Comments on:

By: Charlene Rodrigue Hutchings

Charlene Rodrigue Hutchings — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:23:44 +0000

I was so sorry to learn of Brother Paul’s death. I cherish my memories of him at St. John’s House in Durham in the late 1980’s – his compassion, his wisdom, and his gentleness. I have and will continue to remember all of you in my prayers.

By: John Gill

John Gill — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:39:09 +0000

Fr. Wessinger prepared me and heard my first confession when I was at ETS in the mid-1950s, and remained my confessor until I moved on to other places. What a giant of the faith. I tremble anew remembering the grace of his presence. That my religion survived and endured I owe entirely to the Society of St John The Evagelist, to Father Williams and Father Clayton, to Father Gross and above all to Fr Wessinger.

By: charles dickinson-marks

charles dickinson-marks — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:00:33 +0000

I met Father Paul in 1954.We had some long talks about my interest in the religious life.I had come to the monastery at the suggestion of my great uncle who was my pastor.I have so often reflected on those three days visit and the warmth /love which Father extended to me as he helped me to reflect .His perception led him to place me in the hands of Father Everett who became my confessor and surrogate father.I went on to college in New Mexico, and over those four years Father Wessinger wpuld send little notes of inquiry,enciouragement and guidance.I visited him once in 1979, he seemed to have been pleased that I found a career in which I seemed to be a natural.I subscriber to Cowley in order to stay in touch, and never lost an opportunity to send him a greeting as now I have been doing in my prayers for his joyful homecoming; thank God

By: Brian Shaw

Brian Shaw — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:55:10 +0000

Br. Paul’s spirit was so gentle and sweet. While I was at a “Come & See” Vocations Weekend I asked Br. Paul, “How have you changed or experienced God after all the years of being a monk?” He stated, “After all the years of praying and studying, all I know is that God is love.” I will never forget that and hold that dear to my heart. Br. Paul is now experiencing the fullest love by seeing the face of God at this time. Eternal love to you Br. Paul.

By: Barbara Mathues

Barbara Mathues — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:52:39 +0000

I remember Paul from my many visits at “980″. He was such a caring and open individual. I was introduced to him in an article by Tom Shaw many years ago when I first came to SSJE. Was it 1984?
I thought what compassion this person has. Then I watched and heard his sermons when I was lucky enough to be at SSJE. I even had him as a director one time! Paul taught me much about myself- he
was a wise person who loved God.

By: Louis Cavaliere

Louis Cavaliere — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:19:22 +0000

A truly compassionate human being.
“Non nobis Domini non nobis;
sed nomina tuam da gloriam.”

By: The Rev. Dr. Alla Bozarth

The Rev. Dr. Alla Bozarth — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:27:47 +0000

Fare well, Brother Paul! You were always an ambassador from the angels on Earth, whether in rich conversation, tending your beautiful gardens or baking your wonderful breads. You will be missed in these mortal realms, dear Friend of Creation.

Soulboat

May you be launched in fair weather,
with the wind at your back
and the shining stars streaming you through
the whole map of heaven.

May your strong sails of bright silk billow,
proud and free with the sun’s golden blessing,
and carry you, safe and well
and all the way home.

Alla Renée Bozarth

By: Beverley Edminster

Beverley Edminster — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 04:29:10 +0000

Fr. Paul was the kindest most loving man I have ever had the privilege to know. He came into my
life when I was lost, and with love and understanding, he guided my spritual growth. What a good and faithful servant of God – and what a blessing to all who knew him. His unfailing faith was like a beacon of light toward Christ.

By: Elizabeth Kaeton

Elizabeth Kaeton — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:35:46 +0000

I treasure a handwritten note sent to me by Br. Paul, which arrived in time for the service wherein I was installed as Canon Missioner to The Oasis, a ministry with LGBT Christians in the Diocese of Newark. “If you have the courage to be who you are, who God made you,” he wrote in part, “you have courage enough to do this work of ministry.” I will miss Br. Paul’s courage, his wisdom, and his kindness. May he rest in peace and rise in Glory.

By: William Winston

William Winston — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:46:59 +0000

Charlotte and I met Paul many years ago when he was Superior and we were making our first visit to the monastery. He was both a deep well of serenity and welcome, and also a sort of Auntie Mame. He opened new vistas for the both of us and continued to make us know and feel that we were always at our true earthly home at 980 Memorial. Unflappable in the presence of silliness, he was a true model of “the peace which passes understanding” for me “outside the walls”, but I’ve often wondered what agonies he endured as he made those momentous changes “within the walls” that caused such great pain and made a real mark on SSJE today. I’ve filled a Blue Box out of gratitude for Paul’s live and ministry. Rest in peace.

By: Jim Newman

Jim Newman — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:48:27 +0000

I had hoped to return to Boston to experience Paul’s presence one last time. Alas, that did not happen. Not only was the experience of his presence the sharing of Holy Ground, but the reality of our prayers and the space between us — even at the great distance of a continent. I am thankful for time times together and for his presence even at a distance and now with the Saints.

By: Bea and Don Almquist

Bea and Don Almquist — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:57:16 +0000

Dear Brothers of Paul Wessinger. We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to you over the death of Paul. He was a very remarkable man and we always enjoyed our visits with him.

By: Polly Henninger

Polly Henninger — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:30:25 +0000

Brother Paul embodied the authenticity, clarity and integrity of a true follower of Christ. His personhood seemed to fill the chapel. He lived and modeled the life of a monk, the humility and also the leadership. I am so grateful to have known him. I sought his counsel when I was trying to decide whether to stay in Cambridge or return to California where my aging mother needed someone. I feared that if I left Cambridge, I wouldn’t return. He wisely opened me to the moment, recognizing that what I did at that time didn’t define later moments. His advice was not that of a friend or therapist, but of a believer. He shifted me from chronos time to kairos. Now I attend an Anglo-Catholic parish in Glendale, California, in large part because it gives me the sense of comfort and the feeling after the service that I truly have worshipped, reminiscent of the monastery. The rector went to General Seminary where his spiritual advisor was Brother Paul.

By: Clare Edwards

Clare Edwards — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:51:40 +0000

Thank you for sending news of Br. Paul’s death. The photo you include is so him! I always found Br. Paul to be gracious, thoughtful and encouraging. We had good conversations about his hopes for the church and the religious life in England. He embraced the changes that took him to the Jeanne Jugan residence and I enjoyed vsiting him there. Though he spoke of missing conversation he also spoke of the gift of still being able to read his theological books. We will include him in the prayers here at the cathedral in Canterbury, giving thanks for his particular links with the church in England. May he indeed rest in peace and rise in glory.

By: Constance A. Hammond

Constance A. Hammond — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 18:34:37 +0000

It was because of Paul that I became a member of the Fellowship of Saint John at SSJE. As you are most likely aware, Paul opened the monastery for those inside and those outside, helping us all to gain a greater meaning of the church in the world—and the world in the church. Because of his groundbreaking efforts for women in the church—both lay and ordained—I later was blessed to become SSJE’s first woman deacon at their Tuesday community service. This experience gave me a deeper, almost cellular, feel for the pacing and reverential nature of our liturgy.

While in Cambridge, in and out of seminary, Paul and I became friends. This was before I knew of his family connections in Portland. When his brother died, and Paul came out to Portland for the service, I went and was surprised to find who Paul is, in Oregon and Portland terms. (Before that, he was just my Cambridge friend, Br. Paul, whom I picked up for meals, when he was visiting in Portland.) When I served in Walla Walla and Dayton, WA, Paul told me about his family’s ties to that area. When I served in Aberdeen, WA, again, Paul and his family had ties to Gray’s Harbor. Wherever I went, be it to Virginia Theological Seminary for classes, or to other cities as a priest, Paul had ties. When we were in the same city, we met, we ate, we engaged in theological, political and spiritual discussions—all spirited! I shall greatly miss talking and listening and Be-ing with Paul when I return home to Cambridge. It saddens me that I can not be in Cambridge for the celebration of his life. While I have celebrated the eucharist in his name, and remembered him in many a thankful prayer, I shall miss being with all who come to celebrate together, a man known—a very prophetic man—a man of great wisdom and compassion and grace—a man with a delightful wit!—a man who embodied the very best of the spirit of Christ, who walked and struggled and talked and lived the life of one in Christ. May he be blessed in his new life in Christ as we have all been so very blessed to have had Paul in our lives.

By: Phillip Ayers

Phillip Ayers — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 02:53:10 +0000

Br. Paul was a gracious superior who spent a short time with me after breakfast during a Lent retreat I made at SSJE in 1982. The next year he was in residence at Nashotah House when I was at a national meeting there and he heard my confession. Now, to be in the same town of his nativity and having helped the local religion reporter in the Portland Oregonian paper, I feel very connected to him. What a gracious, humble and saintly man! Phillip Ayers

By: Patricia Gross

Patricia Gross — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:54:56 +0000

Paul Wessinger was impressive in so many ways, as the many tributes have already expressed. I’ve heard many stories about how transformative his time as superior was, because he was brave enough to make many changes that made the community more welcoming (among other changes, allowing women to stay in the guest house and have meals in the refectory, which I believe happened in the mid-1970s). I was also impressed by his energy, particularly his willingness to take part in a 30-day retreat making the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius — this was less than 20 years ago, and the 30-day retreat can be exhausting for much younger people. His enthusiasm was exciting, even when it was in response to little things such as German Christmas cookies that reminded him of cookies his mother used to make. It was a comfort to attend the wake at the Jeanne Jugan Residence.

By: Bruce Johnson

Bruce Johnson — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:45:18 +0000

Those of us who were privileged to know Brother Paul, and we are many, have lost a true and dear friend. Paul lived deeply into to Peace of Christ which passes all understanding and he drew all of us further into that Peace. I am thankful to God for calling Brother Paul to the monastic life and for giving us such a powerful example of quiet faithfulness. Well done Paul, well done.

By: Jamie Knutsen

Jamie Knutsen — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:13:42 +0000

In my two years as a postulant and novice with SSJE, a blessed experience, I came to sense Paul as the soul of SSJE, wise, gentle, prophetic. A lover. I’ve missed him these last three years, and am sad that I won’t see him again this side of the resurrection, but am sure I will sense his presence closer than ever.

By: Roy Cockrum

Roy Cockrum — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 16:47:11 +0000

Psalm 23.
(from The Dead Sea Scroll Collection at
The Gnostic Society Library)

Your holy spirit
illuminates the dark places of the heart
of your servant,
with light like the sun.
I look to the covenants made by men,
worthless.
Only your truth shines,
and those who love it are wise
and walk in the glow
of your light.
From darkness you raise hearts.
Let light shine on your servant.
Your light is everlasting.

And a prayer learned from my brother Paul to be chanted in times of fear or trouble:

“My God and I are one.”

At last Br. Paul and his God are truly one.

Giving thanks with awe and affection for an amazing life well lived and for all the SSJE brothers as they mourn the loss of their brother and patriarch.

Roy

By: Dan Andrus

Dan Andrus — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 13:16:11 +0000

Brother Paul lived an extraordinary life and was a powerful voice for renewal. My enduring memory of him occurred in his later years as he would take time before meals to welcome each guest of the monastery. Thank God for the witness of this remarkable man.

By: Will Bergmann

Will Bergmann — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:42:21 +0000

I first had the pleasure of meeting Br Paul when I was a student at Nashotah House, back in 1977. He had a tremendous influence on me. What a dear, gracious and holy man. Thanks be to God for his life and witness! May he rest in peace.

By: Reginald Mervine

Reginald Mervine — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:21:36 +0000

Back in the early 60’s, I spent a brief time at the monastery in Cambridge testing the possibility of a call to the religious life in the Cowley Community. Br. Wessinger provided a final interview with me and firmly, but ever so gently, explained why I was not a good candidate for the community. I have never forgotten his kind and deeply concerned reasoning, and the practical steps he suggested I needed to take for my future. Early the following year, Br. Wessinger was in Washington, D.C., doing a mission at one of the city’s Anglo-Catholic parishes, and he called and asked if I would have time to show him some of the monuments of the city. He and I spent most of a day doing the tourist sites in the cold and snow. I have always treasured those hours during which I had the blessing of sharing Br. Paul’s wisdom and spirituality. He amazed me with the depth and scope of his interest and understanding of our human situation. I never saw him again, but treasured his insights and the reflections he shared with me. Thank you Lord for sending Paul Wessinger among us to give us a glimpse of Your love and Your concern. May he enter more and more into the rich joy of Your everlasting glory!

By: Mary E. Gardill

Mary E. Gardill — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:49:48 +0000

Br. Paul’s words come to me from time to time. One thing I remember most inspiring, affirming and true is that he said that “all of us live our healing everyday.” How blessed I feel to have witnessed his compassion, insight and kindness at the Monastery.

By: Don Huff

Don Huff — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:39:05 +0000

For two years, from January, 1958 until December, 1959, I had the great grace of being one of Fr. Wessingers charges, first as a postulant and then as a novice. He was “Father Master” for us in the novitiate on the third floor of the monastery and truly our Father-in-Christ. What wonderful memories of a most blessed time. I must confess that I have difficulty in thinking of–and referring to–that dear man as “Brother Paul” because in my tenure there lived at the monastery a charming idiosyncratic oblate intern Brother Paul who occasionally wandered off to parts unknown, only to return and slip back into his usual jack-of-all-trades duties around the premises, and Father Master was certaiinly not “Brother Paul”. However he may have been addressed here, I know the angels have welcomed him into that vast company of the saints in light. I always found the sound of the De Profundis bell in the evening somehow very comforting and will pray that psalm for him.

By: C. Andrew Doyle

C. Andrew Doyle — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:20:18 +0000

Br. Paul introduced me to the life and fellowship of SSJE. I am grateful for that gift which has been a relationship that has grown over the years. I will always remember him for this particular invitation and his patience with a young, wet behind the ears, seminarian.

Blessings and Love to all the brothers and members of the fellowship. You will all be in my prayers and thoughts.

Faithfully yours,
C. Andrew Doyle

By: Mary and Jack Coogan

Mary and Jack Coogan — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:11:26 +0000

We fondly remember BrPaul as a compassionate, empathetic person. Always kind, loving, and generous in spirit, he will be sorely missed by us and others. He showed spiritual growth and grace in aging (when we first met him) and when presented with new occurrences in the world, in his own physical being, and when he moved to a care facility. His model of a Christian life is a rich heritage that he left to all of us.

By: Ellen O'Hara

Ellen O'Hara — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:13:51 +0000

Brother Paul became a living icon for me of gentle and generous hospitality. He had the gift of making one feel cared for and remembered. I am particularly moved by my recollection of his weeping openly one Good Friday during the Liturgy, much as though he were standing at the foot of the Cross, faithful as the Beloved Disciple. He made loving God look like an extremely attractive thing to do. I am grateful to God for his fine example.

By: Paul Cooper

Paul Cooper — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 04:23:19 +0000

Br/Fr Paul Wessinger became an unofficial advisor to me from the time I arrived as a summer guest at the monastery in June 1957, and then went on to graduate school in the area. His example in always taking the high road of enthusastic leadership toward the vision of a life that must continually be reformed in order to conform to the way God leads us was a unique and faithful revelation of God’s handiwork. He formed the consciences of many people — not least those of his own community — in such a way as to enable the progress needed to be true to that vision. I didn’t know it nor readily accept it at the time, but this formation was a major factor in enabling me and many others to to see and embrace throughout our lives that essential renewal that keeps us focused on God’s work in perfecting his creation. As we pray for Br Paul to rest in peace, we praise God, knowing that to be truly at peace is to continue to grow in that love and service so many received from him when he was visibly active among us.

By: Jay R. Lawlor

Jay R. Lawlor — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 02:52:14 +0000

I give thanks to God for Brother Paul and his witness to a life of prayer and community that has inspired so many to know God more deeply. During my regular visits to the Monastery, in both discerning ordination and while in the process and attending seminary, Brother Paul offered the gifts of grace, wisdom, prayer, and blessings for the journey. I offer my prayers for the brothers of SSJE and for Paul, may light perpetual shine upon him.