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Parishioners mourn Massachusetts priest who "died tragically" in Spain

Priest from Massachusetts dies in Spain, investigation underway
Priest from Massachusetts dies in Spain, investigation underway 02:34

BOSTON - A Jesuit priest who once taught at Boston College High School "died tragically" while in Spain, Jesuits USA East Province confirmed.

In Spain for a cruise

Father Richard Gross, 80, died on Jan. 20. He was in Málaga, Spain, where he was preparing to embark on a cruise, said Jesuits USA East Province. It is unclear exactly how he died.

Father Gross was a regular celebrant at Our Lady of Good Voyage in Boston's Seaport.

"Father Gross was very kind, I think that was his most salient quality, he was very approachable, someone you could go and talk to," said parishioner John Haynes.

He is being remembered by a devastated community that wasn't expecting to do it so suddenly "Everything he said was heartfelt and it hit you right in your heart," said parishioner Al McKenzie. "I can't even describe it."

The last time Father Gross was at Our Lady of Good Voyage was on January 16, holding mass.

Taught at Boston College High School

A deep void is already being felt, from the shrine where he did baptisms and weddings, to Boston College High School, where the Jesuit priest once taught and lived in residence for the past 18 months.

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Portrait of Father Richard Gross. Jesuits USA East Province

"We are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and tragic passing of Father Richard Gross, SJ. Fr. Gross was a member of the USA East Province of Jesuits and lived in residence at BC High for the past 18 months," said a spokesperson for BC High School, in part. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Father Gross's family, his brother Jesuits, and all those blessed by his ministry and friendship. We pray for his eternal peace and comfort for those mourning his loss."  

Gross, who grew up in Wrentham, graduated from Boston College in 1966 and was ordained as a priest in 1976. He taught history and social sciences at Boston College High School from 1969 to 1972 and then taught religion at the school from 1976 to 1981 and served as the school's director of communication in 1977. He also worked at Phillips Academy in Andover from 1981 to 1992.

From 1992 to 2002, Gross served as director of the Newman Center at the University of Connecticut. He then served as a chaplain at several schools, including Vanderbilt University and La Salle University in Philadelphia.

"He's still part of us"

His parishioners in Boston hold onto the comfort that Gross is in a better place, looking down on them.

"He's not lost. He's in heaven which means he lives in our hearts, he lives in our body, he's still part of us," John Haynes said. "So, we haven't lost him, if anything we've gained an intercessor." 

Father Gross led the Thursday mass at Our Lady of Good Voyage. On February 6, a mass will be held in his memory. 

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