Today, I read the sad news that a body recently discovered on Mount Baldy by hikers has been positively identified as that of actor and St. Thomas the Apostle, Hollywood member, Julian Sands. When Julian disappeared in January after hiking on Mount Baldy on a day when there was a break in winter storms, I – and many others, I’m sure – had secretly hoped that he somehow had found shelter from the unprecedented amounts of snow and ice that were assaulting the San Gabriel Mountains. In that scenario, I thought that he might eventually emerge from the mountains, weak and debilitated, but alive. As the months have gone by, I understood the probability of that outcome was slim to none, but deep down, I still held on to a tiny bit of hope.

Today, when I saw the breaking news story confirming Julian’s death, my eyes filled with tears. I felt a mixture of emotions: sad about his untimely and accidental death, and also relief that his poor family and friends could finally properly grieve. I can’t imagine anything more difficult than having someone you love seemingly disappear off the face of the earth. How terrible it would be to have that lack of closure.

Though Julian was not a personal friend of mine, I saw him routinely at the 8 am Mass on Sunday mornings at St. Thomas, the Apostle. I had, in fact, seen him the Sunday before he disappeared and had knelt near him at the altar rail for Communion. On that day, he did not look like a man who knew that his life was drawing to a close. I find this a great lesson to contemplate today with the confirmation of his death.

May light perpetual shine upon you, Julian. I pray that your family will find solace in this sad news so they can now properly grieve. May God be with them as they honor your life and commemorate your death, and may you now rest eternally in peace.

Julian Sands