Learning what priesthood means

Ordained for the Diocese of Rockville Centre in 1979, I was assigned to a parish where an influential and high-level federal official lived.

I knew the man only from a distance; Secret Service agents kept him away from everyone when he attended Mass.

When the man died, he was buried from the parish church, with the bishop as celebrant of the funeral. President and Mrs. Reagan were flown in by helicopter. The church was filled with flowers and dignitaries from all levels of government. The parish choir was commissioned to sing. The funeral procession was miles long -- as were the speeches.

In the same parish, there was an elderly man who had the same name as the saint: Vincent de Paul. He lived alone and was unable to hear or speak. He spent most of the day in church, praying in front of the larger-than-life crucifix on the wall. We never spoke but greeted each other through signs.

When he died a few weeks after the government official's funeral, I was assigned to conduct Vincent's funeral. The only people in attendance were the funeral director and Vincent's sister. He was buried in a cloth-covered pine box. There were no speeches, no dignitaries, no flowers, no extra candles and no choir members.

I felt very disturbed by it and knew that somehow it would impact on my understanding of my very young priesthood. I resolved that day never to let a "little" person or someone considered insignificant be buried without the best funeral I could muster.

For 25 years, whenever someone like Vincent dies, I wear my best vestments. We cancel the Mass for the day and put out a call for people to come to the funeral instead. We sing all the parts of the Mass and all the verses to the hymns. I take out my ordination chalice and even polish my shoes.

I'm pleased that the priesthood has afforded me this small opportunity to "lift up the lowly."

I've sometimes imagined that when I die, Vincent will stand next to Christ to plead on my behalf.

(Father Morris, sacramental minister at St. Paul's Church in Hancock, is marking his silver jubilee of ordination. See page 16 for more about him.)

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