A Final Resting Place

The homeless are all around us. They struggle with their inner demons; they struggle with the elements; they struggle with each other. They range in age from the very old to the very young. Many are abandoned by their families; many have abandoned their families. They live on the streets with only the clothes on their backs and what possessions they can carry. And they die alone and abandoned.

Realizing this, the Franciscan Friars (OFM) of St. Anthony Shrine, Boston, MA, developed the Lazarus Program. Working some local funeral directors, and the medical examiner’s office; the Shrine provides a dignified funeral and burial for the deceased homeless.

Tuesday, November 10th, the Shrine celebrated a memorial Mass for all those who had been buried though the Lazarus Program, which I attended. It was a lovely liturgy, with inspiring music, homily and prayers. What touched me the most was when one of the friars read the names of the deceased. It was a long list, and unfortunately had way too many names of babies who had died abandoned. But in that moment, in that holy place, they, along with the other homeless deceased, where remembered and prayed for,

Eternal rest grant onto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them!