Columban Father Rufus Halley was shot dead in Lanao del Sur on 28 August 2001.

On 19 February this year the Aurora Aragon Peace Foundation and Concerned Women of the Philippines posthumously gave Father Rufus the Aurora Aragon Peace Award ‘for Peace Advocacy and Peace Making.’

The dawn has broken through

The fears and snares of darkness
Are shattered, scattered, put to rout
Hold your head up high, oh man,
And taste the sweetness of morn.

Behold, she’ll rise far to the East
Strong and gentle in silence.
Rejoice, oh man, your freedom’s nigh
The wiles, the winter, snares and shackles are no more

My God, my God, how great you are
For He has set me free.
The lush and fragrant misty dawn
Bejewelled awaits her rising sun

Whilst the morning star retires in silence
Without fanfare, her job well done
And Mother Earth enfolds us all
And bids us drink from her abundant breasts

The nectar of new life in deed
And to proclaim – He is great indeed
For He has set me free.
And I race up to the hill

And shout to far and near
To wise and prudent, strong, secure and gentle, too
He is great and He is near
And He has set me free.

Full and overflowing and bursting forth enraptured free
My heart takes flight and soars upon the heights
No eyes to sight except on high
And far below its beauties are

But just a pale reflection of His presence sure
Ever far yet ever near
Beckoning to me, on and on
He is great and now I’m free.