Father Malchy McBride has been my friend for years; and I have written in this space about him before. But now he is dying and the life is slowly going forth from him. He still has his wit and keen insight and his genuine care for people. He's the Capuchin pictured at the far right in this picture. If you click the picture, the picture will become larger and you can see him better.
Every moment with Malachy is very important to me. He's the one who has been telling me for years, quoting St. John of the Cross, "I die because I do not die." It's a line from St. John's poem called "Stanzas of the soul that suffers with longing to see God." Click here to read the whole poem; and you will know Malachy McBride.
When I was visiting him earlier today at his friary, the house was empty but for a parishioner of Queen of Peace parish where Malachy has served for about 12 years. Don is his name. Since Don was sitting there, the Capuchins could take some time to go out to do chores or other tasks. Don's job was to be nearby and to manage the visitors who keep coming by. So, as I was leaving after a visit with Malachy I said to Don, "How good of you to be here and do what you're doing!" To which he said, "Oh, this is so little compared to all the good Malachy has done for me and for many, many people." I am one of those many, many people.
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