Father Virgil Cordano, O.F.M., legendary spiritual figure and inspirational icon at the Old Mission Santa Barbara entered eternal life peacefully in Santa Barbara late in the afternoon of May 22, 2008, with members of the religious community and his nephews by his side. He was 89 years old. Bells in the Old Mission tower tolled solemnly to announce to the city that their beloved "Father Virgil" had passed.
Father had recently been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. In spite of other illnesses this past year, he presided at Mass, conducted theological reflection groups, heard the confessions of second graders at Marymount School, and made home visits to sick and dying friends. For the past six months he had been cared for at the Vista Del Monte Center and recently at Mission Terrace Convalescent Hospital.
Father was born in Sacramento, California, to Victor and Mary Cordano, Italian immigrants who came to Sacramento from Genoa, Italy. At his Baptism he was given the name of George. He had four brothers James, Andrew, Garfield, and Raymond. They attended a traditional Catholic parochial school in their native Sacramento. At the age of twelve, George recognized his priestly calling. In 1934, as a teenager, he entered Saint Anthony's Seminary in Santa Barbara and graduated in 1939 as class valedictorian.
Father took the name of Virgil when he received his Franciscan habit. He was ordained a priest in 1945. Except for five years in studies elsewhere, including earning a doctorate at the Catholic University in Washington, D. C., Father Virgil spent the rest of his life in ministry in Santa Barbara in various capacities. He served the area as a seminary rector, parochial pastor, professor, author, Mission curator and pastor at the Santa Barbara Mission.
He served as pastor of the Santa Barbara Mission from 1976 to 1994. Since then, he has served as pastor emeritus and director of community relations, linking the Mission to the Santa Barbara community. He was a faithful Franciscan friar for 69 years and a priest for 63 years.
Mario T. Garcia, University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) history professor and his biographer, wrote, "Fr Virgil Cordano, OFM, is a shining example of everything that is good about the Catholic Church." Harriet Miller, a former mayor of Santa Barbara said, "Fr Virgil is the heart and soul of Santa Barbara." Fr. Virgil's life and work led Congresswoman Lois Capps to write, "This priest and pastor is equally at home blessing the fishing fleet and the Los Rancheros Visitadores as he is saying Mass at the Monastery of the Poor Clares or sitting by the bedside of a dying parishioner." Annually, he blessed a group of leather-clad motorcyclists who rode up to the Mission in a long parade.
Father was a strong believer in interfaith dialogue, and was named Santa Barbara's Man of the Year in 1988. When Capps' congressman husband, Walter, a Lutheran, died in 1997, his funeral was held at the Santa Barbara Mission, where Cordano officiated with a Lutheran pastor. Fr Virgil's life was a testimony in itself and a witness to the love of God for all people, no matter what faith, or how much faith.
Since 1963, Father served on the board of directors for the Old Spanish Days, La Fiesta Pequeña, acting as a sort of spokesman for the annual event. He blessed every board meeting and events he attended, encouraging all Santa Barbarans to come together in unity. Tim Taylor, a fifth-generation Santa Barbaran and this year's Old Spanish Days El Presidente, visited Father's bedside the day before he passed. As he got ready to leave, he looked to the sky above the historic Santa Barbara Mission, and said a traditional farewell, "Vaya con Dios, my friend." ("Go with God, my friend.")
Taylor said, "Father was truly larger than life in this town. He will be missed, but he will always be in our hearts."
Father Virgil was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Mary, and four brothers, James, Andrew, Garfield and Raymond. Besides his Franciscan family, he is survived by immediate family members, his nephews James Cordano and Alan Cordano of Sacramento, and nieces Mary K. King of Carmel, and Patricia Garnero of Monterey.
Father Virgil's body will lie in state for public prayerful viewing on Wednesday and Thursday, May 28-29, 2008, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Old Mission Santa Barbara. On Wednesday, a Morning Prayer Service will be at 9:00 am and an Ecumenical Funeral Prayer Service at 7:00pm. Rosary at Old Mission on Thursday will be recited at 12:00 noon, and Evening Prayer Vigil Service at 7:00pm.
Funeral Mass: Outdoors on the front steps of the Old Mission on Friday, May 30, 2008, at 11:00 am in Santa Barbara.
Burial in a private family service will take place at the Friars Vaults at the Old Mission following the funeral.
In honor of Fr. Virgil, and at his request, contributions may be made to the Father Virgil Cordano Living Memory Fund for the preservation and advancement of Old Mission Santa Barbara at 2201 Laguna St., Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
Mario Garcia's presentation of the book he authored about Father Virgil Cordano: Padre: The Spiritual Journey of Father Virgil Cordano
Father had recently been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. In spite of other illnesses this past year, he presided at Mass, conducted theological reflection groups, heard the confessions of second graders at Marymount School, and made home visits to sick and dying friends. For the past six months he had been cared for at the Vista Del Monte Center and recently at Mission Terrace Convalescent Hospital.
Father was born in Sacramento, California, to Victor and Mary Cordano, Italian immigrants who came to Sacramento from Genoa, Italy. At his Baptism he was given the name of George. He had four brothers James, Andrew, Garfield, and Raymond. They attended a traditional Catholic parochial school in their native Sacramento. At the age of twelve, George recognized his priestly calling. In 1934, as a teenager, he entered Saint Anthony's Seminary in Santa Barbara and graduated in 1939 as class valedictorian.
Father took the name of Virgil when he received his Franciscan habit. He was ordained a priest in 1945. Except for five years in studies elsewhere, including earning a doctorate at the Catholic University in Washington, D. C., Father Virgil spent the rest of his life in ministry in Santa Barbara in various capacities. He served the area as a seminary rector, parochial pastor, professor, author, Mission curator and pastor at the Santa Barbara Mission.
He served as pastor of the Santa Barbara Mission from 1976 to 1994. Since then, he has served as pastor emeritus and director of community relations, linking the Mission to the Santa Barbara community. He was a faithful Franciscan friar for 69 years and a priest for 63 years.
Mario T. Garcia, University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) history professor and his biographer, wrote, "Fr Virgil Cordano, OFM, is a shining example of everything that is good about the Catholic Church." Harriet Miller, a former mayor of Santa Barbara said, "Fr Virgil is the heart and soul of Santa Barbara." Fr. Virgil's life and work led Congresswoman Lois Capps to write, "This priest and pastor is equally at home blessing the fishing fleet and the Los Rancheros Visitadores as he is saying Mass at the Monastery of the Poor Clares or sitting by the bedside of a dying parishioner." Annually, he blessed a group of leather-clad motorcyclists who rode up to the Mission in a long parade.
Father was a strong believer in interfaith dialogue, and was named Santa Barbara's Man of the Year in 1988. When Capps' congressman husband, Walter, a Lutheran, died in 1997, his funeral was held at the Santa Barbara Mission, where Cordano officiated with a Lutheran pastor. Fr Virgil's life was a testimony in itself and a witness to the love of God for all people, no matter what faith, or how much faith.
Since 1963, Father served on the board of directors for the Old Spanish Days, La Fiesta Pequeña, acting as a sort of spokesman for the annual event. He blessed every board meeting and events he attended, encouraging all Santa Barbarans to come together in unity. Tim Taylor, a fifth-generation Santa Barbaran and this year's Old Spanish Days El Presidente, visited Father's bedside the day before he passed. As he got ready to leave, he looked to the sky above the historic Santa Barbara Mission, and said a traditional farewell, "Vaya con Dios, my friend." ("Go with God, my friend.")
Taylor said, "Father was truly larger than life in this town. He will be missed, but he will always be in our hearts."
Father Virgil was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Mary, and four brothers, James, Andrew, Garfield and Raymond. Besides his Franciscan family, he is survived by immediate family members, his nephews James Cordano and Alan Cordano of Sacramento, and nieces Mary K. King of Carmel, and Patricia Garnero of Monterey.
Father Virgil's body will lie in state for public prayerful viewing on Wednesday and Thursday, May 28-29, 2008, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Old Mission Santa Barbara. On Wednesday, a Morning Prayer Service will be at 9:00 am and an Ecumenical Funeral Prayer Service at 7:00pm. Rosary at Old Mission on Thursday will be recited at 12:00 noon, and Evening Prayer Vigil Service at 7:00pm.
Funeral Mass: Outdoors on the front steps of the Old Mission on Friday, May 30, 2008, at 11:00 am in Santa Barbara.
Burial in a private family service will take place at the Friars Vaults at the Old Mission following the funeral.
In honor of Fr. Virgil, and at his request, contributions may be made to the Father Virgil Cordano Living Memory Fund for the preservation and advancement of Old Mission Santa Barbara at 2201 Laguna St., Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
Mario Garcia's presentation of the book he authored about Father Virgil Cordano: Padre: The Spiritual Journey of Father Virgil Cordano
Father Virgil Cordano, O.F.M., legendary spiritual figure and inspirational icon at the Old Mission Santa Barbara entered eternal life peacefully in Santa Barbara late in the afternoon of May 22, 2008, with members of the religious community and his nephews by his side. He was 89 years old. Bells in the Old Mission tower tolled solemnly to announce to the city that their beloved "Father Virgil" had passed.
Father had recently been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. In spite of other illnesses this past year, he presided at Mass, conducted theological reflection groups, heard the confessions of second graders at Marymount School, and made home visits to sick and dying friends. For the past six months he had been cared for at the Vista Del Monte Center and recently at Mission Terrace Convalescent Hospital.
Father was born in Sacramento, California, to Victor and Mary Cordano, Italian immigrants who came to Sacramento from Genoa, Italy. At his Baptism he was given the name of George. He had four brothers James, Andrew, Garfield, and Raymond. They attended a traditional Catholic parochial school in their native Sacramento. At the age of twelve, George recognized his priestly calling. In 1934, as a teenager, he entered Saint Anthony's Seminary in Santa Barbara and graduated in 1939 as class valedictorian.
Father took the name of Virgil when he received his Franciscan habit. He was ordained a priest in 1945. Except for five years in studies elsewhere, including earning a doctorate at the Catholic University in Washington, D. C., Father Virgil spent the rest of his life in ministry in Santa Barbara in various capacities. He served the area as a seminary rector, parochial pastor, professor, author, Mission curator and pastor at the Santa Barbara Mission.
He served as pastor of the Santa Barbara Mission from 1976 to 1994. Since then, he has served as pastor emeritus and director of community relations, linking the Mission to the Santa Barbara community. He was a faithful Franciscan friar for 69 years and a priest for 63 years.
Mario T. Garcia, University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) history professor and his biographer, wrote, "Fr Virgil Cordano, OFM, is a shining example of everything that is good about the Catholic Church." Harriet Miller, a former mayor of Santa Barbara said, "Fr Virgil is the heart and soul of Santa Barbara." Fr. Virgil's life and work led Congresswoman Lois Capps to write, "This priest and pastor is equally at home blessing the fishing fleet and the Los Rancheros Visitadores as he is saying Mass at the Monastery of the Poor Clares or sitting by the bedside of a dying parishioner." Annually, he blessed a group of leather-clad motorcyclists who rode up to the Mission in a long parade.
Father was a strong believer in interfaith dialogue, and was named Santa Barbara's Man of the Year in 1988. When Capps' congressman husband, Walter, a Lutheran, died in 1997, his funeral was held at the Santa Barbara Mission, where Cordano officiated with a Lutheran pastor. Fr Virgil's life was a testimony in itself and a witness to the love of God for all people, no matter what faith, or how much faith.
Since 1963, Father served on the board of directors for the Old Spanish Days, La Fiesta Pequeña, acting as a sort of spokesman for the annual event. He blessed every board meeting and events he attended, encouraging all Santa Barbarans to come together in unity. Tim Taylor, a fifth-generation Santa Barbaran and this year's Old Spanish Days El Presidente, visited Father's bedside the day before he passed. As he got ready to leave, he looked to the sky above the historic Santa Barbara Mission, and said a traditional farewell, "Vaya con Dios, my friend." ("Go with God, my friend.")
Taylor said, "Father was truly larger than life in this town. He will be missed, but he will always be in our hearts."
Father Virgil was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Mary, and four brothers, James, Andrew, Garfield and Raymond. Besides his Franciscan family, he is survived by immediate family members, his nephews James Cordano and Alan Cordano of Sacramento, and nieces Mary K. King of Carmel, and Patricia Garnero of Monterey.
Father Virgil's body will lie in state for public prayerful viewing on Wednesday and Thursday, May 28-29, 2008, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Old Mission Santa Barbara. On Wednesday, a Morning Prayer Service will be at 9:00 am and an Ecumenical Funeral Prayer Service at 7:00pm. Rosary at Old Mission on Thursday will be recited at 12:00 noon, and Evening Prayer Vigil Service at 7:00pm.
Funeral Mass: Outdoors on the front steps of the Old Mission on Friday, May 30, 2008, at 11:00 am in Santa Barbara.
Burial in a private family service will take place at the Friars Vaults at the Old Mission following the funeral.
In honor of Fr. Virgil, and at his request, contributions may be made to the Father Virgil Cordano Living Memory Fund for the preservation and advancement of Old Mission Santa Barbara at 2201 Laguna St., Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
Mario Garcia's presentation of the book he authored about Father Virgil Cordano: Padre: The Spiritual Journey of Father Virgil Cordano
Father had recently been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. In spite of other illnesses this past year, he presided at Mass, conducted theological reflection groups, heard the confessions of second graders at Marymount School, and made home visits to sick and dying friends. For the past six months he had been cared for at the Vista Del Monte Center and recently at Mission Terrace Convalescent Hospital.
Father was born in Sacramento, California, to Victor and Mary Cordano, Italian immigrants who came to Sacramento from Genoa, Italy. At his Baptism he was given the name of George. He had four brothers James, Andrew, Garfield, and Raymond. They attended a traditional Catholic parochial school in their native Sacramento. At the age of twelve, George recognized his priestly calling. In 1934, as a teenager, he entered Saint Anthony's Seminary in Santa Barbara and graduated in 1939 as class valedictorian.
Father took the name of Virgil when he received his Franciscan habit. He was ordained a priest in 1945. Except for five years in studies elsewhere, including earning a doctorate at the Catholic University in Washington, D. C., Father Virgil spent the rest of his life in ministry in Santa Barbara in various capacities. He served the area as a seminary rector, parochial pastor, professor, author, Mission curator and pastor at the Santa Barbara Mission.
He served as pastor of the Santa Barbara Mission from 1976 to 1994. Since then, he has served as pastor emeritus and director of community relations, linking the Mission to the Santa Barbara community. He was a faithful Franciscan friar for 69 years and a priest for 63 years.
Mario T. Garcia, University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) history professor and his biographer, wrote, "Fr Virgil Cordano, OFM, is a shining example of everything that is good about the Catholic Church." Harriet Miller, a former mayor of Santa Barbara said, "Fr Virgil is the heart and soul of Santa Barbara." Fr. Virgil's life and work led Congresswoman Lois Capps to write, "This priest and pastor is equally at home blessing the fishing fleet and the Los Rancheros Visitadores as he is saying Mass at the Monastery of the Poor Clares or sitting by the bedside of a dying parishioner." Annually, he blessed a group of leather-clad motorcyclists who rode up to the Mission in a long parade.
Father was a strong believer in interfaith dialogue, and was named Santa Barbara's Man of the Year in 1988. When Capps' congressman husband, Walter, a Lutheran, died in 1997, his funeral was held at the Santa Barbara Mission, where Cordano officiated with a Lutheran pastor. Fr Virgil's life was a testimony in itself and a witness to the love of God for all people, no matter what faith, or how much faith.
Since 1963, Father served on the board of directors for the Old Spanish Days, La Fiesta Pequeña, acting as a sort of spokesman for the annual event. He blessed every board meeting and events he attended, encouraging all Santa Barbarans to come together in unity. Tim Taylor, a fifth-generation Santa Barbaran and this year's Old Spanish Days El Presidente, visited Father's bedside the day before he passed. As he got ready to leave, he looked to the sky above the historic Santa Barbara Mission, and said a traditional farewell, "Vaya con Dios, my friend." ("Go with God, my friend.")
Taylor said, "Father was truly larger than life in this town. He will be missed, but he will always be in our hearts."
Father Virgil was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Mary, and four brothers, James, Andrew, Garfield and Raymond. Besides his Franciscan family, he is survived by immediate family members, his nephews James Cordano and Alan Cordano of Sacramento, and nieces Mary K. King of Carmel, and Patricia Garnero of Monterey.
Father Virgil's body will lie in state for public prayerful viewing on Wednesday and Thursday, May 28-29, 2008, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Old Mission Santa Barbara. On Wednesday, a Morning Prayer Service will be at 9:00 am and an Ecumenical Funeral Prayer Service at 7:00pm. Rosary at Old Mission on Thursday will be recited at 12:00 noon, and Evening Prayer Vigil Service at 7:00pm.
Funeral Mass: Outdoors on the front steps of the Old Mission on Friday, May 30, 2008, at 11:00 am in Santa Barbara.
Burial in a private family service will take place at the Friars Vaults at the Old Mission following the funeral.
In honor of Fr. Virgil, and at his request, contributions may be made to the Father Virgil Cordano Living Memory Fund for the preservation and advancement of Old Mission Santa Barbara at 2201 Laguna St., Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
Mario Garcia's presentation of the book he authored about Father Virgil Cordano: Padre: The Spiritual Journey of Father Virgil Cordano
Gravesite Details
See Also "Mission Santa Barbara" for the biography and many photos.
