Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrated Mass on the 25th anniversary of Bishop John R. Keating’s death at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington March 22. Family members of Bishop Keating joined via livestream.
Bishop Keating was appointed the second bishop of Arlington by Pope John Paul II June 7, 1983, and was consecrated Aug. 4 that year. Bishop Keating died of a heart attack during his ad Limina visit to Rome March 22, 1998, at the age of 63, just two days after an audience with Pope John Paul II.
“The anniversary of Bishop Keating’s death is a powerful reminder of the lesson that ‘we are dust and unto dust we shall return,’ ” said Bishop Burbidge during the homily. “In other words, our life here on earth is merely a journey, leading us to a destination for which we all long: life forever with God in the kingdom of heaven.”
After Mass, Bishop Burbidge went to the cathedral crypt accompanied by priests and prayed by the tomb of Bishop Keating. The crypt was left open after the Mass so parishioners could pay their respects.
