The lead singer of The Script, an Irish band successful in both the UK and the US, has devoted himself to daily Mass and the sacraments since the untimely death of the band’s guitarist last April.
Danny O’Donoghue, 43, revealed in an emotional interview with The Sun that daily mass helped him combat his drinking habits following the death of guitarist Mark Sheehan and that he “loves” attending mass and “never misses a day”.
Speaking about Mr Sheehan’s legacy, Mr O’Donoghue said: “I’m still trying to come to terms with it. I have good days and bad days. Anyone who has lost someone knows you never really get rid of the grief. It’s there and you try to overcome it.”
The terrible death of his bandmate made him doubt the existence of God, but after some self-examination, these feelings were suppressed and he began to actively practice his faith for the first time in years.
“I wonder if there is a God or not,” he said. “What do I do in life? Can we continue as The Script? All those questions you ask yourself in those moments. I also started going to church again and I go to church every day. I go to Catholic mass every day.
“I set the alarm, get up in the morning, don’t look at the phone, and go to church to show gratitude for the life I have been able to live so far and to pray.
“I go to the gym to work out. I go to the studio to make music. But where do I get what I need spiritually now?”
Mr O’Donoghue recalled that he used to serve as an altar boy in his local parish and that reconnecting with his faith was crucial in helping him stay sober after the loss led to a difficult time in his life. “I always went to church as a child, years ago I was an altar boy,” he said.
“I haven’t had a drink for six months. Under the circumstances, I feel better than I ever have and I don’t know what’s going on – but I know there’s something there. So, I love it and I go every day. I don’t miss a day.”
