Mullen, 24, died Feb. 4, of unknown causes, hours after completing Navy training exercises in San Diego, Calif.

Father Gentile, parochial vicar of the Manalapan parish where Mullen had received all his Sacraments, served as principal celebrant and homilist at the Mass; concelebrants included Father Daniel Peirano, pastor, and Msgr. Sam Sirianni, dean of western Monmouth County and rector of St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold.

The Mass was a faith-filled blend of Mullen’s two loves: family and service. As the Naval hymn “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” was sung, the casket was attended by a Navy honor guard, one carrying the traditional triangle-shaped American flag intended for the deceased’s family. The overflowing congregation included family, friends, Naval personnel, police, firefighters, EMTs, Knights of Columbus, members of the St. Thomas More faith community and some 700 livestream viewers, a testament to Mullen’s “strength and desire to serve,” Father Gentile continued.

“Our Christian faith tells us Jesus himself suffered and died, but rose again,” he said. “Through death, we receive new life.” Gazing at Mullen’s mother, Regina, seated in the front pew, Father Gentile said, “She is a shining example of what it means to be a loving mother. I think of Mary, mother of Jesus, standing at the foot of the Cross. [Regina] knows, too, Kyle’s death is not in vain. There will be more good that comes from this.”

Father Gentile recalled the community’s show of support the evening of Feb. 22 as a long line of police vehicles had escorted the hearse containing Mullen’s body from Newark International Airport to the Freeman Funeral Home in Manalapan. Hundreds of supporters lined Route 9 and quietly waving flags as the hearse passed.

“He would want us to carry on,” Father Gentile said. “We recognize that God is with us. This great country of the United States of America was founded on the principle of recognizing God. He is at peace in the hands of God. May his gift of faith, gift of service and dedication continue to enlighten us, give us the strength and courage to move on.”

Mullen’s family eulogized the man of faith and advocate of honor. Mullen’s older brother, T.J., recalled how the family would gather each year to watch together the Christmas classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

“It is said that ‘no man is a failure who has friends,’” quoted T.J. “If that is true, then Kyle is one of the most successful people to have ever walked this earth.”

The Navy seaman’s mother, Regina, earned prolonged applause from the congregation for her gratitude for their support and strong demeanor throughout the Mass. She read a maxim credited to football player Jerry Rice from a poster that had been attached to the wall of her son’s room in California.

“‘Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can do what others can’t,’” she said. Reading from an essay the young man had written when he was 12 years old, she continued with a quote from Henry Ford, one which aptly summarized her late son’s determination and faith.

“Nothing in life comes easy, there are always obstacles, it just matters whether you choose to pay attention to them or not. The obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the goal.”

Mullen is survived by his mother, Regina; his brother, TJ, and TJ’s fiancée, Liz. Details on a larger memorial service will be shared as they are finalized. The family requests donations to the Navy SEAL Foundation in Kyle’s honor at www.navysealfoundation.org or to the GiveButter Campaign at givebutter.com/kylemullen where funds will be used to support future memorials, scholarships or programs so Kyle will continue to have a positive impact in the years to come.