Fresh on the heels of our astoundingly successful Parish fair, come the wake services for Archbishop Philip M. Hannan, may God rest his soul.
His body arrived at the seminary this evening at 5:00p.m. The location of the seminary is easy for many to get to, and the Chapel and grounds are conducive to large public gatherings. He will lie there in state until Wednesday, and members of the public are invited to come and to pray.
In addition to the strong showing of clergy present, a lot of the Archbishop’s family from the D.C. area are in town for the funeral as well.
He will lie here, in state, through Wednesday.
Edward Cardinal Egan is in attendance as well.
Evening Prayer form the Office for the Dead was chanted, and sung.
It was a beautiful occasion.
The Archbishop’s family was telling a few stories; one is that every Christmas without fail, after Midnight and morning Masses were finished, he would fly straight to Washington D.C. and spend the evening visiting with every family member. (And they have a fairly large family!) He never missed a family Baptism, Wedding or Funeral, either.
Outside, tributes are already starting to grow. Many people hereabouts loved this man, and the work he did.
Réquiem ætérnam dona eis Dómine;
et lux perpétua lúceat eis.
Requiéscat in pace.
Amen.
