BOSTON — Abandoned infants were once again remembered at a June funeral Mass at St. Anthony Shrine here.
The shrine remembered four baby girls at the June 20 Lazarus Funeral Mass in the friars’ chapel.
“As in the past, these abandoned infants are presented to the shrine for the funeral Mass and burial,” said John Maganzini, OFM. The four little coffins were draped in white palls, with a small spray of white roses, a gift from Jane Daly, Guardian’s Council member and shrine benefactor. John Jaskowiak, OFM, provided a small stuffed animal with a medal attached.
Phil O’Shea, OFM, was the celebrant, calling the infants, “new Franciscan angels,” as each child was given the name of a Franciscan saint. John and Margaret named the infants Angelina, Rose, Margaret and Veronica.
Gene Pistacchio, OFM, and Hugh Macsherry, OFM, provided the music. Daniel Murray, OFM, lectored, along with John, who ministered the cup with Margaret. Gary Convertino and Sr. Margaret Henry of the Human Services Department coordinated funeral arrangements with a local funeral home.
One of the new shrine employees, Chef Michael, said, “One just needs to sit in that chapel and witness such a Mass. A moment like that makes everything that we might complain about, so unimportant. It was so moving.”