The Very Reverend FREDERICK MATHEW MONAHAN


The Very Reverend
FREDERICK MATHEW MONAHAN*
May 1, 1876 – April 15, 1912

Father Frederick gazed into the clear brilliant midnight sky. The distress rockets had finally stopped. Then the lights of the dying ship flickered and went out. Their absence accentuated the beauty of the night sky encompassing Father Frederick as he opened his heart and soul, embracing the beauty of God's creation. He had done everything possible to help others escape the unfolding tragedy. Now it was time for him to reach out and embrace the God to whom he had dedicated his life.

The screams of the dying passengers became softer to his ears. There was nothing he could do except wait. He no longer wondered how or why this nightmare was happening. Soon it would end and he would be gone from this vale-of-tears.

Father Frederick was not afraid. He knew he was safe within the everlasting loving arms of the God he had grown to know, understand, and love with every fiber of his being.

The final death groans of the mighty ship rose as it began its final voyage. At 2:20 a.m. in the early morning hours of April 15, 1912, the RMS Titanic slipped beneath the waves of the Atlantic Ocean and passed from the registry of the White Star Line.

A rush of cold ocean water washed over Father Frederick as he was pulled beneath the surface of the ocean. His consciousness dimmed as he experienced a euphoric splendor which embraced him in a brilliant light, and then there was nothing.

When consciousness returned, Father Frederick found himself floating above the wreckage of the ship that had sunk. Daylight was edging over the horizon silhouetting images of small boats visible in the distance. Survivors, he imagined.

Frederick sought refuge in thoughts of his mentor, Father Benedict. With a rush of air, he found himself drifting high over land. The tower of the old monastery, where he spent many years becoming a priest, came into view. Father Benedict was more than a mentor, he was Frederick's spiritual father. There was nowhere else he wished to be than in Father Benedict's presence.

He drifted down, settling in the monastery stable area. Father Benedict was tending his beloved horses. He turned and looked at Frederick and smiled, "Freddie!" Frederick's heart leaped. He heard his name called but did not see Father Benedict's lips move. "What is it, my son?" Frederick could hear the words, though there was no sound, and once again Father Benedict's lips did not move.
“Father, I'm dead," he thought.

"Yes, I know, but now you are really alive." A loving smile came across Father Benedict's face.
During the course of their conversation, Father Benedict instructed Frederick on the power of concentrated thought which would be the only tool he had to work with from now on. It was then that Frederick came to the decision of staying on the material plane and continuing his work as a Priest, a servant of God, helping those who were helpless. Father Benedict agreed with him. He emphasized the importance of learning how to materialize and dematerialize in his quest to serve others.

Father Benedict blessed Frederick. "And now my son, your path is clear. Your choice to stay on this physical plane and assist those in crisis will be a reward far greater than any you could experience on the heaven planes.”

And so, Father Frederick Mathew Monahan ventured forth, returning to the vale-of-tears he thought he would be leaving. His heart ached for the fulfillment he would experience in touching the lives of so many souls around the world.
Fini
*Father Monahan, aka Freddie, is a character appearing in many of the stories by JT Evergreen. Freddie also takes on the character of Morris Liebemacher, proprietor of the magical Olde Book Shoppe and its many tales.

Thank you for reading this story. Here’s a tune to send you on your way. Cheers, JT

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