01/29/2026
This is the homily I gave at the Funeral Mass for Fr. Benedict Livingstone, sP
Until 1981 whenever I thought about Scotland I recalled all that I had heard in the 4th grade about this far away land.
I imagined men looking for the Lockness monster in Loch Lomond.
I wondered if everyone in Scotland knew how to play bagpipes while running around in kilts after drinking the finest Scotch whiskey in their country.
I reflected excitedly about St Andrew’s Cross - big ❌ indicating his desire to die like Jesus but with his cross positioned differently.
And I asked: “Who could forget a song we sang just a few weeks ago on New Year’s Eve “Auld Lang Syne?”
But after meeting Fr. Benedict Livingstone, sP, a few things changed.
When I thought about the man whom we mourn today and whose life we celebrate I began to learn more about the riches of Scotland and the jewel we called Benedict.
I discovered that all Scottish men didn’t regularly wear kilts.
I thought of “three corporals on the altar, beads around his wrist,” big black meditation beads hanging from the same belt he wore his rosary on, a fuzzy hat and a great big walking stick and what I jokingly referred to as his Jungle Ben Safari Hat.
I remember eccentricities and pious devotion.
But most of all I remember a man, a religious and a priest, a servant of the Paraclete who was deeply in love with Jesus Christ and unreservedly dedicated to the service of “Christ in his priests.”
Fr. Benedict bore witness to Christ in the way he lived his faith. Both in word and action he “preached Christ.”
Today’s scripture readings speak about the reward of humble service.
They remind us of the universal call to holiness that we were given on the day of our baptism. And they speak indirectly of the day of our final profession and/or ordination. Fr. Benedict’s life and actions spoke boldly of his deep love of Jesus.
One of his favorite prayers was the “Anima Christi.” A few days before he died Fr. Ben was in and out of a coma. He was heavily medicated. While I was praying aloud (in English) the “Anima Christi” Fr. Benedict, only partially awake, began praying that same prayer from memory in Latin.
Today I thank the Lord for the Church of Scotland which nourished the spiritual life and growth of a boy named “Douglas” or as he was called by his youthful friends, “Dougie.”
In mid adolescence Douglas converted and became a Roman Catholic. He lived traditional expressions of faith and in particular, expressions of faith he felt drawn to in Roman Catholic devotional worship as expressed also in the Orthodox tradition.
Fr. Ben was a medical doctor and psychiatrist. He was also a linguist and a musician. He played the organ for daily devotions, Holy Hour and Mass each day, for many years in Scotland, Italy, England, the Philippines and the USA. He loved sacred music and was spiritually nourished by it.
He loved icons!
When he became a servant of the Paraclete, Douglas chose the religious name, Benedict.
Many years ago he was elected our “Treasurer General”. Ever since I came to know him he was, as Fr. Liam, sP, would say, never backward about coming forward. He was proud of his Scottish heritage and readily accepted being called thrifty or penny pinching - but not cheap. He took direction well from Steve Zielinski, our financial investment advisor, counselor and friend.
When I was asked to be the Father Servant at Our Lady of Victory in Brownshill, England, Fr. Benedict called me into his office to talk about my new role. I remember telling him I could not replace him but that I would do my best to be a good servant of the Paraclete. That’s when he spoke about the importance of the daily schedule of religious life, Mass, Holy Hour, rosary and interpersonal relationships with our guests, staff and fellow religious.
“Remember David that the plans and activities you have scheduled for the day are not the most important things.”
When you get frustrated and overwhelmed remember:
The “interruptions” don’t keep you from your work; they are your work, perhaps your most important work.
He urged me to: “Be ready to hear and respond to the voice of Jesus asking you to offer humble service to all, especially the priests and brothers who are our guests.”
As novice master he tried to instill the virtues of hope and trust in our formandi.
He would often challenge my New York attitude and lament my practice of andseeming inability to conform to UK standards of etiquette. He would sometimes say that something I did or failed to do wasn’t “proper.” Although he never said so, at least to my face, I’m sure he considered me brash and crass, nevertheless he confided that he voted for me in our general elections.
He was a loyal son of Scotland and a man devoted to our faith and the Catholic Church.
In our readings today, chosen specifically for Fr. Benedict, our former Treasurer General, we heard about giving an account of ourselves to God.
Maccabees:
Judas (ruler of Israel) had a holy and pious thought (and we know Fr. Ben had a lot of those too.) The ruler of Israel saw before him the splendid reward for those who had gone to their rest in godliness. I’m sure that such a splendid reward urged Fr. Benedict onwards. Hopefully, that reward will soon be his.
Romans:
Each of us shall give an account of himself to God. The fact that he had been our Treasurer General was impactful when I chose the second reading from Romans. Accounting and saving $ was an avocation and a vocation of Fr. Benedict.
John’s Gospel:
It’s no secret that Fr. Ben struggled with anxiety. Perhaps when we are anxious we might recall the words from today’s holy gospel. Such an intelligent and well educated man as Fr. Ben probably had a bit of a struggle managing his thoughts and slowing down his mind. Knowing that, I’m sure Fr. Ben found the message of Jesus a hope and a consolation, his center of peace in the midst of the storms of life.
“I will not reject anyone who comes to me…because I came not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me.”
… the will of the one who sent me is that I should not lose anything of what he gave me…
The will of the Father… that every one who believes in him might have eternal life.
What powerful words St. John wrote.
What power the Word of God, the Lord Jesus, has in our lives.
And what a powerful impact the words, life, prayers and ministry of Fr. Benedict have had on each of us.
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
