Cherra Savage, our newest contributing writer, has been a seeker of the mystery from long before she lost her beloved son Garrett in 2019 when he was 24 years old. Cherra lives in Prescott, AZ with her daughter Bella and a menagerie of beloved animals, including pugs Mimi, Baby Puppy and Monsty the cat.
Recently the Sacred Sorrows community rallied around one of our members as one of her
children was struck by a sudden health crisis. Over a period of several days, our prayers went
out to her and her family for comfort, up to our Lord and His Holy Mother asking for divine
mercy. Together we rode the wave of uncertainty until the time came that heaven could no
longer wait and he was called home - the loss of a second child within fifteen months.
Collectively our hearts broke for our sister, as her mourning and grieving began, again. As
grieving mothers we understand the terrible truth; the loss of a child is a wound that may be
integrated over time, but never fully heals.
As members of Sacred Sorrows we nurture a belief that is both profound and simple, that
healing occurs as a result of the mystery of grace. Those three words form a simple,
unassuming phrase, and form the foundation and banner upon and under which we gather to
draw strength from our fellowship. We place our faith in the hands of the source of all things
whose ways we can neither see with our worldly eyes, nor understand with our worldly
thinking. It may be entered only through the heart. Together we reside in liminal space where
we willingly suspend the obsessive need to know, holding space for answers to come that are not of this world.
The word mystery is defined as that which is unknown, but for us whose baptism into this
community has resulted in a constant awareness of both heaven and earth, the mystery infers a knowing that transcends the mechanics of the physical universe. Our faith lies in that which is not tangible, but which is more real than anything of this earth.
I attended the funeral mass to show support for our Sacred Sorrows sister, my first Catholic
funeral mass ever. It was filled with music, praise, and ritual. Through my tears, it occurred to
me that ritual is a path that leads to the doorway of the mystical. I can’t find the words for
exactly how, but I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit, bringing the mystery along side the veil of sadness. Was it celebration or was it compassionate love that hovered over the
mourners?
We drove to the cemetery and gathered around the final resting place. The intense afternoon
sun blazed down upon the mourners without the slightest breeze. I found a space under a tree with several other people. The priest spoke the Rite of Final Committal and as he was finishing I noticed a singular whirlwind at least twenty feet tall pick up some dust and hover off to the side. All at once it subsided and as if on cue a strong wind went through the crowd. I heard someone behind me startle, breathing in the wind and solemnly say “ the Holy Spirit!”. The spirit was upon us, making itself known, ‘the mystery of grace’ I whispered to myself, not seen but felt by all.
"Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted." (Matthew 5:4)
Dedicated to the memory of Michael and Robert, may they rest in the peace of brotherhood
welcomed by grace and the sons and daughters of the Sacred Sorrows community.
Cherra: Such a heartfelt and beautiful expression of your love and support. Thank you for sharing your experience. As someone who has surely been to more Catholic funerals than I can count over my life so far, I was moved and touched, seeing it through your eyes. So blessed by you and your writing. Appreciate so much your beautiful invitation and reminder to enter into the mystery of grace where we stand united in faith and in our love and support for one another.
Thank you Cherra for your beautiful words. This is such a devastating loss for the mother and I am so glad you were able to support her. You make me continue to contemplate mystery and all its possibilities.......... ❤️
Cherra, so beautifully written. My heart is with this mother and I will keep her and her boys in my prayers. I take a little comfort in knowing all of our children are with them, together at peace. 🙏 👼 ❤️.
I'm so deeply sorry to the mother who must let go of two of her children. I can barely let go of my 1 son. I too however have experienced my son's death as both deep grief and loss but also a divine mystery. I know it was God who showed me this but it took time. May this mother feel Gods love and mine too as I think of her and ask that along with grief she also comes to feel comforted.
Mystery of grace, those are such powerful words. Thank you for your description of the whirlwind at this solemn holy farewell. Holy spirit indeed. Praying for peace for these young men's mother, and the rest of their family and friends. God bless them all.