| IN MEMORIAM: JOHNNY D'HONDT 1953-2000 |
| Dear Johnny, When you came to Belgium and visited me, that was one of the best days of my life. We talked a lot about Soeur Sourire and Soeur Annie. We actually had a lot in common. We were both very creative minds. When you left to go back home to the States, you were so full of plans and so energetic. I admired you and I think the feeling was mutual. My parents and I expected to see you again as you promised to visit your "beloved" Belgium again. When we hugged each other at the station and said our good-byes, I didn't know I would never see you again. Your departure was quite a shock to me, as for many of your friends. I know you are safe though - you are at peace. "Entre les �toiles, le Seigneur a �crit ton nom" was your favorite song by Soeur Sourire, and I'm sure that's where you are right now. You will always occupy a special place in my heart. I'm sure we'll meet again someday "entre les �toiles". Ton amie from Belgium, Carine |
| Dear Johnny, The news of your passing left me stunned and saddened. I had never met you personally, only through your contributions to our little egroup that commemorates The Singing Nun. Yet I sensed in you a man who had enormous talent, a very intellectual mind, a zeal to be drawn to a closer union with the God you loved so much, and a sensitivity that enabled you to share the joys and sorrows of others, coupled with a vast compassion for humanity. You left us all too soon, and the void of your absence is greatly felt among us. You shared with us the projects you planned to complete what would convey your admiration for our friend, The Singing Nun and your experiences growing up amidst the changes of the Catholic Church. I am certain you were full of ideas and your creative talents knew no limits. People with creative and artistic talents are normally very sensitive, caring, gentle people, and I believe this describes the Johnny I knew online. All this is left unfinished, and we can only wonder what it might have been. That you had a calling to the religious life seemed almost evident to me and I admired you so much for that. It appeared that there was some hesitation on your part, and I didn't understand this as you were obviously very much drawn to lead a life of service to God. The call was not answered, and now that you are gone, we will never know what joy and happiness you might have found in religious community life. When tensions and debates became heated among members of our little group, you had the amazing ability to remain calm and not react with harsh words or anger. As someone who needs to learn to temper her words and reactions, I respected you for this and wished that I could learn from it. I must be honest and tell you, Johnny, that suicide is much more difficult to cope with and grieve through for those left behind. There are so many unanswered questions, feelings of guilt, and all the "if onlys". Perhaps you did reach out to us and we were too blind to see your pleas. What saddened me the most was knowing that you were alone with no one to reach out to that could have helped you in those final moments. Perhaps it wouldn't have prevented what happened, but often times having someone to hold us in our moments of deepest despair and depression, someone to share our tears, and understand our hurts and ease our pain helps us to rethink our situation more clearly and thus make better decisions. The pain of your loss will take a long time for many to heal from. But you will always be remembered fondly by those lives you touched with your warmth, friendliness, and compassion. For those who were closest to you, I pray that God will dry their tears and give them the peace of knowing that you are now with Him and have discovered the joy and happiness that you were unable to find here on earth. I have no doubt that Christ appeared to you in those last few moments when He gathered you in His arms to take you home. It must have been an incredible joy for you to gaze upon His face as He looked at you with loving eyes and told you how special you are to Him, and gave to you the gift of eternal life with Him. May His peace and love be with you always, Johnny, and know always that you are loved and thought of by all of us here who miss you greatly. Julie Walker |
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