15.11.2021
‘Suffering passes, memory remains forever’ – Service of Light honours those who died in pandemic times
Lives lost from our diocesan community during the pandemic were honoured at a Service of Light which took place in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin yesterday, Remembrance Sunday (November 14). The beautiful reflective service aimed to give people space to remember their loved ones and recognised the enormous impact Covid restrictions have had on grief and mourning.
During the service the names of 90 people from the diocese who have died since the start of the pandemic were read out. Members of the congregation were invited to come forward to light candles in memory of their loved ones. Duruflé’s Requiem was sung by the Cathedral Choir.
Dean Dermot Dunne told the congregation that each came bearing their own hurts, sorrows and brokenness.
“As we light our candles we offer our wounds to the God who loves us deeply, carries our pain and bears our sorrows,” he said. “I invite each of you to come forward and light a candle. As you light the candle, remember that it is God who lights a candle in our darkness and holds us close until we are able to shine.”
Archbishop Michael Jackson said: “These lights in their brightness are only symbols, but as they burn and finally go out, we remember that suffering passes, though memory remains forever. As we have gathered in this place, we embrace and claim the darkness that is present both in the world and in our own lives. As people who are familiar with darkness, we also know that we gather to be illumined by the light of the Christ.”
