Catholic Priest Fr. Patrick Mc Ceffrey laid to rest in Lahore

Lahore, Pakistan: May 25, 2010, (PCTV Newsdesk)


(Fr.Tomas King SSC) May 20,2010: The funeral Mass took place in Sacred Heart, Cathedral, Lahore on Thursday, 20th May at 3.00pm. Concurrently, a Mass was being celebrated in his home parish of Tempo by his class mate Pat Raleigh, being main celebrant.   

The body arrived in the cathedral from the morgue at 2.30 for viewing. The 'Last Look' is an important custom in the culture. While people were filing past the coffin the rosary was recited. Archbishop Lawrence Saldana of Lahore was the main celebrant assisted by the auxiliary bishop Sebastian Shah ofm and Joseph Coutts, Bishop of Faisalabad,  formally of Hyderabad and a friend of Pat and the Columbans since their arrival in Pakistan. More than 50 priests from the diocese and beyond attended.                

In the introduction to the Mass Aquif Shazad from the Columban JPIC team gave a brief biography of Pat's life, after which after which symbols from the various countries that Pat lived and worked in were placed on the coffin. The choir sang some of Pat's favorite Urdu and Punjabi hymns. I gave the homily. The cathedral was packed. It was a moving liturgy and many tears were shed.               

Afterwards the body was taken to St. Columban's Parish, Greentown on the outskirts of Lahore city. Here he was welcomed by roughly 2000 people from all corners of the parish who were unable to make it to the cathedral. The body was placed in the small church and people lined up and filed past for the 'Last Look.' Again, many tears were shed and prayers said. The grave yard is just to the back of the church and high school. The grave itself is literally a minutes walk from the church through the church compound entrance. But the people preferred to carry the coffin the long route around to the main entrance, giving as many men as possible an opportunity to carry the coffin.        

The grave chosen was under a mature 'people' tree. Prayers at the graveside were led by Joe Joyce and Gabriel Rojas. After the coffin was laid in the grave, as is custom, all present throw a fistful of clay over the coffin. As many women as men were present. While it is changing in Christian circles, it's still uncommon for women to go to graveyards for burials.

Darkness had fallen by the time the grave had been covered in, after which it was covered in rose petals and flowers. Incense sticks and candles were lit.        

Pat had been laid to rest under the Lahore sky as the light from the many candles pushed back the darkness and the smoke from the incense sticks carried the prayers of those present, prayers that expressed a hope and belief that he continues to be among us. It was very difficult to walk away. Rest in peace good and faithful servant.

All proceedings were recorded at Pat's family's request.  It was also recorded by a new Catholic TV station which broadcasts within certain parts of Lahore city.