Anyone who has read my book might recall Basil. Basil is a priest, a much-beloved friend and one of the most significant people in my life. There just aren't enough words to adequately express how very precious Basil is, not only to me but to everyone who has ever met him.

I just came back from a trip to Nova Scotia, and had the opportunity to spend time with Basil. Basil has Lou Gehrig's disease and is almost completely physically incapacitated. He is bed-ridden, can no longer speak and communicates mostly by writing (also uses eyes and hand signals).

The reason I'm sharing is because despite being bedridden and incapacitated, Basil continues to live, breathe, communicate and radiate the Presence of God. Being in that room with him was like walking on Sacred Ground (I still don't want to wash my socks...LOL). It was amazing...I wept, not because of how this terrible disease has ravaged this precious man's body, but because when I kissed his cheek, I felt like I had kissed the face of God.

Just those few moments in his presence brought such immense inspiration, peace and sense of Presence. Sacred Space...we can never underestimate the power of God even in the midst of what to some might seem like empty powerlessness.

I didn't want to cover up Gims' post in the prayer section, but would ask anyone who is so inclined to keep Basil in prayer, not only that he will find rest from this horrid disease, but that he will continue to be a beacon of Presence and hope through his devotion to intercessory prayer and his desire to continue to be a conduit of God's love and Presence even from within his incapacitation.

Isn't it amazing Eagle how one person can personify all that we strive to be? God bless Basil and you as well.

Eagle Heart, I've read your words three times and feel blessed and inspired by your words, your insights, and Basil. Bless Basil and you. Thanks for sharing.

Eagle, I'm just seeing this. What a blessing he is and what a blessing you are to all of us. Isn't it amazing that someone who's been through as much as he has, can still be the light we are called to be when we are healthy and well, but fall so short?

Did you keep the notes he wrote while you were visiting?

I'm happy to carry Basil and you in my prayers.

What a wonderful treasure you have in your life. My heart is with both of you!

Thanks for your caring words, everyone.

JJ, Basil has been my mentor through so much over the past 30 years. He has definitely been my best "glimpse of God" and I will forever treasure his presence in my life.

Linda, no words could possibly convey the spiritual gift that Basil has been and continues to be to all who spend time with him. A very rare gift indeed. I could have written an entire book on Basil and still not have said enough.

Dotsie, I wanted to ask for the notes, but didn't. But I did copy the quote from Thomas Merton that Basil said was what he was living now. And he wrote about kneeling in the midst of the burning bush of his disease, and also about "this" "all of this" (disease, being bedridden, everything) as being Sacred Space. Amazing. And palpable.

Anno, he has been a rare and much-beloved treasure in the lives of everyone who knows him...words just cannot adequately describe how faithful he is and how, well, holy and sacred it feels to be in the same room with him. I don't mean to build him into something more than human, but there is no doubt in the heart of anyone who spends time with Basil that they have walked on Sacred Ground.

Eagle, thank you for sharing your friend's amazing soul with us, I feel my heart warming a bit.

My mom read Thomas Merton's "No Man Is An Island" to us when we were kids. (It took me a few readings to catch the drift of many passages)

Father Basil sounds like a gentle soul who radiates peace constantly outward. Yes, you and others are very lucky to call him friend and mentor.

God bless you both!

Is Father Basil still at St Peter's, Eagle? It's wonderful that you had the opportunity to visit him.

Hi Lola, Fr Basil has actually been bed-ridden for a few months now (in his sister's house - she's his primary caregiver) and is no longer able to be active in a parish. But the Archbishop of Halifax visited him and was deeply touched by Basil's spiritual presence, and continues to visit him regularly...he could also sense Basil's hunger to be a part of the diocese which he has so faithfully and lovingly served for his entire life, and so the Archbishop keeps him informed on all the going-ons and has given Basil the mandate to carry all the priests and the bishop himself in prayer. So it helps Basil to feel connected to his church community. Fr Louis (he was my parish priest at St Peter's) visits Basil regularly and celebrates Mass with him in Basil's bedroom.

I am SO happy and grateful that I had that opportunity to visit with him. He has always been a shining light in my life, but this was, well, nothing short of "sacred ground"...that time spent with him that afternoon is permanently etched in my heart as an afternoon spent in the Presence of God Himself.

I bet Father Basil was as happy that you managed to visit him, Eagle. Did you get the chance to meet up with the rest of those at your former Parish as well? Father Louis?

You must feel the way I did when I met Pope John Paul II. One does draw spiritual inspiration from the extraordinary dignity and holiness of individuals who bear up with such fortitude of faith despite their infirmities. And, we can only be blessed to have been given the opportunity to have had the chance to be witness to it.

We had the relics of St Theresa Liseux over here and I thought of you a lot and offered a prayer for your personal petitions.

Eagle, what a beautiful post, even though I'm saddened that Father Basil is suffering so much on the physical plane.

Our bodies may house our soul, but our soul is the light without which the house is meaningless. Just because the house is failing, does not mean that the light must dim.

Prayers for Father Basil.

I just wanted to post an update that Fr Basil Carew passed away on Christmas Eve. He passed very gently and peacefully. Although it's sad to see him go, his life was such an inspiration and his wisdom so profound, that he will live on forever, not only in my heart and life, but in every heart and life he ever touched with his care and kindness. Thank you Basil.

Eagle, how wild that he passed away on Christmas Eve. I think that's such a special day. It reminds me of my Irish mom leaving this world on St. Patrick's Day.

I'm sorry for your loss, but grateful for you recent visit.

Dotsie, that was the first thing I thought when I heard the news, that Christmas Eve seems like the perfect time for Basil to have gone Home to celebrate Christmas. I'm not sure why, but I feel more joy than sadness.

Probably because you know he's in a better place, and that you will see him again. Still hard to lose an earthly friend who was good at sharing comfort.

May father Basil rest in peace...And may he also be a source of comfort and strength to you in the "busy" days ahead.

Great point Josie. I totally believe in drawing strength from the deceased.

He's still here, I can sense his presence so strongly it takes my breath away. It's a profoundly spiritual presence, radiating light, calm, comfort and gentle joy...and softly whispering such heart-lifting words..."embrace your life, it's all gift", "be still and KNOW", "He [God] delights in your every breath, because every breath is a whisper of His love flowing through you"...this has been going on for two days now, and throughout the night...it's so rich and full and moving and filling. I'm just letting it all soak me in the Father's love.

Eagle Heart, you were blessed by his presence during life. Father Basil has gone to another realm, but his love and blessing stay with you always. Our corporeal connections are the least of it.

Eagle and Ms. Divine,
Your words are an inspiration. I've known people like Father Basil and know how you felt in the man's presence. Thank God
there are such people in this world!

It is always sad to lose those we love but but I try to imasgine them as angels watching over me. It does help.

Hi, Eagleheart - I am new to this forum, but saw this passage and had to respond. It is so beautiful that could spend time with this wonerful man and remind us of what lies within all of us, though sometimes we forget it's there - that beautiful essence of who we Truly are.

Blessings,
Patricia