As Jerome Hall, SJ, wove together each Sunday's prayers and readings in Pastoral Liturgy, it was apparent that he believed that how we worship reflects what we believe and determines how we live. At the end of the exegesis of the readings in the Preparing for Sunday section of the magazine, he queried readers on how their lives intersected with the Gospel. Typical of Hall's questions were: "Where do we reach out to the lost and the needy? How has our parish reached out to those sheep who may be frightened and feeling alone?"

We are saddened to report that the author of the Preparing for Sunday articles died on March 11, 2009, at Georgetown Medical Center, while with his parents, Marie and James, and brothers, James and John. His insights will be missed by the readers of Pastoral Liturgy, his students at Washington Theological Union, his family, the Jesuit community, and many friends and colleagues. Our thoughts and prayers are with all who knew and loved him.

Hall, 59, is being remembered as a brilliant and holy man who was ever attentive to the needs of those around him. "He was the Jesuit's Jesuit. Graciousness and kindness were his hallmark," said Theresa Koernke, IHM, who taught with him in the Word and Worship Department of Washington Theological Union.

Koernke added, "He was not only a wonderful colleague, he was a precious friend. We're all in some degree of shock."

Paul Colloton, OP, echoed Koernke. "He reminded me of Christ the Host in his attentiveness to others. He was always looking out for people—a smile, a nod, a warm touch. He wanted to be sure that people had what they needed, whether it was in the assembly or a social gathering."

Colloton continued, "His holiness was centered both in his liturgical spirituality and his Jesuit spirituality. He loved the liturgy. His life was about giving praise to God, embodying Christ and giving witness to the presence of the Spirit. With his Jesuit spirituality, it was clear that he was a 'companion of Jesus,' as Jesuits were originally called by Ignatius. He had a sense that every day, every breath was a gift from God. He had a desire to give back to God what he had received."

That included offering his baritone voice in song, when it was needed, whether as a cantor at the papal Mass in Washington, D.C., in 1979, or at a local gathering. Fordham University Assistant Professor Judith Kubicki, CSSF, recalled accompanying Hall on the piano as he sang during Evening Prayer while the two pursued doctoral degrees at The Catholic University of America. "Jerry had a wonderfully robust and beautiful singing voice. He shared that talent whenever asked."

He also was happy to make accommodations for others to share their talents. Mary Lee Johnston said that years ago, while she was among a parish quintet that Hall directed, her infant was welcomed in the church's choir loft. "He loved babies," she noted.

"Jerry had a gentle spirit and a kind heart," recalled Anne Koester, associate director of The Georgetown Center for Liturgy. "He was one of those people who was simply easy to be with. I also greatly admired his excellent skills as a writer."

Within Hall's gentle spirit was a brilliant mind, noted Lawrence Madden, SJ, the founder and director of The Georgetown Center for Liturgy. Hall already had graduated from high school at age 16, when he entered the Jesuits, Madden explained. Hall's doctorate in liturgical and sacramental theology and master's degree in vocal performance were from CUA. Informally, he studied art and architecture while teaching at the Gregorian University in Rome. That prepared him to lead a group through churches for 13 days when the Georgetown Center for Liturgy sponsored a tour of Rome. "He never forgot anything," Madden said. "Jerry was the expert on art and architecture."

Theology, music, and architecture were only some of his interests. Madden recalled sailing on the Chesapeake Bay with his friend. "He was a very experienced sailor. He had sailed as a kid in New England."

Always his prime interest, though, were those he encountered. J-Glenn Murray, SJ, recalled the concern Hall had for others. "I can say without reserve that he was the glue for our local Jesuit community at St. Aloysius Gonzaga. He was a gentle, loving man. He will be sorely missed."

Murray added that he and others are responding to the death with sadness. "I will miss the light that he brings. I will miss the joy that he brings, and that's sad."

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., and the Mass of Christian Burial at 8:15 PM, March 16 at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church, 19 I Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.