Msgr. William J. Lyons, 81, a priest of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis, who had served faithfully as a spiritual director for the North American College since 2003, passed away on Monday November 21, 2011. He passed away as a private Mass was concluding in his room, receiving viaticum. As the 81 year old man we loved so much succumbed to death after battling cancer, his priestly heart of 55 years shone brightly, witnessing and revealing the profound love of the heart of Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd.
We give thanks to God for Msgr. Lyons, who was such a great gift to our community. It was his desire that he should finish his ministry on earth here at this College that he loved so much. He was interred in the NAC Mausoleum at Campo Verano in Rome, near the tomb of Servant of God Frank Parater and other seminarians, faculty, and benefactors of the North American College.
Photos of the Funeral Mass are available here.
Photos of the Interment at the NAC Mausoleum are available here.
Below is the video of the Mass of Christian Burial, celebrated by his ordinary, Archbishop Robert Carlson of Saint Louis.
Please be patient, as it may take a moment after clicking on the video for it to load.
| Eternal Rest, Grant Unto Msgr. William Lyons, O Lord. And Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him. May He Rest in Peace. Amen. |
[...] of the Funeral Mass are available here.Video Coverage of the Funeral is available here.Photos of the Interment at the NAC Mausoleum are available here.His Obituary is available [...]
Thank-you for putting this up and allowing his family to cherish this loving and most beautiful service. We loved him so much, and it is comforting to see that others loved him equally. We knew he was where he wanted to be at his final hour here on earth. As painful as it is to let him go and so shockingly sudden for us, we know he lived his life in service to a church that he loved. It gave his life meaning and purpose. God Bless You Uncle Bill! We love you and miss you and will see you soon when we return home. Love, Anne
TO THE NORTH AMERICAN COLLEGE and the LYONS FAMILY:
The officers, members and benefactors of FRIENDS of PRIESTS of the Archdiocese of St. Louis offer their prayerful sympathy on the passing of noted St. Louis Archdiocesan priest and North American College spiritual advisor, MSGR. WILLIAM J. LYONS. Msgr. Lyons lengthy service to seminarians and college-age young adults throughout the Church is fondly recalled by many in metro St. Louis, Rome and elsewhere–he will not be forgotten!
We are having Masses for his happy repose celebrated at the NEW CATHEDRAL BASILICA and THE OLD CATHEDRAL in St. Louis, MO by our organization, which is dedicated to the prayerful, community support of priests, deacons, sisters, brothers and vowed laity in their vocational life and ministries.
May he rest in peace–and know that St. Louisans–Catholic and otherwise–will recall Msgr. Lyons fondly.
Sincerely,
Max S. Kaiser, Jr. KHS
Vice-President
FRIENDS of PRIESTS
P.O. Box 703
Chesterfield, MO 63005-0703
To the Family and Friends of Msgr. William J. Lyons:
Please know of our deepest sympathy on the passing of Msgr. Bill Lyons.
He will be greatly missed–and he was remembered with a Memorial Mass at the University of Missouri–Newman Center at St. Ann’s Church in St. Louis recently which was attended by hundreds of his friends and former students. May he rest in peace!
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Lally
St. Louis, MO
As a former college student of Fr. Bill Lyons, I will remember his wit, warmth and spirituality. He was a really perceptive person–and his lengthy service to college students like myself (past and present) will not be forgotten by Our Lord! May he rest in peace.
Pat McNally
After racquetball we sat for an hour in silence. What was to be said when everywhere was the presence of God? Afterward we prayed, smiled, and laughed. He is a hero. Fr. Bill would laugh at this limited exposition. May he continue to bless us all.