Ashes of Mexican COVID-19 victims blessed at St. Patrick's

Ashes of Mexican COVID-19 victims blessed at St. Patrick’s Cathedral

It was a somber, solemn burden being carried at St. Patrick’s Cathedral Saturday, where the cremated remains of Mexicans who died of COVID-19 were given a blessing before their journey home.

Organizers cover the boxed cremated remains of Mexicans who died from COVID-19 before a service at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Saturday, July 11, 2020, in New York. — Organizers cover the boxed cremated remains of Mexicans who died from COVID-19 before a service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Saturday, July 11, 2020, in New York.AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez

Jorge Islas Lopez, the Consul General of Mexico, in a black suit, tie, and wearing a white face mask, carried a dark wooden box filled with ashes from the church alter after the service led by New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan.

Mourners carry out the remains of loved ones following the blessing of the ashes of Mexicans who died from COVID-19 at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Saturday, July 11, 2020, in New York. — Mourners carry out the remains of loved ones following the blessing of the ashes of Mexicans who died from COVID-19 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Saturday, July 11, 2020, in New York.AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez

Mourners, including those who brought flowers and pictures of the dead, filled the pews. Each of the dozens of boxes of ashes blessed during the event were then loaded into a van for the trip.