Now he is something of a Carmelite hermit...
I was at the 6:30AM Mass at St. Agnes yesterday. One of Fr. Altier's last Masses there for now. There was a hint of sadness in the air. When the bells rang out from the tower to announce the Mass, they ceased down to one bell that dribbled off in a sort of toll, as it does at a funeral. Fr. Welzbacher spoke a farewell at the end of Mass. Altier had read a statement before his homily from Welzbacher about the health of Monsignor Schuller, who is currently staying with his nephew, Fr. Hogan, but it looks as if he will be moving into assisted living sometime soon. How amazing is that, all three priests are leaving St. Agnes at virtually the same time? Would anyone have ever guessed it would happen like this, and so quickly? It is truly the end of an era for St. Agnes. How inscrutable the workings of God.
I thought how perhaps Fr. Altier, basking in the joy and consolation of obedience, which renders the soul free from any impediments, will maybe 'fly away' as if he has 'the wings of a dove' -as the psalmist writes - to go into his solitude. As a Third Order Discalced Carmelite, this can be for him a wonderful time of prayer and even greater spiritual growth. I'm certain those of us who love him will still encounter him at St. Augustine's or when we make an occassional pilgrimage to Hastings. I'm sure there is no prohibition against that.
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