I suspect that many readers are already aware of the passing of Fr. Robert Drinan, S.J., who died yesterday at the age of 86. CNN's story lays out the contours of his colorful--and often controversial--career as a priest, attorney, civil rights activist and member of the House of Representatives.

I got to meet Drinan very briefly in 1992. My wife was a student at Georgetown Law at the time, and I was recruited to join a group of law students heading up to Philadelphia to do GOTV work for the Clinton campaign (a task which included the side benefit of consuming significant quantities of cannolli). Drinan spoke to our group before we boarded our buses, giving us such a rousing stemwinder of a speech that it made me think he was the one running for President!

Drinan told a story about the late Mo Udall, who at that time was still alive but was ill with Parkinson's disease (he passed away in 1998). Drinan had gone out to visit Udall. "Father," said Udall, "I have a request. After I die, I want to be buried in Chicago, so I can still be politically active after I've gone."

I'm sure we can debate Drinan's positions on various issues and the question of whether priests should hold political office. But today my prayer is that when Fr. Robert meets his Lord face to face, he will hear the words "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."