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The Passing of our Fr. Matt Torpey
On the last Wednesday of the month, we have our retreat day. It is a day when our schedule is simplified, and there is only necessary work. Our first office of the day, which is named Vigils, is toned down. Except for the responsorial psalm, and the opening hymn, the office is said in the dark, the six psalms broken down into two sections, separated by a scripture reading, and then we only have five minutes of meditation, instead of the usual 30 minutes. We also have a second reading by a writer from our past after the last three psalms are read.
Right after the hymn, we sat down to listen to the psalms, when my phone vibrated. It was Fr. Gerard asking me to please come up as quickly as possible to the Infirmary. I knew what it was about. Our Fr. Matt who has been in our Infirmary for many years has been declining over the past week or so. When I arrived at his room, he was near death, in his final struggle, which was peaceful.
In moments such as these, all that can be done is to pray and hold onto his hand. We both prayed for his peaceful passing into eternal life. Fr. Gerard sang the Hail Mary, and I recited the chaplet of Divine Mercy, which is often said at the bedside of the dying by Catholics.
I went back to Vigils and announced that he had passed, and after vigils, we would process up to the Infirmary to say the last prayers for Fr. Matt, after the Toll was rung.
After Vigils, we processed up to his room as a community and after everyone was there we said the prayer for Fr. Matt’s soul, and that he would have a peaceful passing into eternal life.
Fr. Matt had a great influence on my life. When I was a young monk, from 25 until I was around 35, he was my Spiritual Director. He was excellent and helped me to learn how to navigate my own inner domain in faith and trust in God’s love and presence in my soul. He taught me not to fear anything that I encountered, but to walk through with as much peace as I could. Even if I was not at peace he told me, still trust.
He helped many monks on their spiritual path, as well as many who came here to visit on a regular basis. He was kind and gentle, as well as at times like all humans could be a tad stubborn, ok very stubborn. However, often what we call stubborn, is in fact an often misunderstood virtue. We do have to be true to ourselves while listening to others, but not always agree with them.
We were honored as a community to partake in his care. Br. Emilio, Fr. Gerard, and Sr. Beatrice were very loving with Fr. Matt, and took very good care of him. I was honored to work the first shift for the past three years to do my little part as well. Br. James, Sister Ana Maria, Fr. Peter Damian, Br. Juan Diego and Fr. Francis Michael, were also good and loving caregivers for Fr. Matt. The abbot, Dom Augustine, was always a good loving shepherd for Matt, showing great concern for his wellbeing.
He was loved for his wisdom, gentleness, and wit. He will be missed, and his absence will leave a void that can only lessen but will always be there for those who knew and loved
Not sure when the funeral will be, but most likely, it will be on Monday. I will keep everyone posted.-Br.MD
