 Br. Robert Henry Lavigne, O.P.
“…So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the
tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached
the tomb first; he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go
in. Simon Peter who was following now came up, went right into the tomb, saw the
linen cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been rolled up in a place by
itself. Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw
and he believed.”
I chose this scriptural passage because I thought it really
spoke to the life of Brother Robert. We all know how curious he was and that he was
relentless in searching out whatever was the current quest. If a message or letter
came in, we know how dedicated Brother Robert was in finding that person or finding out
where to send the note or where to deliver the message. Even in these latter years
when it became more and more difficult for him to get up and down the stairs, he would
search high and low to get to the bottom of what he considered a mystery. He had to
finish the task. He had to complete the quest. He had to know. Now he knows.
He doesn’t have to stand and wait any longer. The final mail delivery
has come. After years and years of patient waiting, he finally won the
sweepstakes. It’s just that it wasn’t Ed McMahann. He opened the door
and fell into the arms of the resurrected Lord! He won the grand prize. Now he
knows what it’s all about.
Brother Robert had his ways of breaking into the conversation and he broke into our lives
in ways that nobody else will probably ever be able to do. He broke into our lives
and preached to us in the most wonderful way. He didn’t even know he was
preaching. He would have been embarrassed if you told him that his life was an
example of good preaching.
When Brother Robert would come up to McKenzie
Bridge he’d take the train and get an economy bedroom. The only
complaint that he had was that they didn’t serve Manhattans. I’d go to
Eugene to meet him and he’d come toward me, waving his hands,“
Yep, hello,
haven’t seen you since the last time.” He only traveled with a small
valise since he kept a complete set of clothes at St. Benedict’s.
He was torn between his love for St. Albert’s and his fondness for St.
Benedict’s. I think that his connection to these two places and his worry about
how life would continue at the one, while he was at the other, really kept him
going. He would tell me, “No, Daniel, I don’t think
I can come up right now. The students are away, or the novices are on tour, and
there’s nobody to serve the community Mass." I think the
“community” at those times usually consisted of him and Fr. Janko.
He told me about coming to the novitiate in Ross as a
clerical candidate. He was having a hard time memorizing the epistles of St. Paul in
Latin and his Novice Master met with him wondering if his interests and his calling were
more in line with being a lay brother than with being a priest. He probably already
had a roll of duct tape and a few tools and had worked on some project around the
novitiate.
The novice master told him, “You see that brother out there
hanging up the laundry? See how happy he is? You could be that happy too.”
So young Brother Robert switched and began his life as a lay
brother. He told me – again as we sat at the table at McKenzie Bridge –
“a couple of days later I asked that brother why he was so
happy. He told me ‘cause tomorrow I’m leaving and going to marry the
cook’s daughter!”
Robert stayed and made his profession of vows and much of his
ministerial life was spent at St. Albert’s and St. Benedict’s. He is
certainly credited with keeping these two places up and running.
Brother Robert really did die with his boots on. He
lived a full life. “70 years – or 80 if we’re
strong,” the Psalm tells us. He made it past 86 and left us with an
example. He preached an Easter sermon that was far better than any of us could expect
to do. He preached it by his life. “He saw and he
believed.” Robert didn’t really “see” until Easter
Sunday. Before that it was all by faith. Now he knows.
He waited faithfully at the door, he sought the Lord in all
that he did and when he stepped out on that porch, the Lord rolled back the stone of the
tomb and Brother Robert fell into his arms.
Speaking of Brother Robert…would that any
of us could be as great. He truly rests in peace.
- Br. Daniel Thomas, O.P.
Vigil Service & Preaching
Thursday, April 19, 2001 by Brother Daniel Thomas, O.P.
Pictures from the wake
and vigil.
Pictures from the burial.
Photo #2
Obituary Card
I am the resurrection and the life: whoever believes in me though he should die, will
come to life: and whoever is alive and believes in me will never die. John11:26
Dear Lord, We ask you to keep your servant Br. Robert in your loving care, and to
admit him to the company of your saints and blesseds. Remember his kindness and
cheerful care for his duties and his brothers, that he who died on Easter Sunday may rise
with the Lord and rest in peace. Amen.
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