Death of a Living Saint

Father Marie-Dominique Philippe, o.p., founder of the Community of Saint John, died peacefully on Saturday morning August 26, 2006, at the priory of Saint Jodard (France). He was being taken care of there since his stroke on July 20. He was going to be 94 years old on September 8.Until the funeral day, the brothers and sisters keep vigil around him in the brother's chapel in Saint Jodard. The vigil is opened to all who wish to participate.The funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday September 2 at 10:30 am at the Cathedral of Lyons. It will be presided by Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, archbishop of Lyons.In the afternoon, Father Marie-Dominique will be buried in the cimetery of Rimont, in the intimacy of the Family of Saint John (brothers, sisters and oblates).In thanksgiving for all they have received through him, the members of the Family of Saint John entrust him to the prayer of all.


It is with great sadness that I found out that the founder of the Community of St John passed away over the weekend. For those of you new to the Frassati Society, the Community of St. John began in France and has sites also in Texas and Illinois. The Frassati Society has been blessed to sends some of its members to a Holy Week retreat with the Community each year in Illinois. All who have gone find the time spent there to be spiritually and physically refreshing. Also, the opportunity to focus on uniting ourselves with the Lord during Holy Week is life changing. If you would like to see more about the Community go to: www.stjean.com.

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord, Lord, hear my voice.

Let your ears attend to the voice of my supplication.

If you, O Lord, should mark our guilt, Lord, who could survive?

But there is forgiveness in you, and we revere you for it.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watch-men for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the Lord!

For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with Him is plenteous redemption. And He will redeem Israel from all iniquities.
---Psalm 130

Eternal rest grant unto Fr. Philippe, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.