Now You Live in Me and I Live in You. I Shall Raise You Up on the Last Day!

Fr. Gerald Fitzsimmons, SMM

Today, we gather to honor the life of a truly holy man. On this solemn occasion, the funeral of Fr. Gerald Fitzsimmons, SMM (1948-2024), we remember his profound impact and celebrate his legacy. For nearly fifty years, he served as a priest in The Company of Mary, having earned his Master’s in Divinity from St. Louis University.

Fr. Fitzsimmons dedicated many years to Parish Ministry, beginning at Infant Jesus in Port Jefferson, NY, and later at Gate of Heaven in Queens, NY. His exceptional talent and calling, however, lay in preaching parish missions and retreats. As a master of Montfort Spirituality, he traveled extensively across the USA to share his missions. Additionally, he served as the Provincial Superior for the Montfort Missionaries in the United States for over 12 years.

Fr. Fitzsimmons was deeply committed to helping others, both nationally and internationally, particularly victims of abuse. His compassion and dedication were evident in his extensive efforts.

Occasionally, Fr. Fitzsimmons visited the Shrine of Our Lady of the Island. On one such visit in June 2021, we were fortunate to capture his Homily on the Feast of Corpus Christi, which is presented below along with a brief introduction. Scroll to the bottom of this post for the audio.

As previously mentioned, Fr. Fitzsimmons was a master of Montfort Spirituality. During his tenure as Provincial Superior for the United States’ Company of Mary, he participated in a 1997 video project on Jesus Living in Mary. An excerpt from that video, featuring his comments on St. Louis de Montfort is also included. Select the play button to display the 3-minute excerpt.

We hope this tribute page serves as an inspiration in your own spiritual journey and kindly ask that you say a prayer for Fr. Fitzsimmons.

Fr. Fitzsimmons’ Montfort Excerpts from Jesus Living in Mary

Now You Live in Me and I Live in You. I Shall Raise You Up on the Last Day!

The Gospel we hear today is the Bread of Life on the Feast of Corpus Christi – The Body and Blood of Christ.

In the Homily, a question is asked: Why did God send Jesus into the world? While there may be several answers, the primary reason was Jesus came to bring us salvation. What actually do we mean when we say that?

Sometimes we may think salvation is something … or some place. Salvation is not a thing or a place! Salvation is someone! Jesus is salvation. Jesus in His dying and rising is salvation! Jesus accepted all of the realities of humanity … even death … so that the realities of our humanity may be transformed in the resurrection. Hear more what salvation really means!

The Gospel is not a piece of information! It is not even a book! The Gospel is a person, Jesus. Jesus is the gift of the Father! The Father sent His Son. The Son made a gift of Himself completely to the world.

Where does the Father send His Son to you and me? Where does the Son speak His word to you? Where does the Son make His gift to you so completely that you live in Him . . . and He lives in you? Where does that happen? Hear more within the Homily.

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