REUVEN Simon and Joseph Sebastian were meant to start their A-level studies at St Columb's college yesterday.
Instead, in scenes of unimaginable heart-break, they were laid out, dressed in their crisp new uniforms in open coffins before the altar of St Mary's Catholic Church, Ardmore in Derry.
Life-long friends, they were buried together according to the Rites of their own Syro-Malabar church. Requiem Mass perfectly blended all aspects of their short lives. The priests of the Syro-Malabar spoke in English and in the Malayalam language of the Kerala district in India.
Dressed in the cloaks of their faith, the seven celebrants chanted as Reuven and Joseph’s families and friends from all over Ireland placed flowers on their open coffins, gently bathing the two drowning victims in petals. Eventually, the flowers filled the altar at St Mary's where the boys had worshipped all their lives.
Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown and Waterside parish priest Fr Michael Canny represented the other part of the lives in Derry.
But it was the strength and closeness of the Kerala community more than anything which shone through yesterday’s heart-rending scenes; that and the absolute love that that community showed for its two teenage sons. One by one, young friends set aside the embarrassment so normally evident in teenage years to speak openly of their “love” for “Joppu and Reuven” and to recall their “beauty”.
As the two teenagers were brought to St Mary's, their classmates and teachers from St Columb's formed a guard of honour. Addressing their Requiem Masses, St Columb’s principal Finbar Madden said Reuven and Joseph were true “college boys” and that was the greatest tribute he could pay them.
He told the boys' families that the school had been overwhelmed with message of support - including from minister for education Michelle McIlveen - since the tragic events of Monday evening at Enagh Lough. He promised the school family would hold Reuven and Joseph's families in their hearts. He said the boys were to start their A-level studies yesterday. However, instead of celebration it had become a day of desolation.
"Reuven and Joseph were college boys. It is a name of honour that we give to those young men who live the example of what our school stands for," he said.
Joseph and Reuven were measured against the "quality of their characters". And by that measure they were never found wanting.
Five of the boys' friends told the congregation Reuven and Joseph would live in their hearts for ever. They recalled happy memories. One said they were more like family than just friends.
"Reuven and I would talk late into night and if there was anything wrong we would help each other," he said.
Joseph was one of the funniest people the friends had met, the young man said. He had a talent for football and making people happy.
"I will miss you both so much but all the memories we shared will live in my heart forever. I love you both," he said.
Other friends also spoke of love and brotherhood. One recalled staying over with each other. He said Reuven knew of his fear of the dark and was always there to comfort him.
"That’s the thing about Reuven; he’s fearless," he recalled.
As young speaker after young speaker spoke of their close bonds, the congregation broke out into spontaneous applause, spreading from the church to the grounds were hundreds of people had gathered to watch Mass on a large screen.
And, as Requiem Mass drew to a close and, after the congregation had paid individual tribute, it fell to Reuven’s parents, Joshy and Saly and Joseph’s parents, Sebastian and Viji to step forward and gently kiss their boys for one last time. Then in absolute silence, their coffins were once again closed and they were carried to the final place of rest in the adjoining St Mary's graveyard.
