About 600 people came out on Saturday for a Mass of Remembrance, celebrated by Archbishop Nelson Perez, in front of the former St. Leo the Great Church, destroyed by a fire in May.
St. Leo, 6658 Keystone St. (at Unruh Avenue), opened in 1884 and closed in 2014, remaining a worship site until 2019. Earlier this year, the archdiocese sold the church to a real estate company.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ruled the Mother’s Day fire was incendiary, with speculation centering on squatters or young people who were illegally trespassing.
City Councilman Bobby Henon worked with the archdiocese, city agencies and former St. Leo parishioners to set up the Mass, which was live-streamed on the Walter J. Meyers Funeral Home website.
A procession brought various items to the altar: flags, flowers and a St. Leo statue, centennial book, T-shirt and mission statement. The class of 1966 (St. Leo Elementary School closed in 2005) laid a wreath in front of the church.
Perez was joined on the altar by the Rev. Dennis Gill, rector of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul; the Rev. Joseph Farrell, the last pastor at St. Leo and now at Our Lady of Consolation; the Rev. Joseph Campellone, former president at Father Judge; and newly ordained Deacon Pascual Mota, who lived in the former St. Leo rectory that was damaged, but not destroyed, in the fire.
Others in attendance included state Rep. Mike Driscoll and the Sisters of St. Joseph, who served St. Leo Parish. Bill Ivers handled many of the city arrangements, with Ann Marie Kuvik taking care of things on the St. Leo end.
Perez and the others stood on a stage used by The Oval, a pop-up space used by the city. In his homily, he spoke of the bittersweet day, the sadness of seeing a destroyed church and “the joy of being together.”
The archbishop was heartened to see so many people wearing T-shirts that read, “Saint Leo. 1884-2021. Tacony’s Treasure. Forever in Our Hearts.” He was also happy to see former parishioners hugging, laughing and telling stories.
“What the fire could not destroy is this St. Leo,” he said, pointing to the crowd. “It couldn’t destroy community. It couldn’t destroy church.”
As the Mass neared its end, the crowd sang an ode to St. Leo, written by the Sisters of St. Joseph.
“To Saint Leo the Great, May our Feast Day praises ring, He was victor in the strife, And has won the crown of life, We would raise songs of praise, On this happy festal day. To him on whom we call.
“Oh pray for us Saint Leo, while on the sea of life. We struggle with the wind and wave, oh aid us mid the strife! Oh pray for us Saint Leo when death’s dread hour is nigh. Oh pray for us Saint Leo and bear our souls on high!
“Carols sweet we repeat, To Saint Leo the Great, Fairest tribute we would bring, To the vicar of the King. Far and near ringing clear, Sounds of gladness now we hear, Hailing our patron dear!” ••
