Today, we are here to grieve the loss of a precious child of God. Romeo Montague, a young man who was like a son to me, has sadly passed this realm. Although fate has already accomplished its deed, we can still remember the legacy Romeo has left at such a tender age.

I first knew Romeo as a little boy, born into a society that was engrossed in hatred. Romeo lived not only an extraordinary life but also a lonely one. Often, Romeo’s parents did not have the time to look after little Romeo. He would frequently wander out into the dark, desolate streets of Verona in search of adventure, often winding up in trouble. Once, he was caught stealing a loaf of bread out of a dare from his best and only friend, Benvolio. As the bread merchant berated him with insults, I came along and paid for that loaf of bread and took Romeo to my cell. There, I befriended him and instilled upon him the fundamentals of life, teaching him how to act properly, how to treat everyone fairly and with equality and how to live life in peace. I taught him to disregard this conflict and always acquire new friends not enemies.

As the springs swept by like a breeze on a calm day, I witnessed a young, arrogant boy blossom into a gentle and pleasant young man. One day, Romeo visited me in order to seek my advice. He was lovesick and depressed that a young woman by the name of Rosaline has resisted his love and decided to become a nun. Sympathetically, I counseled him and advised him, as his friends Mercutio and Benvolio did, to seek another woman in Verona. Before long, Romeo was back yet again; this time his message rendered me in a state of utter disbelief. Romeo has found a new love, and this time this love was true. I remembered Romeo saying such words as,

“Then plainly know my heart’s dear love is set

On the fair daughter of rich Capulet:

As mine on hers, so hers is set on mine;

And all combined, save what thou must combine” – Act II, Scene III, 57 – 60

His words pronounced an altitude of love so deep and so dedicated that I could not think rationally. Despite my warning, relentless Romeo decided to marry Juliet in my presence, something only my enduring affection for Romeo and my belief in the Lord allowed me to consent.

Romeo was always a persistent young man, sometimes impulsive and irrational but always the determined and caring young man that I knew. I felt my heart suffocate when I heard the news of Romeo’s banishment and Mercutio’s death. Not long after Romeo’s departure to Mantua, Juliet came to me to beg a solution to stop her impending marriage to Paris. I, being a man of God, decided to provide a potion to Juliet: one that would make her seemingly dead for forty-two hours. If I had the power to reverse time, I would alter that accursed choice that I made, for it ultimately led to the death of my beloved Romeo. As I watched the bloodied sun shine over the Capulet tomb, I suffered immense guilt over Romeo’s death. When I walked towards the maws of death I overheard Romeo’s last few words,

“Here’s to my love! O true apothecary!

Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.” – Act 5, Scene 3, 119 – 120

I will be forever amazed on how a person can be so defiant. Romeo was always a defiant man. He defied society, he defied conflict and he defied death for love. May his defiance serve as a reflection on the courage and bravery this young man his shown until the very end. May you rest in peace, Romeo.