FATHER ANDREW HOHMAN'S LIFE IS CHANGED, NOT ENDED.
Now he is not confessor but an intercessor!
“Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy of Your Master.”
These words proclaimed in Saturday’s Gospel were most assuredly uttered yesterday evening as +Father Andrew slipped from the bonds of earth
and entered the realms of glory.
For 28 years +Father Andrew had been a confessor here at St. Paul’s Shrine. He was very special to the Poor Clares here being their spiritual director and confessor. We loved him so much. Thousands upon thousands had gone to him for Confession during that period of time. There were times when in the period for Confession the line went towards the end of the church, so many came to have the guilt of their sins washed away by this holy confessor. When one thinks of Father as confessor, one readily recalls Saint Pio (Father Pio) who was a Capuchin and Saint John Vianney for each with joy brought prodigal children home to their Lord.
Father had mentioned on more than one occasion how as a little boy his mother considered him a handful. One day his mother, who was so devoted to Our Lady, took little Andrew to church. In the stillness of the church the two processed to Our Lady’s altar. There, the mother lovingly prayed to that Mother of all mothers. “Dear Blessed Mother, here is my son Andrew. He is too much for me to handle. You take care of him.”
One can imagine Our Lady smiling and saying, “Most assuredly, I will do so. He shall become a servant of my Jesus and one of St. Francis’ dear sons.”
During World War II Father was a pilot in the armed forces and on one occasion while on a mission on a plane, the plane was damaged, most probably by enemy fire and a mechanism within the plane had malfunctioned. There was a possibility that the plane could crash and Father and the other servicemen could lose their lives. Father said how he had prayed to Our Lady and the plane reached its destination landing safely.
Father passed away Sunday evening after having suffered a massive stroke. Our Blessed Mother whom he loved so much and to whom he told all those with troubles to bring their problems, brought him to see her Beloved Son. There were probably many penitents whose confessions Father had so lovingly heard who had preceded Father in death who were waiting for him to say “Thank you, +Father Andrew. Welcome home!”
Sr. Mary Carmel PCPA Rest in Peace!