PROVIDENCE - A traditional Requiem Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Providence March 3 drew hundreds of people to pay tribute to Liberian native Samuel Lekpeyee, who died Feb. 11 of an untreatable liver condition.
What was remarkable about Lekpeyee reflects, in a sense, what is remarkable about the parish: It is a magnet for immigrants from many countries who blend together in the strength of shared faith and common purpose.
According to Allen Maynard, Third Degree Knight of Columbus, parishioner, wrote in tribute, "A defining characteristic of the men of the African community is their devotion to faith and family." That, Maynard said, was what sparked their decision in 2004 to start a Knights of Columbus chapter. They began with seven members, doubled membership every year and now have nearly 40, representing various backgrounds and countries.
Father Joseph Santos, Jr. said the chapter is "the first Liberian Knights of Columbus in the country, as well as the first all-African immigrant council in the United States." It is so successful, however, that non-Africans are now expressing interest in joining.
Certainly people of every ethnic background represented at Holy Name ¬ and they are many ¬ came for the Friday night vigil and Saturday's funeral.
Lekpeyee was born in Kpala Chiefdom, Numba County, Liberia in 1952. Following graduation from college, he worked in the Liberian Ministry of Agriculture and for the Liberian-American Mining Co. He came to the U.S. and settled in Rhode Island in 1998, joined the Knights chapter in February, 2005 and was recently elected warden of the council.
He fell ill in January and was hospitalized, with a condition that worsened until his death. Funeral ceremonies were delayed so that family and friends ¬ many from distant places ¬ could make travel arrangements.
Maynard said the vigil included the recitation of Vespers, followed by a rosary led by Father Jude Onuchukwu, chaplain to the African Catholic community and the council. The many eulogies were interspersed with African music.
Saturday's traditional Requiem followed ancient tradition. Priest, deacon and subdeacon wore black vestments. The Holy Name Schola Cantorum, under the direction of Jacob Stott, chanted the ordinary and propers. Holy Name is the only parish in the diocese with permission to celebrate a Tridentine Mass. Santos said that many immigrants are comfortable there because "they bring their own missiles and can follow the service in their own language."
(This article originally appeared in The Providence Visitor)
