A Brother Who Led with Compassion

Every Sunday morning would start with me picking my brother Doug up for church at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury, CT. One particular Sunday, I dropped him off in front because his knee was bothering him. At first, when I walked into church, I couldn’t see him. I was thrown off because there was a woman sitting very close to him. I came and sat in the pew behind them. When he saw me, he smiled and signaled for me to come sit with them.

Father Sullivan, whom Doug really respected, was officiating the Mass. Doug would often talk about Father’s sermons to others who could use some encouragement. As the Mass went on, it came to the Sign of Peace, and Doug gave this woman one of the biggest hugs I have ever seen him give, with a big smile on his face and hers. This Mass was special because it was Mother’s Day. Doug asked her if she was a mother, and she said yes. Before Mass ends on Mother’s Day, Father Sullivan has all the mothers come forward, gives them a rose, and has them place it in front of the Blessed Mother. Doug persuaded his new friend to go up, and she did with a smile on her face.

After Mass, Doug walked her outside and gave her some money for the bus and food. She had approached him before Mass; she was homeless and asked for money. He told her that if she came to Mass, he would gladly give it to her. He kept his word, which he always did, especially to someone in need.

When I came around to pick him up in front, he explained what had happened before Mass. He then asked me a question I will never forget: “When was the last time someone gave her a big hug and showed her that much respect?”

This was the type of person my brother truly was.

Robert Druan