The most important thing about the third day of Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.’s, pilgrimage to Rome is that he “is resting comfortably after a successful surgery.”
While photos and Facebook posts on Jan. 4 show a smiling Bishop O’Connell enjoying some downtime touring the Pantheon and sharing a meal with priests of the Diocese, sometime in the afternoon, the Bishop suffered a heart attack and was admitted to Santo Spirito Hospital, where he underwent surgery for an artery that was completely clogged. Hours later, the Bishop asked for prayers and said he was doing well.
The Bishop became ill the day before the start of the pilgrimage he was leading for 20 priests of the Diocese and two diocesan staff. Father Jean Felicien, the Bishop’s secretary and master of ceremonies, has accompanied the Bishop since their Jan. 1 departure date.
On Jan. 3, the Bishop and Father Felicien welcomed the arrival of Msgr. Thomas N. Gervasio, Msgr. Sam Sirianni, Father Daniel Peirano and Msgr. Sirianni’s priest-brother, Father Anthony Sirianni from the Metuchen Diocese.
Later in the day on Jan. 4, Facebook posts indicated that the contingent of diocesan pilgrims who were traveling from Newark International Airport had arrived in Rome.
Father Stephen Sansevere posted a photo of Father Felicien chatting with newly arrived Father Oscar Sumanga.
Still in transit were the pilgrims who flew out of Philadelphia International Airport.
Prior to the heart attack, Bishop O’Connell’s time in Rome was off to an exciting start. On Jan. 3, he attended Pope Francis’ general audience in the Vatican’s Paul VI audience hall, where he had an opportunity to greet the Holy Father twice. The first time was as the Pope entered the hall. Bishop O’Connell and a group of other visitors were seated on the dais as well, just a few feet from the Holy Father’s chair. The second time was after the Pope’s address, when the Bishop once again shook hands with Pope Francis, and the two shared a brief conversation.
Bishop O’Connell also had an opportunity to visit and pray before the tomb of Pope Benedict XVI. The first anniversary of Pope Benedict’s death was Dec. 31.
It was Pope Benedict who named Bishop O’Connell coadjutor Bishop of Trenton June 4, 2010, then appointed him Bishop of Trenton on Dec. 1, 2010.
Members of the pilgrimage were scheduled to attend Mass with Pope Francis on Epiphany, Jan. 6. They were to gather for Mass in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls and the Basilica of St. Mary Major, both in Rome, before traveling on to Assisi, Italy.