Outstanding funerals of Br. Aidan and Fr. Roland Walls

AD CLERUM Cardinal Keith

DEATHS:

Brother Aidan OCSO.  I ask you to pray for the happy repose of the soul of Brother Aidan OCSO, who died at Nunraw Abbey on Wednesday 30 March 2011. Brother Aidan was in his 77^th year and the 48^th year of Monastic Profession at Sancta Maria Cistercian Abbey. He had been Sub-Prior for 15 years and was renowned for his apostolate on the farm, having been the Farm Manger for 32 years. Brother Aidan had been working as usual the day before he died and then was found dead when the monks were rising at 3.45 am for their night vigil of prayer. His funeral was held at Nunraw on Thursday 14 April 2011 at 1.00 pm.

Father Roland Walls, a member of the Franciscan Hermits of the Transfiguration (Ecumenical) at Roslin and a priest of our own Archdiocese, died peacefully with the Little Sisters of the Poor on Thursday 7 April 2011. Having lived out his priestly life and his membership of the Franciscan Hermits of the Transfiguration in an exemplary way and being a mentor and guide to very many, including a considerable number of our brother priests, Father Roland died peacefully with the Little Sisters of the Poor on 7 April 2011. His remains will be received into our Cathedral on Thursday 14 April 2011 at 5.00 pm, with the funeral Mass being celebrated on Friday 15 April 2011 in our Cathedral at 11.00 am.

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Cardinal O'Brien
To: Donald Nunraw
Sent: Thu, 21 April, 2011 18:32:03
Subject: RE: [Dom Donald's Blog] Brother Aidan Homily of Mark

Dear Donald

Many thanks for your email of 20 April 2011 – and your appreciation of my celebrating the funerals of Brother Aidan and Father Roland.

Did you also notice that I had to bury another friend on the Monday, namely Joe Reddington, who had also been an old camper.  Joe faithfully helped in my garden here at St Bennet’s for the last 25 years – granted that I do not have the skills of either the Cardinal or Sister Cyril in a garden!  And, in addition, organised the various pilgrim journeys which I undertook, usually with a busload of people in tow!

Consequently, I am sorry that I did not have anything formally worked out to say about Aidan at the end of Mass – the words basically came from my heart and were probably all the better because of that!

This does not help with your blog, Donald, but I will send on a copy of the homily which I preached at Joe Reddington’s funeral just as an indication of the ‘spirituality of the laity’, which I always deeply appreciate.

With my kindest regards and prayers for you all at Nunraw.

Keith

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh is a Charity registered in Scotland – number SC008540

From: Donald Nunraw [mailto:nunrawdonald@yahoo.com]
Sent: 20 April 2011 19:22
To: Keith Patrick O'Brien
Subject: Fw: [Dom Donald's Blog] Brother Aidan Homily of Mark

Request for possible text of Br. Aidan's last words

Your Eminence,

Thank you for the latest AD CLERUM
and especially on the outstanding funerals of Br. Aidan and Fr. Roland Walls.

Your words on the occasions are moving and inspiring.

Your were the first to send a Letter of Condolence  regarding Br. Aidan.

You attended the Nunraw Mass, and without repeating anything, your address before the Final Commendation touched the heart of everyone, especially the family. 

We must not burden you, but only if you had a text of the words, we would appreciate greatly any copy.

As you know I make use of the Web Log, (Blog).

The Funeral Homily of Abbot Mark and pictures of the ceremonies have been Emailed copies of Blog to people interested.

It is seen below; http://www.domdonald.org.uk/ Saturday 16 April 2011  

Again my sincere thanks for your kindness on all counts.

In Dno.

Donald