Dom Franco RIP Funeral Mass

Unusually for here the remains of Dom Franco were not buried until Sunday morning. The heat has a big influence on the speed of a funerals here. I think too the delay was to allow the Arch-bishop of Cuiabá and other bishops to attend the funeral. It also allowed people from the far away parishes to attend. I know a bus load from Juruena traveled by bus the day before and slept in the bus overnight. We in Castanheira are the nearest parish outside of Juina (1 hour), still we were late and I had to take my place on the altar after the funeral started. Having no seat on the altar, I was in a good position to photograph the funeral mass.

The "Empty" Cathedral Chair

Dom Milton, Arch-bishop of Cuiabá was the main celebrant of the funeral mass, and is now the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese, pending the appointment of a new bishop for Juina Diocese.

Eight bishops were able to attend, and Padre George, The Kitegan Superior in South America was able to attend from São Paulo. Considering the difficulty in travelling here, we were surprised so many were able to attend.

The Congregation (inside - there was twice as many outside) hands towards heaven as we prayed the Our Father.

The sadness of the woman as she looks at Dom Franco's remains captures the sadness of many people there that day.

After the Funeral Mass was over and before the Final Commendation, the people outside were allowed to enter and pay their last respects to Dom Franco.

The bishops gather around for the prayers of Final Commendation.

Dom Franco's Remains was carried by the priests outside of the church for the people outside to see and then back in again to his final resting place underneath the side altar.

The cortege coming back into the cathedral.

The priests place Dom Franco's remains under the side altar.

Bishops, priests and people and camera crews.

No standing on ceremony or sensitivities here, as soon as the prayers were said a work man wheeled in a barrow of cement and bricks and proceeded to seal up the grave.

"Francisco", son of our local dentist, looks on not understanding.

Some of the crowd in the Cathedral.

Dom Franco Dalla Valle R.I.P.

I took this picture of him (from a distance), last May at the Popes Mass in São Paulo.