Fr. Clement Procopio, O.F.M. passed into eternal life ten days short of his 102nd birthday on Friday, June 4, 2021, at An Oak Grove Manor, Walnut Creek, California , where he has lived for several years. He is survived by a nephew, Charles Salerno, of Wayland, MA.
He was born Salvatore on June 14, 1919 to Paul and Antoinette (Papatola) in Rumford, Maine. Clement was received into the novitiate on August 15, 1937. He professed first vows on August 16, 1938, solemn vows on August 17, 1941, and was ordained a priest on June 8, 1944. Clement ministered for many years in our missions in Guatemala and Honduras, and briefly at Our Lady of Peace in Brooklyn. In 1965, Clement left the order and worked as a diocesan priest in Los Angeles and Phoenix. He was readmitted to the order in 1985, and returned to Central America. He eventually worked in ministries in California and Arizona.
Funeral arrangements are as follows: Viewing and Office for the Dead:: Monday, June 14, 8:30 AM St. Christopher Friary Chapel, Boston Funeral Mass: Monday, June 14, 9:30 AM St. Christopher Friary Chapel, Boston
Interment: St. Francis Cemetery, Andover, following the Mass
“Priests shall say two Masses for each deceased friar of the province, professed or novice. On notification of a friar's death, friars of the province and foundations should gather for a concelebrated Mass inhis memory.In the house to which a confrere, professed or novice, was assigned at the time, Masses are to be celebrated on the thirtieth day ("month's mind") and first anniversary after his death.”(PS.6)
Heavenly Father, we commend to your mercy our brother, and all who have embraced Sister Death and we thank you for the gift of their lives. United in faith and prayer, through the intercession of our Immaculate Mother Mary and our holy Father Saint Francis, keep us ever steadfast in your love as we strive for your vision of a world made new.