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                               May 15, 2013

 

In Honor of +Maria Cecilia Rose Duff, R.I.P

[Publisher-Editor's Foreword: It has been my great honor in the past to publish several articles written by the distinguished Catholic writer and educator, Mr. Timothy A. Duff, who is one of the world's foremost experts on the Venerable Mary of Agreda's Mystical City of God. It is a particular privilege now, just days after the death of Mr. Duff's sixteen year-old victim-soul daughter, +Maria Cecilia Rose Duff, to be asked by him to publish the following material in her memory.

[Included on this page are short poems by Mr. Duff and his wife, Mrs. Eileen A. Duff, who is an educator in her own right, and "Maria's Motto." Maria's own tribute to her family, which Mr. Duff, says has been set to music, should bring a tear to every Catholic eye and touch every Catholic heart as the late Miss Duff expressed herself with such great, loving eloquence to show her gratitude to her parents and siblings for the care that they gave her over the course of her sixteen years of life, the last thirteen of which were spent in a wheelchair and on a ventilator.

[I ask the readers of this site to continue to pray for the repose of Maria Cecilia Rose Duff's immortal soul and to keep her parents, siblings, relatives and friends in prayer at this time as well.

[I thank Timothy and Eileen Duff for permitting me to publish this inspirational Catholic writing.

[Eternal rest grant unto Maria Cecilia Rose Duff, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and all of the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.]

I. Maria's Rose

by Timothy A. Duff

The three parts of the rose,

As can be clearly seen,

The thorns, the bud, the blossom,

The fairest ever been.

Our sweet and lovely rose,

The thorns were all she knew,

Sincerity in suffering,

Is heav’n’s most precious dew.

The bud, e’en though unopened,

Yet spread forth virtue’s scent,

To all she touched around her,

Til ‘part from us she went.

All thorns for her, and bud for us,

But in this hope we stand,

To see her fully blossom’d,

In th’eternal beauteous land.

II. A Mother's Love

by Eileen A. Duff

A mother's love is like a rose

Beautiful beyond compare

Soft petals like a mother's touch

Soothing the pains of hearts and heartaches

Sweet fragrance like a mother's voice

Offering words of comfort in times of trial

Green leaves a mother's faithfulness

Being there always in good times and in bad

Sharp thorns a mother's sacrifices

Praying and laboring through day and night

Soft morning dew like a mother's tears

Showing her deep love for her children.

III. Maria's Motto

by Maria Cecilia Rose Duff

Change the way you see,

Not the way you look.

IV.

 

A Song for my Family

by Maria Cecilia Rose Duff

 

This is a song for my family.

I want to say how much I love you and how much you mean to me.


When I’m gone I hope you will remember me for those times when I was happy,

and for all those good times we had together.

I wish we could do them over again.

I Love You.

 

Peter – When we were young we were inseparable, but as we grew up, we began to go different ways.

But always know that I’m still very close to you.

I Love You.

 

Regina – You are my little helper. I can count on you to be there. You are very special to me.

I Love You.

 

Anne Marie – We were best of friends when we were young, but as time went on we drifted.

           But I just want to let you know that you’re the greatest big sister and I look up to you.

I Love You.

 

Paul – From the first time we’ve met, I knew you were kind and gentle.

          Thank you for being like a big brother.

I Love You.

 

Margaret – You have brought sunshine into my dark world.

      Even when I don’t feel like it, you can make me smile.

      You are very close to my heart.

I Love You.

 

Mom and Dad – Thank you for being patient and for always being there with me.

               I know it’s been hard and I’m grateful for having you to help me.

I Love You.

 

A Note from Maria

I hope this song helps you remember all our family time.

 

ETERNAL REST GRANT UNTO MARIA CECILIA ROSE DUFF AND LET PERPETUAL IGHT SHINE UPON HER.

MAY HER SOUL AND ALL OF THE SOULS OF THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED, THROUGH THE MERCY OF GOD, REST IN PEACE.

AMEN.

MAY GOD BLESS AND OUR LADY PROTECT THE FAMILY OF TIMOTHY AND EILEEN DUFF