SAN ANTONIO – Nearly 10,000 people paid their final respects Monday to San Antonio Archbishop Emeritus Patrick Flores.
Flores died last Monday of pneumonia and congestive heart failure. He was 87.
For many mourners, watching the casket carrying the body of Flores at San Fernando Cathedral was like witnessing a homecoming for the late archbishop.
"I came to pay my respects to the archbishop because I knew him as a priest, also, and it's just something that I have to do," Arturo Martinez, a mourner, said.
Following a special Mass for the Dead, dozens of groups took turns every 30 minutes reciting the rosary. Another 450 people attended a vigil held Monday evening.
Micaela Gonzalez, a member of the Federation Guadalupanas, said Flores was responsible for creating the religious association.
Gonzalez said that Flores presided over the confirmation of her daughter. She visited him in the nursing home.
"Very nice, very polite. (He) loved to go out to eat," she said. "Very religious. Always had something nice to say to us. Gave us advice of some kind."
Even people who didn't know Flores felt compelled to say goodbye to him.
"He was a bishop to me. He was my bishop, so I'm happy to see him. Very happy to see him," said Tina Contreras, who traveled from Seguin for the viewing.
The visitation and rosaries concluded at 10 p.m. Monday.
Visitation will resume Tuesday from 8-11 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass at 1 p.m. and interment at San Fernando Cemetery II.
Due to a large crowed expected for the funeral, a tent is set up outside the Cathedral with video screens and seating for up to 1,000 people.
On Tuesday, Dolorosa from Santa Rosa to Flores will be closed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., for the funeral at 1 p.m.
Taxi and rideshare vehicles will be allowed to drop off passengers on Flores between Commerce and Travis.