Weeks of mourning and remembrances will culminate today in a funeral Mass for slain Roman Catholic Bishop David O’Connell at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels in Downtown Los Angeles.
O’Connell, 69, a beloved priest in the diocese, who administered its San Gabriel Valley region, was found fatally shot on Feb. 18 at his Hacienda Heights home.
The 11 a.m. Mass is expected to draw large crowds to the Cathedral, where the Rev. Jay Cunnane, pastor at St. Corneliun Church in Long Beach, will give the homily.
More than 5,000 people in total were anticipated to attend the service – and by 10 a.m., the church pews were completely full.
Folks began lining up along the aisles and behind the pews to ensure they had a view of the funeral Mass.
Friday’s Mass is the last in a unique trio of services for the charismatic bishop, which began Wednesday night at his home parish, St. John Vianney, in Hacienda Heights, followed by a viewing and vigil on Thursday.
On Friday, hundreds of people – from a convent of nuns to the everyday churchgoer – had gathered in the Cathedral’s pews by 9 a.m., awaiting the third and final Mass to honor the fallen auxiliary bishop.
Mourners solemnly broached the entrance of the sanctuary, nestled in the heart of Downtown L.A., under the city’s typically hazy and smog-ridden skies.
But on Friday morning, streaks of sun shone through the gloom, as though the city — where O’Connell had dedicated much of life and fellowship — wished to bid him a final farewell.
The church’s gilded and grand interior, adorned with artifacts of great importance to the Catholic faith, also held fragments of O’Connell’s life: Memorial funeral sprays, lit candles in his honor, and prayers to shepherd him to his resting place.
O’Connell, who became a priest in his native Ireland, only to move to L.A. to begin his ministry 45 years ago, will be interred at the Cathedral’s underground Mausoleum in a private ceremony.
O’Connell — “Bishop…
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