St. Catherine Church was packed Thursday night as nearly 350
people gathered at a special Mass to remember Pope John Paul II,
who died April 3.
By Marilyn Dubil and Cheeto barrera
Staff Writers
St. Catherine Church was packed Thursday night as nearly 350 people gathered at a special Mass to remember Pope John Paul II, who died April 3.
John Paul II, 84, was buried Friday in a crypt below St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. The Mass, led by Father Gene O’Donnell, lasted approximately 90 minutes and included parishioners sharing their thoughts on the pope and a slide show featuring pictures of the late pontiff during his 26 years of leading the Roman Catholic Church..
“The Mass allowed people to express their own emotions and feelings,” said Philip Flowers, liturgy coordinator. “We were joyful in that the pope is receiving his reward. But we were sad because we lost him.” Flowers described the Mass as a traditional memorial during which scripture was read and those in attendance received communion.
“People talked about what he meant in their lives,” Flowers said. “It was quite emotional. This was our chance as a family to grieve. It is not the same as it was on TV.”
The period for mourning continues, Flowers added. There were memorial Masses and other signs of reverence and honor across the world.
Flags throughout the United States were at half-mast this week.
Flowers said he stayed up to watch the service, which began1am local time. He said he was impressed with the turnout of upwards of 4 million mourners. During the funeral, people in the crowd were calling for the canonization of the pope, to make him a saint in the Catholic Church.
“What was said last night hasn’t been said at a papal funeral for the last 1,400 years,” Flowers said. The church’s 116 cardinals eligible to vote are expected to begin the process of choosing a new pope April 18 when they meet in a closed-door conclave.
Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. She can be reached by e-mail at md****@mo*************.com or phoning (408) 779-4106 Ext. 202.
