Los Angeles County’s Catholics made their way to services marking the first day of the season of Lent, Ash Wednesday, many carrying with them heavy hearts after the Feb. 18 killing of Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell.
“It has been a very sad time for the family of God here in Los Angeles,” said Archbishop José H. Gomez. “But even as we grieve, we give thanks for his life.”
Although the Catholic community is entering a celebratory season, he acknowledged that it was devastating to do so without Bishop O’Connell.
“Our hearts are heavy today,” Archbishop Gomez said. “We have lost a beloved friend and a holy priest.”
At noon, the 3,000-seat sanctuary at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles was about half-filled with worshippers ready to get the traditional cross rubbed into their foreheads.
Lent is a season of prayer, fasting and reflection that begins on Ash Wednesday, and ends after 40 days at sundown on Holy Thursday, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for that period.
When a cross is marked on worshippers’ foreheads with ashes, it represents mortality and penance for their sins. The ceremony launches the season that concludes with the holiest and most jubilant day on the Christian calendar, Easter.
In the days after the diverse flock of the sprawling L.A. archdiocese lost a cherished spiritual leader and peacemaker, Gomez encouraged the congregation to pray for the repose of O’Connell’s soul, the consolation of his family and for everyone in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles who’s mourning him.
“As we begin this holy season, we ask Bishop Dave’s intercession now from heaven,” Gomez said.
Gomez also urged the congregants to live their lives as the beloved cleric did.
“I know that he is as eager to help us from heaven,” Gomez said, “as he was eager to help us…
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