A few weeks ago I went to a Mass and Luncheon celebrating our dear Father Lambert Greenan's 80th year as a Dominican. That's right- 80 years! How beautiful. He lives in a local convent and has the happiest Sisters to help him in his golden years (he's 96 years old and just as articulate and funny as ever!)
Our Bishop, our former Bishop, the head of the Dominicans in Ireland, and the head of the Northeast United States Dominicans, along with many other priests and deacons, all came to celebrate this man who has given all his life to the Church. They all said it's the only time they've gotten to celebrate a 80-year anniversary like this.
Father Lambert grew up in Ireland in a home with four boys. Two of his brothers became medical doctors and he and his other brother became Dominican priests- spiritual doctors. He entered the order when he was 16 years old. That is him the suit, giving all he had to his King in 1933.
He had to get a special dispensation to be ordained a priest in his very early 20s.
Father is the most amazing man. At lunch he told us all his three favorite moments from his priesthood and only then did I realize how he was a key person for so many amazing things that have happened in the church worldwide. He is devout, orthodox and will tell you right out the things he doesn't care for!
After Father talked and joked he asked us all to sing "The Holy City", which is his favorite song. As we sang to the music, he closed his now-blind eyes and conducted with his hands leading us with is precious Irish voice. Not a dry eye in the room. This precious soul has given his life to the Lord- the Love of his life.
Last night I lay a-sleeping
There came a dream so fair,
I stood in old Jerusalem
Beside the temple there.
I heard the children singing,
And ever as they sang
Methought the voice of angels
From heaven in answer rang,
Methought the voice of angels
From heaven in answer rang.
Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Lift up your gates and sing,
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna to your King!
And then methought my dream was changed,
The streets no longer rang.
Hushed were the glad Hosannas
The little children sang.
The sun grew dark with mystery,
The morn was cold and chill,
As the shadow of a cross arose
Upon a lonely hill,
As the shadow of a cross arose
Upon a lonely hill.
Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Hark! How the angels sing,
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna to your King!
And once again the scene was changed,
New earth there seemed to be.
I saw the Holy City
Beside the tideless sea.
The light of God was on its streets,
The gates were open wide,
And all who would might enter,
And no one was denied.
No need of moon or stars by night,
Or sun to shine by day;
It was the new Jerusalem
That would not pass away,
It was the new Jerusalem
That would not pass away.
Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Sing for the night is o'er!
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna forevermore!
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna forevermore!
