Norwalk priest suffers heart attack at wedding Mass
Something didn't feel right

2020-09-25T07:39:14-07:00September 25th, 2020|

That attitude — and memories of the young priest’s zeal for Christ — are what is left to console grieving parishioners, relatives, and fellow priests stunned by the news of the 43-year-old’s sudden passing Saturday, Sept. 19, after collapsing at the start of a wedding at St. Linus Church in Norwalk, where he served as administrator.

“He passed away doing what he loved: celebrating the Eucharist,” said Rafael Alvarez, a St. Linus parishioner and seminarian at the Queen of Angels Center for Priestly Formation. “That was one of his most joyful moments.”

Alvarez was there assisting Father San Juan as he entered the parish’s canopied “outdoor church,” kissed the altar, and waited for the wedding party to process toward the altar. But a few moments later, something “didn’t feel right”: to Alvarez’s surprise, Father San Juan went to sit in the presider’s chair before falling to the ground.

Paramedics were called and attempted CPR on Father San Juan, who had suffered an apparent heart attack, before taking him to PIH Whittier Hospital while another priest at St. Linus, Father Marco Reyes, stepped in to continue the wedding….

The above comes from a Sept. 24 story in Angelus News.

 

3 Comments

  1. Anne TE September 25, 2020 at 11:55 am - Reply

    It is so sad that this young priest passed away so early in life. May, Fr. San Juan, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

  2. mike m September 25, 2020 at 7:38 pm - Reply

    RIP for Fr San Juan.
    Prayers for the wedding couple, and the guests, who will never forget the sad circumstances surrounding the day.

  3. Anonymous September 26, 2020 at 1:52 am - Reply

    Eternal Rest grant unto him, O Lord and let perpetual Light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

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