1921
The Rev. Lawrence
2009
The Rev. Lawrence B. London
February 1, 1921 — November 1, 2009
The Rev. Lawrence B. London, 88, Rockford, died peacefully at 5:15 a.m. on the Feast of All Saints Day, Sunday, November 1, 2009 in Provena Cor Mariae Center. A convert to the Catholic faith at age 16, he was born February 1, 1921 in Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated from Dowling High School there in 1938. During WWII he served in Hawaii with the U.S. Coast Guard as a pharmacist mate. Following that, he joined the Capuchin Franciscan Friars for five years. His fathers death turned his vocation to the diocesan priesthood. Bishop John J. Boylan, who had known him in Des Moines as a young convert, sent him to finish his theology from Catholic University Capuchin House of Study to St. Paul Seminary, St. Paul, MN. Father Londons ordination on May 9, 1953 was at St. James Pro-Cathedral in Rockford. The next morning his first Mass celebration was with the Poor Clare Colettine Community at Corpus Christi Monastery in Rockford. He also had celebrated Masses of Thanksgiving at St. Ambrose Cathedral, Des Moines, IA, his parish of baptism, and St. Vincents Home in Freeport, where he also served summers as a diocesan seminarian. During forty years of parish ministry, Father London also served five years as Chaplain of St. Anthony Hospital in Rockford during the 1960s. He spent his first retirement year studying spirituality at Lebh Shomea in Sarita, Texas. During his Vianney Oaks residency, he lived an active contemplative lifestyle. He did Life Healing Journey week-ends with Father Peter Campbells ministry team and spiritual guidance one-on-one. A Poets Soul, published after his 75 th birthday, is an autobiographical mirror of his lifes spiritual journey. It proclaims the thread holding human spirituality together is Gods gracious presence ceaselessly loving everyones being and doing in time and eternity. His words resonate with Joseph Cardinal Bernardins saying, A priest is called in todays world to be a mystic and healer of souls!
Father Londons parents, who became Catholics during his military service, have predeceased him, as well as all close family members.
A Mass of Resurrection will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 6, 2009 at the Cathedral of St. Peer with The Most Reverend Thomas G. Doran, Bishop of Rockford officiating. Burial in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday in Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. Visitaion also from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at the church on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, Lifes Healing Journey Ministry, 305 S. Lake Ave., Aurora, IL 60507 or Poor Clares Corpus Christi Monastery, 2111 S. Main, Rockford, IL. 61102. Condolences and memories can be shared at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.
Father Londons parents, who became Catholics during his military service, have predeceased him, as well as all close family members.
A Mass of Resurrection will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 6, 2009 at the Cathedral of St. Peer with The Most Reverend Thomas G. Doran, Bishop of Rockford officiating. Burial in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday in Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. Visitaion also from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at the church on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, Lifes Healing Journey Ministry, 305 S. Lake Ave., Aurora, IL 60507 or Poor Clares Corpus Christi Monastery, 2111 S. Main, Rockford, IL. 61102. Condolences and memories can be shared at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.
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