Mr. Ernesto Valente

memory and the moments that we had with him when he touched our lives. Even though Ernesto is no

longer among us, these memories and moments will forever remain within our minds and in our hearts.

We are defined, in some measure, by the people and lives that touch us and by the people and lives that

we touch. My father is to you and I, as you and I were to him. He was always extremely grateful and felt

fortunate to have known so many of you and hoped that in some small measure he was able to touch

you or help you to lighten your load.

Today, we are witness to the end of a journey which is the circle of life. But, this circle is not a perfect

sphere. There are times along this journey that life will ask us for a little more strength, compassion,

courage. When life asked my father for a little more, he looked at the task straight in the eye,

shouldered it, without hesitation, or question, regardless of the weight of life’s request, how much of it

was asked or when it was asked. He carried this load with determination and perseverance, born from

an uncompromising commitment to duty and loyalty for those who depended or relied upon him. Never

with any resentment or regret, and he did this, most often, with a wide and characteristic gold toothed

smile.

My father’s profound love for his family, immediate and extended, his duty and loyalty that he had for

God, his family and friends never wavered, and had no limits. This is what he was. He is what I always

hoped to be. He remains, part of me.

Ernesto Valente, as he had hoped, will be remembered, as

 Un Caro figlio,

 Un caro marito,

 Un caro papa,

 Un caro nonno,

 Un caro fratello,

 Un caro zio,

 and to all of you

Always

 Un amico, a friend

From the bottom of my heart and from my father, thank you.

FIRST READING

A reading from the book of Wisdom

The souls of virtuous are in the hands of God, no torment shall ever touch them.

In the eyes of the unwise, they appear to die, their going looked like a disaster,

their leaving us, like annihilation; but they are in peace.

If they experienced punishment as men see it, their hope was rich with immortality;

slight was their affliction, great will their blessings be.

God has put them to the test and proved them worthy to be with him;

he has tested them like gold in a furnace, and accepted them as a holocaust.

When the time comes for his visitation, they will shine out;

as sparks run through the stubble, so will they.

They shall judge nations, rule over peoples, and the Lord will be their king forever.

They who trust in him will understand the truth, those who are faithful will live

with him in love; for grace and mercy await those he has chosen.

This is the word of the Lord.

Per I Defunti II

Come nella morte del Cristo, anche nella nostra morte

`e contenuta la promessa della risurrezione

Invochiamo il Dio dei nostri padri

con le preghiere che la fede ci ispirs.

R. Mostraci, Signore, la tua misericordia.

Per il nostro fratello defunto Ernesto,

perche` il Dio della misericordia

Io introduca nel suo pellegrinaggio terreno, preghiamo.

Per il nostro defunto,

perche` il dolore e l' angoscia della morte

si trasformino nella gioia senza fine, preghiamo.

Per i parenti, i familiari, gli amici,

perche` vivano confede quest' ora di sofferenza,

come attesa di una piena e duratura comunione

con tutti coloro che si sono addormentati in Cristo, preghiamo.

Per le comunita` cristiane,

perche` nel ricordo dei pastori e dei fratelli defunti

annunzino a tutti gli uomini i nuovi cieli e la nuova terra

che Dio ha preparato per coloro che lo amano, preghiamo.

Per noi qui presenti,

perche` la partecipazione alla mensa del Signore

ci ottenga la grazia di vivere e morire

nella fede del nostro Battesimo, preghiamo.

Ascolta, Dio fedele,

il grido della nostra speranza,

come un giorno hai esaudito tuo Figlio,

che ha preso su di se` le sofferenze

e le attese di tutti gli uomini.

Per Cristo nostro Signore.