A memorial Mass for late Penn State football coach Joe Paterno was held late Wednesday afternoon in Harrisburg.
The bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg led the celebration, and Paterno's son, Scott, spoke to those in attendance.
It wasn't a funeral Mass, that happened weeks ago. This was a Mass of memorial and Thanksgiving for Joe Paterno.
A group of fans and alumni organized it as a way to gather together and mourn, especially for those who couldn't make the trip to State College the week after Paterno died.
The Mass was celebrated by the bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg, Joseph McFadden.
"We are here today because Joe Paterno was a man of integrity. He was a man who could clearly look himself in the mirror," said Bishop McFadden.
Helping to celebrate the Mass was a Penn State graduate and priest for Mount Carmel.
"I'm very excited about it. Having been a Penn State graduate and in addition to which, the class of 1973, Joe Paterno was the commencement speaker which was a great honor at that," said Father John Szada of Mount Carmel.
Taking up the gifts at the Mass were three of Joe Paterno's grandchildren, the children of Paterno's son, Scott.
"I watched my father live the last days of his life with no malice in his heart or bitterness on his face. I watched my mother continue to have hope and say, 'God doesn't give you more than you can handle,'" Scott Paterno said.
