Br. Tom

Br. Tom died this morning during Vigils. The toll bell began ringing about 5 a.m. just as I was heating my instant grits. We gathered around his bed to pray some simple prayers and the Salve.

Aged 79, he had spent more than a decade bed-ridden in our infirmary. He had a motorized chair-bed that allowed him to travel to the Retreat House to help out in the kitchen every Friday or Saturday and to come to Mass on Sunday. His nurse and a monk would hold doors open for him. During the day he made rosaries from colored string; these were sold in our store.

Tom was a stubborn, cantankerous old man who loved to tell stories about difficulties with other people that ended in his telling them off. He had a heart of gold that brought many friends. He was such a wonderful mixture of a man. Every night monks would gather around his bed to pray the rosary; it was always preceded by Tom's long list of people and needs to pray for.

He entered the community when he was 15 and worked hard all his life on the farm and in the garage.

His last illness was sudden and did not last long -- about a week of pneumonia which did not respond to antibiotics. He had asked to remain here at home where he received IV fluids and medication.

Many of our friends will miss him greatly. I anticipate a large crowd for his funeral -- which will probably take place this Friday.