IT’S not easy to fill Killarney’s St Mary’s Cathedral to near capacity but Christian Mayse did so this morning as mourners turned out in incredible numbers for the hugely popular teenager’s Requiem Mass.
The bubbly, friendly and energetic 19-year-old passed away, unexpectedly, on Friday, causing widespread shock and great upset in a town where almost everybody knew his name.
Although he had lived with muscular dystrophy, Christian always fully accepted his condition, never considering it a burden and he lived a full and happy life which was what made his sudden passing, just four days after his 19th birthday, so difficult for those that loved him to accept.
Despite the overwhelming sense of loss felt by his family and friends, today’s poignant ceremony was instead a warm and moving celebration of Christian’s life, with happy memories shared, amusing stories told and those that loved him remembering the fun-loving teenager, who completed his Leaving Cert in Killarney Community College last June, for the larger-than-life character that he was.
Chief celebrant, Killarney Parish Administrator, Fr Kieran O’Brien, who was joined on the altar by Christian’s cousin Fr Dan Herlihy and Fr Declan O’Connor, said the young Killarney man learned to live with muscular dystrophy, he fought it every day and he proved it didn’t mean he couldn’t do things or go places and it didn’t prevent him from experiencing life.
He had a positive attitude and he was determined to get the best out of every situation, proving it’s not the years in your life that counts but the life in your years.
“It leaves me wondering what Christian would have achieved and what are the things he would have got up to if he lived a longer life?” Fr O’Brien asked.
People that called to the family home in recent days saw so many photographs and a slideshow of Christian and in every one of them he seemed so happy, he added.
“He had a cheeky grin, backed up by wit and humour and you’re left wondering what was he up to? So many stories have been told over the last few days and it’s only now his family are realising the truths,” the principal celebrant smiled.
He said all the memories of Christian were great memories and loving memories of a life well lived.
Fr O’Brien told of a reflection on life that Christian had penned himself, which has a prominent place in his home and it was also printed in his Requiem Mass booklet, and it showed his great wisdom and his wonderful attitude.
It read: “Sometimes I wish that I was a dragon, a soldier, a soccer player, an astronaut, a pilot, an actor… but I’m glad I’m just me”.
Fr O’Brien remarked: “It can teach us so much about our outlook on life. He wouldn’t change anything about himself or his lifestyle. Christian didn’t play the martyr either. He never asked the question ‘Why me? Why muscular dystrophy?’”
He added: “He did more for us than we could ever do for him. He taught us the art of patience, the importance of caring for each other. He taught us how to be grateful in life, to accept things as they are, to be happy with our lot and how to cope with the challenges of life”.
“In truth, Christian Mayse touched everyone’s life. You came away enriched by his warmth and by his personality. People were drawn to him, as you see here in a crowded cathedral this morning,” the parish administrator said.
At the start of the service a number of gifts were brought to the altar to symbolise Christian’s all-too-short life and, not surprisingly, given that Fr O’Brien had described him as “a man of many gadgets”, they included his X-box and an Apple TV on which he watched his favourite movies.
Also presented at the altar were an autographed Irish rugby jersey, a Kerry jersey presented to Christian by Colm Cooper, a set of boccia balls to recall his favourite sporting pastime, a deck of cards to show his love of playing poker, a bottle of Heineken to mark the celebration of his 18th birthday last year – the first time he tried alcohol – a family photograph and a book titled The adventures of Christian James Mayse which was created in his former national school at Lissivigeen.
Christian, who lived at Maple Drive, Killarney, is the dearly loved son of Martina, Niall and Seán and loving brother of Jamie, Sadie, Shane, Clodagh and Charlie.
He is further survived by his grandparents, Eileen and Patrick Mayse, Kathleen and Dan Joe Lynch, Gerry and Clare O’Loughlin, his aunts, uncles, cousins, personal assistants, special needs assistants and so many great friends.
Following the poignant ceremony this morning, greatly enriched by music, songs and readings from his friends and a very moving eulogy from his mum, Christian was laid to rest in Aghadoe Cemetery, Killarney, with a guard of honour on his last journey through his hometown provided by pupils from his former schools at Lissivigeen Primary and Killarney Community College.
KillarneyToday.com
