Mourners gather for Jimmy Gracey's funeral mass at hometown church
Loved ones on Tuesday morning mourned the death Jimmy Gracey, the 20-year-old University of Alabama student who was found dead in Barcelona on March 19.
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Priest at Gracey funeral: 'Christ is most present in our darkest times'
Christ was with Jimmy Gracey on his trip to Barcelona, said the priest offering a mass in his remembrance, assuring mourners that "Christ is most present in our darkest time."
Casket removed from church as solemn funeral mass concludes
After a heartfelt eulogy from Jimmy Gracey's godmother, priests at Visitation Catholic Church concluded his funeral service, and his casket was removed from the church.
Pall bearers carried the casket down the aisle and out of the church.
Gracey is expected to be laid to rest this afternoon.
Jimmy Gracey's godmother delivers heartfelt eulogy at funeral mass
Beth O’Reilly, Jimmy Gracey's godmother, gave a eulogy at his funeral mass.
She began by thanking the church community, government officials who investigated the case, and a man named Raphael, a family friend living abroad in Barcelona who guided Jimmy’s father during the ordeal.
"Jimmy took the role as big brother very seriously," she said. "He loved each of his siblings and had a unique relationship with each of them. He loved playing shinny hockey in the foyer, basketball in the driveway, jumping on the trampoline and sunny days at the lake filled with boating and tubing during the day and hanging together at the fire pit during the night."
She described the community at Visitation Catholic church as a warm and loving place in which Jimmy was raised, and said that he was heavily involved in the Catholic community at the University of Alabama.
O'Reilly also reflected on the question of why Jimmy lost his life at such a young age.
"But as I reflect, I can't help but think God was preparing us for this day," she said. "I think about the night last fall when [Jimmy's mother Therese] and I were sitting in the backyard debating whether or not we should spend a ridiculous amount of money to bring both of our families down to Alabama for less than 48 hours for a football game. God knew. God knew we would treasure that crazy crowded weekend where we had a chance to see Jimmy's life there and why he was so happy in Tuscaloosa."
She then recalled numerous other happy memories in recent months.
"God knew he was preparing Jimmy for eternal life in heaven," she said.
"Jimmy, please keep watch over us and help us navigate this loss. Please keep sending us little Godly winks, like when your mom and dad were looking for your final resting place the other day and settling on the perfect spot, settling on section 11, your hockey number," she said. "Or when you not-so-subtly got my attention the other day when I was walking into Costco and "Sweet Home Alabama" was blasting in the tire center."
"I promise that we will keep your memory alive. We will miss your earthly presence, but I know you will be at our side for every milestone, happy occasion and celebrating right alongside us. We will never be the same, but we are all better for having had you in our lives. Roll Tide, Jimmy. May God hold you in the palm of his hands."
Jimmy Gracey's casket draped in white cloth during funeral mass
Jimmy Gracey's casket was draped in a white cloth during his Tuesday morning funeral service.
Attendees proceeded to receive communion while a vocalist sang "Amazing Grace."
Visitation Catholic Church was at full capacity during the service.
Mourners offer prayers for the Gracey family, others during funeral mass
Several prayers were offered for Jimmy Gracey during his funeral mass.
"We pray for all families who have suffered the shattering loss of a child. May the Holy Spirit help them navigate their unimaginable grief," one mourner said.
"We pray for young athletes. May they be blessed with the same passion and enthusiasm that led Jimmy. May they have the humility needed to be coachable, the confidence to try to dominate in their positions, and the good sportsmanship to embrace the most fundamental in sports — the love of the game," said another.
"We pray for all the family and friends who have circled around the Gracey family, especially all those who have traveled great distances. May they all know that their kindess and compassion will be held in grateful remembrance," said a third.
Authorities share update on circumstances around missing college student Jimmy Gracey's death
An autopsy of the body of a 20-year-old University of Alabama student who disappeared last week while on spring break in Barcelona shows he likely died from an accidental drowning, according to a preliminary report filed by local police.
The body of James "Jimmy" Gracey, whose disappearance in the wee hours last Tuesday set off a frantic search by Catalan police forces, was found floating in the Mediterranean Sea days later.
The report police filed with a local judge found no signs of foul play, but final results will be available on Thursday, according to Spanish newspaper El Periódico.The Elmhurst, Ill., native had been out with friends at a world-famous nightclub at the city’s Port Olímpic district, which flanks a promenade on sea.
Missing University of Alabama student Jimmy Gracey found dead in Barcelona
The body of missing University of Alabama student James "Jimmy" Gracey was recovered Thursday in Barcelona, Spain, after a dayslong search, authorities confirmed.
Police recovered the body at Port Olimpic, a marina just steps from the waterfront nightclub where Gracey was last seen.
Gracey, of Elmhurst, Illinois, disappeared around 3 a.m. after visiting the Shoko restaurant and nightclub.
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