Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....O'Donnell, Michael August 13, 1873
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Robert Woolfitt http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00034.html#0008401 March 10, 2023, 2:27 pm

Virginian-Pilot  August 16, 1873
Funeral of Mr. Michael O’Donnell. St. Mary’s was filled yesterday afternoon by the 
members of the Catholic Church and many other denominations, to pay the tribute of 
respect to the young seminarian of St. John's College, whose death we announced in 
our yesterday’s issue. The remains had been encased in a handsome burial case and 
were carried to the church early in the morning where they lay in state during the 
day. The case was beautifully decorated with evergreens, immortelles, and fragrant 
flowers and numerous wax lights surrounded it. At five o’clock, St. Patrick’s and 
St. Joseph’s Societies, under the charge of their respective Presidents, entered 
the church, with regalia and banners trimmed and draped in mourning, and occupied 
seats near the altar. The orphans of St. Mary’s Asylum were also present, as also 
the Sisters of the Asylum and Hospital, and the children of the Sodality. The Rev. 
Father O’Keefe officiated, assisted by Rev. Fathers Hagan and Hasty. A touching 
funeral discourse was preached by Father O’Keefe, and as he referred to the many 
virtues of the deceased, his devotion, true Christian sacrifice, in leaving the 
home of his loved ones, in the Isle of Saints, to enter upon Missionary duty in 
Virginia, the eyes of many in the congregation were dimmed with tears. After the 
funeral services at the church, which were of a most impressive character, the 
procession was formed as follows:
The procession was formed as follows:
1. Carriages containing clergy and seminarians.
2. St. Patrick's Beneficial Society.
3. St. Joseph’s Benevolent Society.
4. Citizens.
5. Hearse containing remains.
6. Carriages with the Sisters of St. Mary’s and St. Vincent de Paul.
7. Private carriages.
On the sidewalk, the orphans and the children of the Sodality were formed and, in 
this order, the cortege moved on to the silent city of the dead, where, in 
accordance with the solemn services of the Catholic Church, the body of the 
lamented student was returned to mother earth, while the prayers of those 
surrounding the grave ascended to heaven, begging peace for his soul. The death of 
Mr. O'Donnell is more to be lamented, from the fact that he was on the eve of 
being ordained. For nearly two years he had been pursuing his studies at St. 
John’s College, under the direction of Father O’Keefe, with whom he came to this 
country, when he returned from his visit to Ireland. 

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