MORNING BLESSING

Every morning,
Father Mason backed his car,
from the white frame shed,
along the high east wall
of the orphanage,
just as Sisters of St. Francis
led the children
in two silent columns
to their morning meal.

And always,
bringing to,
the sliding door,
of his barn-like shed,
he'd come around
the passenger side,
of his idling car,
just to give
a friendly wave
to the children
passing down the way,
whose hearts, quite touched,
returned his wave.

Strapping and athletic,
his bearing tall,
a spirit, friendly
and
wide-open,
his thoughts,
lofty as an oak,
this was Father Mason,
diocesan director
of Catholic youth,
and
priest in residence,
at St. Vincent's Orphans' Home.

Renowned athlete
of Boston College,
he chose to serve the Lord
through His poor.

(August 28, 2000)