May 14.
A memorial for a monk at a cloistered monastery in Rockdale County, Georgia... do you think many would attend? The church was full and the monks had to bring in extra chairs. I was honored to be one of the many there. It was a beautiful service and extremely moving. Father Anthony Delisi had been at the Monastery for many years. Many knew of him, like myself, as being in charge of the gardens. (I have fond memories of the sweet peppers but apparently he took great delight in growing his hot jalapenos!)
The service began in a most unusual way...with horns from Africa. Unusual it might be, but it was a perfect tribute for him. During the homily, the Abbott told us that he had asked for Father Anthony's forgiveness in not allowing him to return to Africa, as Father Anthony wished to spend the last of his days there. (Perhaps he would not give permission due to the age and health of the monk? I am only guessing at this but you could see that his request for forgiveness was genuine.)
You see, even though Father Anthony had been at the Monastery since 1948, he had also made numerous trips in the 1970's to Africa. In 2011, he wrote his memoir: "Black Like Licorice: A Contemporary Monk's Call To Africa". It is an extraordinary story and you should read it.
You may read his obituary from our local paper here-Father Anthony- Planting Seeds of Faith.
These photos were taken at the Monastery on the day of the Memorial Service, May 14, 2016...except for the first photo, and that was taken from our last trip to England. (It is All Souls Church in Eastbourne.) One of the readings at the service was from the Book of Wisdom, you may read it here.
Printed on the front of the program for Father Anthony's service:
DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED. YOU HAVE FAITH IN GOD, HAVE FAITH IN ME ALSO. IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE THERE ARE MANY DWELLING PLACES. John 14:1-2
It is always sad to learn of deaths. My condolences to all concerned.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, there are several at the same time.
DeleteSome people really stand out from the masses one way or another, and Father Anthony did so in the best imaginable way.
ReplyDeleteThe best imaginable way, yes that is certainly true.
DeleteFather Anthony sounds like a fascinating man who led a very full life. I am glad that so many were there for his service. So sorry to hear about your young friends death, that is very sad indeed. My sincere condolences to you and his family. xx
ReplyDeleteI had only just written of the charity in England, "You Raise Me Up" and then, this young man dies unexpectedly.
DeleteFather Anthony also wrote other books too, I should have mentioned that!
You give us a lovely sense of this special man and why the church would be filled at his memorial. My sincere sympathy and prayers for this sad loss.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I fear that my few words really are not what I wanted to say but I hope it might send some to read his obituary and to learn of his life of service.
DeleteAnd also, of course, my condolences for your colleague who lost a son. I cannot imagine the grief and my mind does not want to go there.
ReplyDeleteI know, it is very hard to think of a loss of a child.
DeleteMay Father Anthony rest in peace, and the young man you knew, also.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteWe're so lucky to have people like this in our world.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear of the death of your co-worker's child, there can be no more tragic loss than the loss of a child.
Thanks for your kind words.
DeleteIt's a shame that he wasn't able to go back to Africa. I really wish my stepfather had been able to go back to Scotland one last time but the trip would have been too far. I'm also sorry to hear of your co-workers loss. Losing someone is never easy and no parent should have to outlive their children.
ReplyDeleteSometimes you just have to think of the health of those concerned.
DeleteA young man, an old monk, the final journey. May all rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debra. You always know the right thing to say and to write.
DeleteYou've done a wonderful job of spreading the word about the most worthy life of Father Anthony. He was obviously loved by many and will be sadly mourned. A life well lived. My sympathy, too, to the family of the young man.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pauline. A life well lived, truly spoken.
DeleteAnd then, I think of the young man who died, so very young. Very sad. I pray for my friend from work, he is taking his son's death very hard.
Beautiful photos of the church and monastery, on what must have been a beautiful, if sad, occasion. I read the obituary, and it is so nice to hear about a good and faithful monk, who obviously touched the lives of many.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading his obituary. You should read that book that he wrote, "Black Like Licorice". It is an incredible book. If I could, I would make a movie about it because let's face it, no one really pays attention to anything unless it is on film.
DeleteA lovely and fitting tribute to your friend. One of my favourite places is the Convent of St. Mary in Bellevue, WA. Their little chapel is such a beautiful and peaceful place. I feel fortunate to be allowed to attend mass there on the days of retreat which my friend Margaret and I attend. Sounds trite, I know, but there truly is a peace which passeth all understanding in these places. Much love to you. xoxox
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, Carol! I only wish that others could see these places the way that we do! I know of people in this county who have lived here all their lives and they have never "set foot there" as they told me.
DeleteDo you know, there is a book called "Black Like Me", do you know it? A white man in the 1960's chemically altered his skin so that he could pass as a colored man. He traveled in the South just to see how he would be treated as a black man. During his travels, he came to Conyers, GA! The Monastery is mentioned in the book, and his description of his arrival there, the feeling of all the tensions melting away as he drove up the drive...well, your comment reminded me of the book! xx
I have a rosary that Father Anthony made. So sorry to hear he has passed away. A lovely, peaceful man.
ReplyDeleteMy late parent's home was at the very end of Highway 212 in Baldwin County (Milledgeville), GA. I used to drive back to Atlanta that way sometimes. Once - when it was apparent that my mom had slipped into dementia - I drove up that highway in silence and pulled into the parking area of the monastery so I could call my sisters. A perfect place to do that.
Thank you for leaving this comment! It is a good to have someone here who had also met this kindly monk. I also have a rosary made by him and I have also given some to friends. I completely understand of you pulling into the monastery grounds to call your sisters, it is such a special place devoted to prayer that you can feel it.
DeleteThank you for leaving this comment! It is a good to have someone here who had also met this kindly monk. I also have a rosary made by him and I have also given some to friends. I completely understand of you pulling into the monastery grounds to call your sisters, it is such a special place devoted to prayer that you can feel it.
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