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behold a great priest: reflections at the liturgy of Christian burial for Msgr. Bernard l. voss by Bishop edward k. braxton r

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ:
On Easter Sunday morning, when Monsignor Bernard Voss was celebrating Mass for the last time, I was celebrating Mass here in St. Henry Church. I told Christian Faithful then that since his health problems were many and serious, I did not know when or if their Pastor would return. I urged his dear parishioners to continue to pray for him. After the Mass, I walked around his rose garden, which he enjoyed so much. Only a few of the buds were beginning to bloom. This morning, they are all in radiant full bloom, just as he is. Some of his flowers, with their many colors and wonderful fragrance, have surrounded his bier during the visitation.

Earlier this week, on Monday evening, I celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Herrin, without electricity, due to the storm. After the ceremony, I asked Fr. Von Deeke, my Master of Ceremonies, to drive to the Herrin cemetery so I could pray at the grave of dear Father John L. Venegoni, who died on October 11, 2007. When our prayers were concluded, I prayed a quiet prayer for Monsignor Voss. I had visited him a few days earlier and I feared I might not see him alive again. Early Tuesday morning, his brother, Father Dennis Voss, called and informed me that dear Monsignor Bernard Lawrence Voss, a relatively young man in his 69th year, had died at 2:05 that morning. He died at Aviston Countryside Manor, which had become a second home between his frequent stays at St. Elizabeth Hospital.

Dear Father Dennis, I am very aware that the death of your younger brother, Bernie, is a source of deep sorrow for you and all of the members of your family: your sisters, Betty Ann, Mary Frances, and your brother, Regis, their spouses, and the extended family. I share your grief in the face of the death of a good and faithful priest. During the past fourteen months, as your brother endured one health crisis after another, I have observed your love, concern, and devotion. I know from profoundly painful personal experience what it is like to care for a dear brother during a period of critical illness. Perhaps the most difficult part of this ordeal is the feeling of helplessness in the face of sickness and suffering, which our human efforts cannot overcome or comprehend. You and your family can take some comfort from the fact that you cared for him and loved him each day with complete unselfishness. Even when you were weary, you always placed his needs above your own.

During my visits and conversations with Monsignor Voss over the past four years, I came to appreciate his quiet, humble, unassuming approach to his ministry. Every time I came to celebrate Mass for Althoff Catholic High School in this church, he was always present, offering his assistance. From my first days in the Diocese, I experienced his support, encouragement, and respect. We had a number of very fruitful, usually brief, conversations. I noted with admiration the non-confrontational manner in which he distanced himself from conflict, criticism and argument. Some of our conversations touched on sensitive matters. Yet, I never heard him utter an unkind word about anyone. Never! He devoted his energies primarily to the pastoral care of the Christian Faithful in St. Henry Parish, to whom he was completely dedicated since 1982.

He did so much good for so many for so long. Almost every time I visited him in the hospital, I met a doctor, nurse, patient, staff person, or visitor, who shared a treasured memory of Monsignor Voss’s Christ inspired ministry. “Sure, I remember Fr. Bernie, he witnessed my wedding.” “He baptized my children.” “He took care of my mother when she was so sick.” “He celebrated the Funeral Mass for my father.” “He helped our family when we in need.” “He looked out for our son when he was in trouble.” I know, Father Dennis, how much you, your family, and his beloved parishioners will miss him. Know that I, too, will miss him. Your homily calls to mind a lighter moment. After he lost his trademark mane of red hair after the chemotherapy I asked him how he felt. He said, “It doesn’t bother me. Maybe, if I get to heaven, nobody will call me “Red!”

Monsignor Voss’s life as a priest began and now ends in this Church of St. Henry. He was ordained a priest here in this sanctuary by my predecessor, The Most Reverend Albert R. Zuroweste, on May 7, 1966, during the renovation of the cathedral. In the Ordination Liturgy, the Bishop said to him, “Understand what you do. Imitate what you celebrate. And conform your life to the mystery of the Lord’s Cross!”

And that is exactly what he did! He uttered not a word of complaint in the face of the impenetrable mystery of innocent suffering. His life was conformed to the mystery of the Lord’s Cross. As his physical stature diminished, his spiritual stature grew. His body became like the wheat and grapes crushed into the Bread and Wine of the Body and Blood of Christ. He made me think of a character from a Flannery O’Connor short story. In the crucible of suffering, any faults he may have had were burned away. And his many virtues were polished into brightness, like the radiance of the stars.

Now we must take our leave of Monsignor Voss in this life. All we can do now, as we prepare to take his eminently gentle remains to their place of burial, is to pray for him and imitate his virtues. Dear Dennis, may the angels lead your brother into Paradise. May Lazarus, and your father, Lawrence, your mother, Marie, your brother, Linus, and all of the faithful parishioners Father Bernie cared for at the hour of death, now greet him and welcome him into the eternal Eucharist of the Kingdom of Heaven. They will surely greet him with the same words of praise we speak at this leave-taking:

“Ecce sacerdos magnus, qui in diebus suis, placuit Deo, et inventus es iustus.”
“Behold a great priest, who in his days, was pleasing to God and has been found to be a just man!”
Ecce sacerdos magnus, a great priest indeed! AMEN!