Fr. Daniel Johnson died March 18, 2007. Hours after the Feast of St. Patrick ended (he was an Irishman), and on Laetare Sunday. Today on the Feast of St Gabriel was laid to rest. I was one of the hundreds at Fr Johnson's requiem Mass celebrated at the small St. Mary's By the Sea Parish in Huntington Beach he was pastor at for 26 years, ending with his retirement, on the 50th anniversary of his ordination 9 May 2004. I was also present at his retirement Mass and the last Tridentine Mass celebrated at St Mary's.

Fr. Johnson celebrated the Tridentine Mass every Sunday and Holy Day before his retirement. Throughout his years at St. Mary's he led processions with the Blessed Sacrament or the statue of the Blessed Mother through the streets of Huntington Beach, praying the rosary in Latin, singing Latin hymns, holding to the true Traditions of the Church.

He gave us the truth, the teachings of the Holy Roman Catholic Church and the saints at every Mass. He conducted a weekly adult inquiry class, which I once attended a series as a refresher. Following each series, 3 times a year, he offered the Sacrament of Confirmation bringing people into or back to the Church from this once tiny parish.

He was truly a parish priest, in the style of St. Louis de Montfort. Always hearing confessions, praying the rosary before the Blessed Sacrament and distributing Holy Communion to the sick.

Fr. Johnson walked his parish, he could be found at the beach or walking the parish streets, even knocking on every door within the parish boundaries. Hundreds of people brought into and back to the Church because of this holy, humble priest. Dozens of children born, because of his defense of life and the teachings from the pulpit to those who contracept that they commit mortal sin.

We pray for your soul, Fr. Johnson, but we also beg your intersession.

O God, in the apostolic priesthood, You raised Your servant, Fr. Daniel Johnson; to the dignity of the priesthood; grant we beseech You, that he may be numbered with Your Bishops and Priests forever. Amen.