for Brendan, our newest saint

Heaven gained one of the most beautiful souls that has ever lived on Saturday morning, and I am happy for Heaven, but I am broken hearted for the rest of us.  Brendan always belonged to Heaven.  It was as if this precious little soul that had only room for love was given to us for the little while that he was here so that our faith could be strengthened.  So that we could see Jesus’ presence in this life more clearly through this person who knew only how to love, to bring joy and blessings to those around him, and to suffer as Jesus suffered.  

Most people do not know the love and the beauty in 100 years that Brendan lived in his 16 years on this earth. He lived so courageously and boldly in the total trust of God's Love for him.

To his parents, Maura and Frank, who gave up their lives to take care of their beautiful, holy son, thank you for showing us what love looks like. Thank you for showing us that it is possible, by the grace of God, to love like the Holy Family in this life.  Our Heavenly Father entrusted His beloved son Brendan to your care for a reason.  He wanted parents who would love him and care for him and prepare him for his life in Heaven, and you have done exactly that.  I cannot thank you enough for being such a beautiful witness to us all.  

To his dear sister and brother, Molly and Joseph, aside from your parents, no one could love Brendan as you two love him.  God knew what He was doing when He made you Brendan’s siblings. He knew Brendan needed the kind of love that only you could give him.  Thank you for showing us what it means to love in the midst of the most difficult circumstances.  

To Brendan’s cousins, his uncles, his aunts, his grandparents and all his extended family: It has been an honor to watch you all love Brendan so completely.  I have felt blessed over and over to have a front row seat and experience the tangible love you have for Brendan and for one another.  Thank you for being a witness of hope and perseverance in the midst of the greatest trials of this life.  

I imagine one of the first things Brendan did when He met Jesus face to face was to thank Him for the family God gave Him.  Because of all of you, Brendan knew how much God Loves him.  Jesus’ sacrifice for him on the Cross could make sense to him, because he knew that sacrificial love in his own life from the people who surrounded him.

Brendan was called Home to Jesus during the Easter season.  And the Angels are saying to us what they said to those who sought Jesus on Easter Sunday at His tomb:

“Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised" Luke 24:4-5

Brendan is with Jesus and Mary, and his good friend Blessed John Paul II.  And he is praying for all of us.  The first thing I did when I learned that Brendan was in Heaven was ask for his intercession.  Because he is alive and will be for eternity and I know he will intercede for all of us until we join him in Paradise.  

My sister Christina told me that Blessed John Paul II’s canonization was announced yesterday. The same day that Brendan entered his Heavenly life.  She remarked that it was very fitting that this announcement was made on the day that Brendan met Blessed John Paul for the second time--the day that these two saints were brought together again.  Both of them lived a life of love and both of their suffering was turned into joy in Heaven because they offered themselves to Christ, Who transforms death into Life eternal. 

I wish we could still have Brendan here with us. No life that he encountered will ever be the same. He blessed my life for the 3 years I had the gift of knowing him. My heart, prayers and love are with the Kellys, McCabes, McCarthy’s and all who know and love Brendan.  

Let us never speak of him in the past tense, because he is very present, and he suffers no more.  He is living the life he was born to live.  

The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,

and no torment shall touch them.

      They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;

and their passing away was thought an affliction

and their going forth from us, utter destruction.

But they are in peace.

For if to others, indeed, they seem punished,

yet is their hope full of immortality;

Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,

because God tried them

and found them worthy of himself.

As gold in the furnace, he proved them,

and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.

In the time of their judgment they shall shine

and dart about as sparks through stubble;

They shall judge nations and rule over peoples,

and the LORD shall be their King forever.

  Wisdom 3:1-8