Prayers through the centuries

George Basil Hume  (2 March 1923 – 17 June 1999) was an English Catholic bishop. Previously he was a monk and priest of the English Benedictine monastery of Ampleforth Abbey and its abbot for 13 years until his appointment as Archbishop of Westminster in 1976. His elevation to cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church followed during the same year. From 1979, Hume served also as president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. He held these appointments until his death from cancer in 1999. His final resting place is at Westminster Cathedral in the Chapel of St Gregory and St Augustine.

During his lifetime, he received wide respect from the general public which went beyond the Catholic community. When as Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, he was told that he had cancer, "and not in the early stages," his first reaction was to go to the hospital chapel and pray for half an hour before the crucifix.

A few days later he wrote to his priests to tell them the news, adding, "I have received two wonderful graces. First, I have been given time to prepare for a new future. Secondly, I find myself—uncharacteristically—calm and at peace."

On various occasions, Cardinal Hume had given reflections on Christ’s "seven last words" from the cross. These verses, drawn from the Gospels of Mark, Luke, and John, brought him "a message of hope," he said—possibly never more so than in his final months. 

Following the earth Diana he gave a homily that included these words….

Farewell, then, Diana.

The agonies of the heart and

The anguish of the mind

Were often your companions in life.

They were your teachers, too,

For from them you learned understanding, 

Compassion and kindness.

These are you finest legacy to us.

Thank you for all the good you did.

Thank you for the joy you gave to many. 

Thank you for being like the rest of us”.

Basil Hume embodied the human spirit and was able to pray; We praise and worship you, God our creator. You have created us in your image, though we are unworthy. You have given us your Son, who continues to nourish us through the gift of his body and blood. May we never be separated from you, and may our worship be worthy of you, God our life-giver. Amen