The Ave Maria ringer
April 9th, 2011 by John MorrisThe Ave Maria is sung after the communion at Catholic funeral masses. It is often performed by a singer other than the usual song leader. The singer is usually a female selected by the family for just this purpose. I call her the Ave Maria ringer. Each time I hear these women sign this song I think of my Dad.
Dad died after a long bout with heart disease. He was an ideal patient and lived longer than the Doctors expected. This extra time allowed me to deal with his decline in small doses. During this phase, my tears leak out slowly, and when he died, I had closure. However, I had problems crying for my Dad. I wondered if I was repressing my emotions. A savvy, older cousin even counseled me to let the tears out. He knew what I was going through.
My time did come during the Ave Maria sung at my Dad’s funeral mass. Hot tears filled my eyes and drifted down my face. I felt release and gratitude.
Now, whenever I hear the introductory bells for the Ave Maria, I think of my Dad. I remember the man who dealt with his illness with strength and dignity. The tears come again, and I feel better each time the final bells close the song down.
Maybe the Ave Maria is the song best suited to bring memories of my Dad. Its English version, the Hail Mary is recited fifty-three times during my Dad’s favorite daily prayer regime, the rosary.
It pleases me to have this memory.
