Just sent this to the editor of the Omaha Catholic Voice -- My teacher, mentor and friend, Monsignor Lorenzo Albacete, died October 24. He was an amazing man – bright, funny and unforgettable. He touched so many lives. His obituaries in various Catholic and secular outlets describe a man who was a friend of popes, highbrow literary figures, renowned scientists and thousands of ordinary people. He was a space physicist before Blessed Pope Paul VI invited him to consider the priesthood. Ordained for the Archdiocese of Washington in 1973, he served in parishes, studied theology in Rome and taught for years. He was a gifted theologian and an apostle to countless souls in search of meaning. I first encountered him 25 years ago at the John Paul II Institute in Washington. What a blessing it was to learn the Theology of the Body from this man; to follow his deep insights to the plays of Karol Wojtyla and to marvel as he shared the prophetic vision of Blessed Paul VI. He could have you rolling in the aisles laughing and five minutes later soaring to mystical heights or pondering the truth at the core of your being. Folks couldnt get enough of him. His wit, wisdom and presence opened people to Christ in ways they had never before experienced. He became a close friend of Servant of God Luigi Giussani, founder of the ecclesial movement Communion and Liberation (CL) and served the movement in the final decades of his life. In those years, he fielded questions about the Gospel from Fidel Castro; debated famous atheist Christopher Hitchens; appeared in PBS Frontline programs on Pope John Paul II and Doubt and Faith at Ground Zero; and guided the annual New York Experience and other activities of CL. But what he did best was witness to Jesus. When you met Lorenzo Albacete, you met Christ. He was a kerygmatic presence – a living testimony to the mystery of the Word made flesh. In the dozens of recollections and tributes posted on a memorial website, one theme is constant: Lorenzo was authentic and deeply human, a man with unwavering faith in Jesus Christ Incarnate. His message was simple: the Divine Word became flesh for us and in the flesh is risen victorious. One of his friends wrote, “I felt completely embraced by an absolutely free man who lived the victory of Christ.” Another said, “With only a few words he spoke the love of God to me. It was enough to fill me, penetrate my defenses and scatter my fears.” The final words of Monsignor Albacete say it all. “Jesus always comes. He wants to be with us.” Farewell, dear friend. May the angels lead you into paradise. Amen.
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 16:28:38 +0000