Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller will preside at a bilingual memorial service for Father Virgilio Elizondo, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his Wood Lawn Lake residence Monday afternoon, that will be held Saturday, March 19, at 11 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Church, where Elizondo served as parochial vicar for many years.
A number of other archdiocese priests will serve as concelebrants. St. Rose of Lima is located at 9883 Marbach Rd. Fr. David Garcia, director of the Old Spanish Missions, former rector of San Fernando Cathedral, and a longtime friend of Fr. Virgil, will serve as homilist at the Mass.
A private internment service for family members will take place at a later date. The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s office ruled Elizondo’s death a suicide on Tuesday.
Archbishop García-Siller issued this statement late Monday night in the wake of Fr. Virgil’s death:
“I join the priests of the Archdiocese of San Antonio as we are deeply saddened and stunned by the news of the death of Father Virgilio Elizondo on March 14. This is an occasion for great sorrow, as his death was sudden and unexpected.
“Father Virgil had served as rector of San Fernando Cathedral, and pursued scholarly work in Latino theology, evangelization, faith and spirituality, and culture. He had also been a long-time theology professor at the University of Notre Dame, and was the author of several books.
“At this devastatingly sad time for Father Virgil’s family – especially his sister – as well as his brother clergy, co-workers and friends, we offer our most profound sympathies. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all. I pray for all those who mourn Father Virgil and for the repose of his soul. In this Year of Mercy, we now commend him to the saving mercy of our God, who is compassionate and full of mercy and love. This is most fitting and proper.
“Eternal rest, grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.”
Top image: Fr. Virgilio P. Elizondo, then professor at the University of Notre Dame, delivers a keynote address for the 2014 Nyvall Lecture at North Park Theological Seminary. Image via YouTube.
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