Seán Collins, OFM 1945 - 2007
It is with regret and sadness that the ICMA learned of the death on Monday, 24th December, of Seán Collins, OFM, former director of the National Centre for Liturgy – then called the Irish Institute of Pastoral Liturgy, in its former home in St Patrick's Seminary in Carlow – and former national secretary for liturgy.
Seán was born in Ennis, Co. Clare on 20th October 1945, made his simple profession as a Franciscan on 4th October 1963, his solemn profession on 21st October 1966 and was ordained priest on 15th July 1972.
Seán studied at University College Galway, the Catholic University of Louvain and the Antonianum in Rome before taking a doctorate in liturgy at Sant Anselmo, Rome in 1982. He taught liturgy at the Antonianum, the Beda College, Rome before returning to Ireland to teach at the Milltown Institute.
In 1984 Seán came to the Liturgy Centre in Carlow, as assistant director, and in 1986 succeeded the late Mgr Seán Swayne as director and national secretary for liturgy, a position he held for six years. Seán also served on the national agencies in liturgy, church music and sacred art and architecture and more recently as a member of an Coiste Comhairleach um an Liotúirge i nGaeilge. He was also an advisor to the International Commission on English in the Liturgy.
As a Fransciscan he fulfilled various services in the Irish Province: assistant novice master, guardian (at Multyfarnham Abbey), Definitor and Vicar Provincial. He also served the Order as a translator at various international congresses and general chapters. He was Definitor General (1997-2003) and Visitator to the province of India (2006).
He was appointed General Secretary of the Franciscan Order in November 2006 and took up his appointment in January 2007. At the end of June, before returning to Ireland to seek treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Seán received, at his own request, the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick at the hands of the Minister General of the Franciscan Order, José Rodríguez Carballo, OFM, giving a moving testimony to the Fraternity of the General Curia:
“I was a teacher of the sacraments for many years. I used to teach my students that the sacrament contains and offers the grace it signifies. This sacrament is medicine for the body and the soul. I am confident that the Lord, through it, will help me in those times of physical weakness and trial … I am serene and confident in the Lord…”.
Seán was buried following mass on Thursday, 27th December in Multyfarnham, Co. Westmeath.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Rev. Lucien Deiss, C.S.Sp. 1921 – 2007
On Tuesday, October 9, 2007, Reverend Lucien Deiss, C.S.Sp., celebrated what he often referred to as ‘the most joyful day of my life’ in returning home to be with his Lord. His funeral was celebrated on Saturday, October 13 at Seminaire des Missiones in Larue, France.
Best known to Roman Catholics through his scriptural songs such as ‘All the Earth’ ‘Keep in Mind’ and ‘Grant to Us, O Lord,’ Fr. Deiss was also widely known in Europe and the United States as a scholar in the fields of Sacred Scripture and Patristics. He was selected by Pope Paul VI to coordinate the Lectionary psalter following the Second Vatican Council. His ‘Biblical Hymns and Psalms’ was the first significant way that millions of Catholics came to sing the Word of God and treasure it in their hearts. For this he was given an honorary Doctorate in Sacred Music from Duquesne University in the U.S.
A tireless advocate of the reforms of Vatican II, Fr. Deiss continually encouraged those who worked in liturgical reform to remain fervent in prayer to the Holy Spirit, and he dedicated much of his life to liturgical catechesis through workshops and the well-known ‘Deiss days’ sponsored by his American publisher, WLP (then World Library of Sacred Music). He was, above all, a man of prayer, dedicated to the celebration of the Eucharist, and was always filled with a gentle and loving humour.
While we mourn the passing of Fr. Lucien Deiss, we share in his joy as he lives and sings for all ages in the eternal light of his Risen Saviour.
Keep in Mind that Jesus Christ has died for us and is risen from the dead. He is our saving Lord. He is joy for all ages! |
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Fr. Deiss' compositions are published by World Library Publications.
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