“The Catholic funeral liturgy expresses all sides of the mystery of death.” Those were the words of the late Bishop Peter Elliott, who was farewelled yesterday at a Solemn Pontifical Requiem Mass held at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne. Source: Melbourne Catholic.
Death and life were topics the late bishop often wrote about, as one of the Church’s leading scholars in the art of the sacred liturgy.
Yesterday’s liturgical celebration – with each reading, hymn and liturgical vestment personally chosen by the late bishop – was a beautiful expression of life’s triumph over death.
“Our rites, especially the Mass for the Dead, are not mere memorial services,” Bishop Elliott once wrote.
“In the Communion of saints, we are joined to millions of believers who have died before us. We can help them by our prayers. They can pray for us. We hope that one day we will all rejoice together in heaven.”
Melbourne Archbishop Peter A Comensoli was the principal celebrant of the Mass, with concelebrating bishops and priests from across Australia.
In his welcome, the Archbishop made particular mention of Bishop Elliott’s brother, Paul, and his wife Gillian, who helped care for Bishop Elliott in his final days. He also welcomed the many priests, bishops, deacons, apostolic and lay leaders who had worked with the late bishop over the years.
“Among us today, I wish to acknowledge those who have been on the journey of faith and mission with Bishop Peter, especially in education and intellectual endeavours, liturgical renewal, marriage and family support,” Archbishop Comensoli said.
In a touching moment during the celebration, Bishop Elliott’s niece, Vanessa shared, a surprising discovery that had somehow made its way to her: a letter to a young Peter Elliott from CS Lewis. “In 1954, the Elliott family struck up a friendship with CS Lewis and [his wife] Joy Gresham,” she said, with the famous author encouraging the young Peter in his drawings.
During his homily, Lismore Bishop Emeritus Geoffrey Jarrett described Bishop Elliott’s “extraordinary” gift for promoting the sacred liturgy, “illuminating its meaning and describing its proper celebration”.
This gift, Bishop Jarrett said, was likely influenced by Bishop Elliott’s early life and formation as the son of an Anglican vicar.
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To know, worship and love: Requiem Mass held to farewell Bishop Peter Elliott (Melbourne Catholic)
