Fr Valentine, extraordinary priest, organist, friend of the Latin Mass and of sacred music, whose generous ministry touched so many the world over, has died this morning at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati.
This was a priest who gave very generously of his energy and time. He was still saying Mass regularly, assisting Sacred Heart and Old St. Mary's - as well as his regular Mass commitments - a week before he passed away.
He was often celebrant for those extra ceremonies - like Tenebrae - when we struggled finding another celebrant. He will certainly be missed.
I would always find myself hearing his Masses at Old Saint Mary's during my visits to Cincinnati over the last few years. Although I never got to meet him, this news hit me hard. His dedication to offering the Latin Mass, even to his old age, left a deep impression on me which will never leave.
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