'A great life': Bishop Emeritus Daniel Patrick Reilly honored at funeral Mass

WORCESTER ― Clergy at the Cathedral of Saint Paul were led by a processional cross, followed by candles and incense Wednesday morning to honor Daniel Patrick Reilly, the fourth bishop of Worcester, who died last week.

The procession, with Worcester Bishop Robert Joseph McManus at the end and also including Cardinal Sean Patrick O'Malley, the archbishop of Boston, led Reilly's coffin toward the altar; incense filled the air.

Concelebrants also included Fall River Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha; Providence Bishop Richard G. Henning; Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne; Norwich, Connecticut; Bishop Michael R. Cote; Portland, Maine, Bishop James T. Ruggieri.

Reilly died June 18 at age 96. On Wednesday morning, the cathedral was filled with parishioners who respected and loved him.

McManus, who delivered the mass's homily, hailed Reilly's devotion to the church.

"[He] never lost the joy and devotion as a priest and bishop through," McManus said. "Daniel Patrick Reilly was a man of the church."

McManus said he visited Reilly a "couple of weeks ago" to celebrate Reilly's birthday. McManus said Reilly grabbed his hand, and said, "hasn't it been a great life."

McManus told stories of Reilly's 49 years as a priest and bishop, including a time they both met Pope John Paul II. McManus described Reilly's "excitement" at the time – especially, McManus said, when Reilly grasped the pope's hand and kissed his ring.

"I will never forget the tender gesture of such faithful devotion and love to the successor of St. Peter," McManus said.

Pope John Paul II appointed Reilly was named bishop of Worcester in 1994. He submitted his resignation on May 12, 2003, his 75th birthday, at which point he became bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Worcester.

Reilly, one of nine children, was born in Providence, on May 12, 1928, son of Francis E. and Mary A. (Burns) Reilly.

McManus said Reilly understood what it meant to be a bishop and to serve the Catholic Church.

"My fervent prayer for Bishop Reilly, my brother, my mentor and my friend, is that when he closed his eyes in the sleep of death, he opened his eyes on the other side to see the beautiful face of the risen Christ, who is the eternal high priest and to hear the voice of the one who called him many years ago," McManus said. "May Daniel Patrick Reilly rest forever in the presence of our Father's house in heaven."

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Bishop Emeritus Daniel Patrick Reilly honored at funeral Mass