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REMEMBERING IRIS ROPER

(published by Mass of Ages, May 2003)

On the suggestion of Leo Darroch, I visited Miss Iris Roper, a founding member of the Latin Mass Society, in a Nursing Home not far away. She had the most marvellous voice. A diminutive figure, every phrase, every expression, was dramatic, heartfelt, thoughtful. I never asked her questions. All I knew was that she was born in 1908 and lived for the Mass and for the Church. She said, "I have said to Almighty God, take my body, but please don't take my mind." Later on she said: "Science is proof without certainty. Faith is certainty without proof."

In an attic sitting-room at Hilgay, a Nursing Home in Haywards Heath, I first met her in the Summer of 2000. The next time I returned I was told that she was in the Princess Royal Hospital. Lying in a ward, she was amazed that I had found her. We were somehow kindred spirits, despite such recent acquaintance. The Hospital Chaplain arrived. In a scene reminiscent of Laurence Olivier in 'Brideshead Revisited', she explained graciously that she appreciated his visit, that she was a devotee of the Latin Mass. Then a move to a Nursing Home in Balcombe, hidden and rural, to await the move to Merlewood, a splendid place in Virginia Water. In Surrey, she struggled on. On arrival, on another occasion, again I was told that she had been taken to hospital. Travelling there I found her in a mixed ward. I was amazed that such a small figure could survive so much. Once again, this time, the so-called Chaplain arrived. This Catholic woman sat on the bed, clung on to Miss Roper's thin arm and urged her to come to an ecumenical service. Iris looked aghast. I spoke out, and defended Miss Roper from such an unwanted intrusion.

Back at Merlewood, another visit followed, until there was a long gap, and I regret that I did not visit her more. I discovered by chance that the owner of the Gallery in Shepherd Market where I exhibited my paintings was related to Geoffrey Houghton Brown, one of the founding members of the Latin Mass Society. I telephoned Iris. "Can I come and see you this afternoon?" Immediately she said yes. She had had a stroke. The familiar voice was there, but the words were not. Nonetheless, she spoke for two hours. As I left, I waved from the car park. In her theatrical way, she blew me a kiss. Five days later she died.

May we never forget the courage and the strength of the founding members of the Latin Mass Society, who struggled on in those bleak early days against all the odds. I shall never forget Iris Roper. Requiescat in Pace.