Posted August 25, 2026

Reverend John J. Large, Pastor Emeritus, Saint Paul Parish, Philadelphia, died on Sunday, August 23, 2026.

Father Large was born on October 3, 1949, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the son of the late William F. Large and the late Martha Danielwicz. Father Large attended Saint Vincent DePaul, Saint Martin, and Holy Child Parochial School, Philadelphia, and Cardinal Dougherty High School, before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Father Large was ordained on May 17, 1975, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia by His Eminence John Cardinal Krol. Father Large served as Parochial Vicar, Saint Robert Parish, Chester; Saint Ambrose Parish, Philadelphia, and Saint Gabriel Parish, Norwood. He served on the faculty at Roman Catholic High School for Boys, Philadelphia. He served as Chaplain at West Catholic High School, Philadelphia. He served as Pastor at Mater Dolorosa Parish, Philadelphia; Saint Joan of Arc Parish, Philadelphia; and Saint Paul Parish, Philadelphia, from 2013 to 2020. He then served as Parochial Vicar, with senior priests’ status at Saint Anselm Parish, Philadelphia from 2020 until June 2024 when he retired from ministry. In 2020 he was named Pastor Emeritus at Saint Paul Parish, Philadelphia.

The Reception of the Body will be held at Saint Gabriel Church, Norwood, on Friday August 28, 2026, at 4:00 PM followed by a viewing. A parish mass will be held at 7:00 PM. A second viewing will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, beginning at 9:30 AM followed by his Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM.

Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez will celebrate the Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. Concelebrants are: Reverend Monsignor Hugh Shields, Reverend John Lyons, Reverend John Hand, Reverend Monsignor Hank McKee, and Reverend Victor Eschbach will be the homilist.

Father Large is survived by his brother John.

Interment will be at Peter and Paul Cemetery, Springfield, Pennsylvania.