Those were the words in the subject line of an e-mail just sent to me by The Anchoress. Fr. Richard John Neuhaus died early this morning from cancer. He was 72.

Over at First Things, there is this poignant note:

My tears are not for him—for he knew, all his life, that his Redeemer lives, and he has now been gathered by the Lord in whom he trusted.

I weep, rather for all the rest of us. As a priest, as a writer, as a public leader in so many struggles, and as a friend, no one can take his place. The fabric of life has been torn by his death, and it will not be repaired, for those of us who knew him, until that time when everything is mended and all our tears are wiped away.

Eternal rest grant unto him, oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

You can read more about his remarkable life and legacy in John Allen’s excellent obit.