... fast falls the eventide.

I served the Traditional High Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Cincinnati this morning, always a delight that does the heart good. And speaking of hearts, it was from my vantage point at the foot of the altar, that I witnessed this depiction of the mystical vision in 1673, of Marguerite Marie Alacoque.

They say that a healthy adult can survive for two weeks, maybe a bit more, without food, but only three or four days without water. My father is now having difficulty swallowing, and has not taken in any liquid nourishment since Friday evening. He is being fed his antibiotics and a morphine derivative orally with an eye dropper. That is all he can manage. Hospice care does not provide for an IV feeding tube, but it doesn't matter. His body is shutting down, unable to process any sustenance provided in any case.

When she is awake, Mom sits next to the bed and holds his hand. The siblings are taking shifts of six to eight hours. Pat was working on word puzzles, and between that and Mom, learned varieties of apples she never knew existed. I probably won't be nearly as exciting for conversation, but my shift starts at 11 tonight, and goes until 6 in the morning, so it hardly matters. I won't be able to sleep, checking on Dad periodically. I will pray the Penitential Psalms, and prayers from the Vespers of the Dead. Maybe a rosary somewhere in there. Not to mention watch TV on my phone.

We continue to receive good wishes and spiritual bouquets from our many friends and avid readers. For this we are truly grateful. The Castle Church in Wittenburg, Germany, is the setting for this rendition of “E’en So Lord Jesus Quickly Come” composed by Paul Manz and sung by the Kansas City Chorale. (H/T to Dad29.)

Peace be to you and grace from Him
Who freed us from our sin
Who loved us all, and shed his blood
That we might saved be.

Sing holy, holy to our Lord
The Lord almighty God
Who was and is, and is to come
Sing holy, holy Lord.

Rejoice in heaven, all ye that dwell therein
Rejoice on earth, ye saints below
For Christ is coming, Is coming soon
For Christ is coming soon.

E'en so Lord Jesus quickly come
And night shall be no more
They need no light, no lamp, nor sun
For Christ will be their All!

It won't be long now.

POSTSCRIPT: Is it just me, or is a Mass at a retirement and/or nursing facility the last place you would want to serve Communion from a common Cup? Discuss.