Msgr. Pope on Every Life and Its Story

"When my father lay dying, I remember that one of the losses I began to grieve was that he was the keeper of so many family stories. He was the one who could look at an old family photograph, identify all the people, and tell you something about each one. As I saw him lying there, no longer able to talk much, I thought of all the memories stored up in his mind, all the stories, all the people he once knew and had spoken of so vividly.

"And it was not just the family stories he held; he was also a great historian and a great wellspring of the classics. He had read all of the 'Great Books,' all of Shakespeare, all of Sacred Scripture, and so many other worthy writings. And he had memorized many lengthy quotes from each.

"Such an encyclopedic mind! He was full of vivid thoughts and vivid memories. He was the keeper of our family story. And though I knew he would take it with him in his soul, I grieved that his magnificent mind was now closing to me. I regret that I did not more carefully retain all he told me over the years."

In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on how each person's life is a special story (something I've often reflected upon over the years).

To access Msgr. Pope's complete post, please visit:

Community in Mission: Every Life is a Story - As seen in a touching video (7 FEB 20)