A Special Video Greeting for CO-CT!Recorded by Grace Padilla on a visit with Fr. Keating in September 2017!
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CO-CT's Simple Tribute to Fr. Thomas Keating's final year
A younger Fr. Thomas in Centering Prayer
Fr. Thomas sharing the main inspiration of his life.
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A chronology of Fr. Keating's last year as tracked on the CO-CT website:
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The front side of Fr. Thomas' Mass Card
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Fr. Thomas' empty boots
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The reverse side of Fr. Thomas' Mass Card
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OUR ORIGINAL ANNOUNCEMENT OF FR THOMAS' PASSING
We are saddened at Fr. Keating's passing but grateful for his long life, for the many lives he touched and for the teaching and wisdom he shared with us all. We are filled with joy knowing that his life and relationship with God has prepared him so well for this next step on his Journey!
REFLECTION FROM FR THOMAS' NOVEMBER 3, 2018, FUNERAL SERVICE AT ST. JOSEPH’S ABBEY IN SPENCER, MA
As we turned onto Route 9, we gradually noticed cars with out of state license plates seemingly leading an informal procession through the countryside, while the GPS guided us to St. Joseph’s Abbey for Father Thomas’ funeral Mass. Not having any idea of what to expect, my friend and I speculated that at the very least we could sit in the car and honor Father Thomas by centering; but once we turned into the Abbey grounds and followed the meandering drive, up and up, we let our hopes grow, that in fact we might be able to actually attend the service in the chapel.
To our right lay expansive fields of green hugged by trees dressed in fall foliage; up ahead, as the drive crested, rose the Abbey….no signs, no one directing traffic...simply stillness. Not knowing quite where to go we ducked under the building overhang and cautiously walked around the side of the stately stone structure. There we came upon a red wooden door, which we opened and entered, then through another plain wooden door. As we stepped inside, a kindly monk inquired, “Family or Friends?” as he handed us a prayer card and directed us to where we would be sitting in the back public space. Then so very personally, he offered, “I’m sorry for your loss” to which we didn’t know quite what to say...it was unexpected, a reversal of the usual where visitors in relationship to the deceased express their sympathy to those closest to the departed, but then this was no ordinary experience. It was as though we were stepping into another world, for there was the body of Father Thomas, clothed in a white garment lying in a simple open pine box at the foot of the Abbey altar with a monk sitting vigil at the far end of the bier. About 40 folding chairs were set up on either side of the bier for the family and close friends. We stood to pray as we gazed in awe at the figure of this man who had had such a profound effect on not only our lives, but those of so very many. There were no words to express the experience of being in the sacred space of St. Joseph’s Abbey and bearing witness to Father Thomas’ final communion.
As the morning progressed toward 11 am, individuals entered, paid their respects in silence, then quietly found a seat in preparation for the celebration of Mass. At 10:45 music from the organ filled the Abbey as people continued to soundlessly enter. At 11, the monks processed to the altar with one carrying a staff, likening to a shepard. Prior to the start of Mass, Celebrant Superior Dom Damian Carr read reflections from a letter that had been sent to Father Thomas by a woman who facilitates a CP group for women prisoners. She had recently shown the women A Rising Tide of Silence, Father Thomas’ life story. The letter contained heartfelt impressions from the women expressing a keen connection with God felt through Father Thomas that gave them a serene sense of hope, a view that visibly resonated with this attendant community.
Throughout the Mass, tears quietly flowed freely; whether it was the music, the readings, the homily, the eulogy, the keening, the monk’s chanting the litany of Salve Regina or simply the ancient rite of the Roman Catholic funeral Mass being lived out to contain both the grief and the gift of Father Thomas, there was a palpable mystical sense of being in a sacred place. At the end as the monks processed down the aisle with Father Thomas’ body on the bier, the heavens opened with a pounding rain on the Abbey roof; it was as though a mystical blessing of the world’s tears had been loosed.
Then, as the assembled congregants stood quite spellbound, an invitation was extended to all for a luncheon reception in the charter house where a delicious buffet of croissant sandwiches and finger pastries were offered. To be in the presence of so many of Father Thomas’ family, colleagues, collaborators and friends, and to be sharing in his homegoing created an unforgettable experience, drawing us all closer in divine love.
As we drove away from the Abbey we stopped at the bottom of the drive intending to pop out to peruse the bookstore. As we approached, a woman was leaving and exclaimed to us, “Can you believe this day?” “Father Thomas changed my life” and so he did for so very many of us throughout the world. Father Thomas, may you rest in eternal peace. We love you.
With Boundless Respect and Gratitude,
Two CT Centering Prayer Practitioners
The minute I learned that the funeral for Fr. Thomas at Spencer Abbey was open to the public, I made plans to go. It was such an honor to be there among his family and friends.
When I walked into the church I came upon his body there in front of the altar. I hadn’t expected that. I had never seen him in person. Thomas Keating had become larger than life to me. I’d spent so many hours reading his words, hearing his voice on audio CDs, seeing his image on video. His words, his voice, his teaching led me to a “place” that I’d only visited occasionally, fleetingly, or viewed conceptually.
I’m finding it difficult to express what I felt when I had the opportunity to pay my respect and stand near his body. Here was the person who extended the invitation to me to step into that inner room and onto that hidden path. No one had ever shown me a way to stay in that sacred space long enough to begin to regain my spiritual senses, my night vision.
It no longer matters how many more twists and turns may come or how long it takes for me to grow and fully open to God.Standing there in that church,among so many who love him, I know that the journey continues for Thomas and for all of us. We do not walk this path alone.
Thank God for the life of Thomas Keating. -- Frank
How I ached to be at the funeral. I always thought if at Spencer I would attend when the time came. I love Spencer and visit there when I can for the Liturgy of the Hours. Yet I know from the 25 men who attended Saturday’s Taste of Centering Prayer at HF that I was just where Fr. Thomas would have wanted me to be. Twenty three of them had never heard of CP or even knew the meaning of contemplative prayer. They were moved to hear that they were learning of the prayer practice on the day of his funeral.
I treasure the day I spent praying on the infirmary lawn shortly after Father’s arrival in Spencer from Snowmass and above all having been able to attend one of his workshops. -- Nancy
To our right lay expansive fields of green hugged by trees dressed in fall foliage; up ahead, as the drive crested, rose the Abbey….no signs, no one directing traffic...simply stillness. Not knowing quite where to go we ducked under the building overhang and cautiously walked around the side of the stately stone structure. There we came upon a red wooden door, which we opened and entered, then through another plain wooden door. As we stepped inside, a kindly monk inquired, “Family or Friends?” as he handed us a prayer card and directed us to where we would be sitting in the back public space. Then so very personally, he offered, “I’m sorry for your loss” to which we didn’t know quite what to say...it was unexpected, a reversal of the usual where visitors in relationship to the deceased express their sympathy to those closest to the departed, but then this was no ordinary experience. It was as though we were stepping into another world, for there was the body of Father Thomas, clothed in a white garment lying in a simple open pine box at the foot of the Abbey altar with a monk sitting vigil at the far end of the bier. About 40 folding chairs were set up on either side of the bier for the family and close friends. We stood to pray as we gazed in awe at the figure of this man who had had such a profound effect on not only our lives, but those of so very many. There were no words to express the experience of being in the sacred space of St. Joseph’s Abbey and bearing witness to Father Thomas’ final communion.
As the morning progressed toward 11 am, individuals entered, paid their respects in silence, then quietly found a seat in preparation for the celebration of Mass. At 10:45 music from the organ filled the Abbey as people continued to soundlessly enter. At 11, the monks processed to the altar with one carrying a staff, likening to a shepard. Prior to the start of Mass, Celebrant Superior Dom Damian Carr read reflections from a letter that had been sent to Father Thomas by a woman who facilitates a CP group for women prisoners. She had recently shown the women A Rising Tide of Silence, Father Thomas’ life story. The letter contained heartfelt impressions from the women expressing a keen connection with God felt through Father Thomas that gave them a serene sense of hope, a view that visibly resonated with this attendant community.
Throughout the Mass, tears quietly flowed freely; whether it was the music, the readings, the homily, the eulogy, the keening, the monk’s chanting the litany of Salve Regina or simply the ancient rite of the Roman Catholic funeral Mass being lived out to contain both the grief and the gift of Father Thomas, there was a palpable mystical sense of being in a sacred place. At the end as the monks processed down the aisle with Father Thomas’ body on the bier, the heavens opened with a pounding rain on the Abbey roof; it was as though a mystical blessing of the world’s tears had been loosed.
Then, as the assembled congregants stood quite spellbound, an invitation was extended to all for a luncheon reception in the charter house where a delicious buffet of croissant sandwiches and finger pastries were offered. To be in the presence of so many of Father Thomas’ family, colleagues, collaborators and friends, and to be sharing in his homegoing created an unforgettable experience, drawing us all closer in divine love.
As we drove away from the Abbey we stopped at the bottom of the drive intending to pop out to peruse the bookstore. As we approached, a woman was leaving and exclaimed to us, “Can you believe this day?” “Father Thomas changed my life” and so he did for so very many of us throughout the world. Father Thomas, may you rest in eternal peace. We love you.
With Boundless Respect and Gratitude,
Two CT Centering Prayer Practitioners
The minute I learned that the funeral for Fr. Thomas at Spencer Abbey was open to the public, I made plans to go. It was such an honor to be there among his family and friends.
When I walked into the church I came upon his body there in front of the altar. I hadn’t expected that. I had never seen him in person. Thomas Keating had become larger than life to me. I’d spent so many hours reading his words, hearing his voice on audio CDs, seeing his image on video. His words, his voice, his teaching led me to a “place” that I’d only visited occasionally, fleetingly, or viewed conceptually.
I’m finding it difficult to express what I felt when I had the opportunity to pay my respect and stand near his body. Here was the person who extended the invitation to me to step into that inner room and onto that hidden path. No one had ever shown me a way to stay in that sacred space long enough to begin to regain my spiritual senses, my night vision.
It no longer matters how many more twists and turns may come or how long it takes for me to grow and fully open to God.Standing there in that church,among so many who love him, I know that the journey continues for Thomas and for all of us. We do not walk this path alone.
Thank God for the life of Thomas Keating. -- Frank
How I ached to be at the funeral. I always thought if at Spencer I would attend when the time came. I love Spencer and visit there when I can for the Liturgy of the Hours. Yet I know from the 25 men who attended Saturday’s Taste of Centering Prayer at HF that I was just where Fr. Thomas would have wanted me to be. Twenty three of them had never heard of CP or even knew the meaning of contemplative prayer. They were moved to hear that they were learning of the prayer practice on the day of his funeral.
I treasure the day I spent praying on the infirmary lawn shortly after Father’s arrival in Spencer from Snowmass and above all having been able to attend one of his workshops. -- Nancy
