Heavy-Hearted Flock to Churches

In formal Masses and private reflections, Roman Catholics flocked to Southern California churches Friday to pray for Pope John Paul II, expressing reverence for his life and concern about his impending death.

Some worshipers revamped vacation plans, traveled miles on public transit or even showed up in church for the first time in years to offer prayers, as news spread that the pope was nearing the end of his extraordinary, 26-year pontificate.

At a noontime Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles, Cardinal Roger M. Mahony prepared the packed congregation of more than 3,500 for bad news from the Vatican.

“It is obvious that death is imminent for our Holy Father,” said Mahony, dressed in white vestments and a red skullcap. “So we are here to accompany him with our love and our prayers on this last leg of the journey.”

Worshipers across the region lighted candles, said the Rosary and shared stories of lives touched and transformed by John Paul’s leadership.

Donna Wilson, who attended the cathedral Mass, said the pontiff inspired her to become a Catholic because of the way he brought people together as a symbol of unity and love.

“It’s like losing someone in my family,” she said, tears welling in her eyes. “He’s such a wonderful man, and this was my way to come show my respect.”

Miles away at Mission San Buenaventura in Ventura, Chris Eul said the pope’s struggles with illness had taught her family about perseverance. Her daughter Veronica, 23, survived two open-heart surgeries; like John Paul, the family drew on its faith to endure the ordeals.

During a noontime Mass at St. Monica Catholic Church in Santa Monica, Msgr. Lloyd Torgerson spoke of John Paul’s bountiful life. The prelate told the more than 150 people gathered, twice the normal daily attendance, that the pope’s ministry was aptly captured by the Latin phrase on his bishop’s crest before he became pontiff: “Totus tuus,” or “All yours.”

“If there were ever a person who did that, it was John Paul II ... his life, his incredible spirit, his undaunted energy,” Torgerson said. “I presume we’ll know him as the Great Evangelizer, as the person who took the great message of the good word to every nook and cranny of this Earth.”

Cesar Castillo, a parishioner at St. Pius V Church in Buena Park, was influenced by the pope’s global evangelism. He said he was living in Peru when he saw the pontiff on TV and, based on the power of that moment, renewed his faith in God.

“I remember being struck by the sincerity of his words. He seemed like a prophet to me,” said Castillo, 50. “I loved his humanity and his ability to identify with and help the needy. Previous popes never left the Vatican, but this pope went places where there were real problems.”

Fellow parishioner Marta Baltazar, 40, recalled how John Paul’s visit to Mexico City while she was a teenager there renewed her faith.

“He loved Mexico, and I was very touched by that,” she said. “It’s not common for a person to go and share with other people.”

Others spoke of the pope’s passionate conviction to preach Catholic doctrines without compromise. Although his unwavering stands against birth control, women’s ordination and optional priestly celibacy sparked opposition from some Catholics, they drew admiration from others.

“I’ve loved this Holy Father; he led with [biblical] truth in a world that often doesn’t want to hear the truth,” Anaheim resident Rosemary Thomas, 55, said at a noon Mass at Holy Family Cathedral in Orange.

News of the pope’s grave condition changed the plans of many people in the Southland.

One Illinois family interrupted its Los Angeles vacation and showed up, in sandals and shorts, for Mass at St. Monica.

Ted and Marilyn Steinbrecher, along with their 17-year-old son, Andy, said the pontiff had deepened their spiritual life with his devotion to Mary, his commitment to evangelize among youths and his fearless stands against communism and war.

In 2001, the mother and son traveled to Toronto for one of the pope’s World Youth Days and said they were struck by his refusal to retreat from outdoor preaching despite rainstorms.

“He was frail even then, but he was going to get through that event for the kids no matter what,” Marilyn Steinbrecher recalled. “His determination was amazing.”

Jim Jochimsen and daughter Victoria, 14, were headed to Universal Studios when radio reports about the pope’s condition led them to turn around and go to the cathedral downtown. “It was the thing to do,” he said.

Alicia Perez took a bus and two Metro lines from Compton to attend noon Mass at Our Lady Queen of Angels Church -- La Placita -- near Olvera Street. The monthly Mass to pray for the sick took on special meaning.

“I am very sad, because I went through this when my dad died,” Perez said. “It’s hard to see them agonize.”

But, with candles, prayers and love, thousands of Catholics across the Southland did what they could to help their Holy Father to a peaceful passing.

Ventura resident Marcela Gonzalez, 26, bought a candle and walked several blocks to Mission San Buenaventura with her two children, her first visit to a church in years. “I just felt a need to come here and say a prayer for him,” she said. “I prayed that he wouldn’t suffer.”

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Times staff writers Susana Enriquez, Natasha Lee, William Lobdell, Seema Mehta and Claudia Zequeira contributed to this report.