In the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, Bishop John McIntyre describes to a reporter on June 30th the Mass that Pope Francis will celebrate on Saturday, September 26th, at the beginning of his two-day visit to the city for the people of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. (Sarah Webb)
UPDATED – The first stop for Pope Francis when he visits Philadelphia on Saturday morning, September 26th, will be the SS Cathedral Basilica. Peter and Paul to celebrate a special mass for the people of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
The previously unannounced mass is part of the Pope’s itinerary for his Philadelphia visit, which the Vatican announced this morning, June 30th.
The announcement also contained news of the Pope’s planned visit to prison inmates at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in northeast Philadelphia.
Archbishop Charles Chaput welcomed the news of the papal timetable “with great joy and I am sure that countless people in our city, our Commonwealth and our country share these emotions with me,” he said. “As the birthplace of religious freedom, Philadelphia is a city full of history and diversity. This itinerary recognizes the importance of these qualities and the Pope’s desire to experience them first hand. “
Another stop on the Pope’s visit to Philadelphia is a Saturday afternoon address at Independence Hall, the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the United States’ Constitution. The Pope is expected to speak about religious freedom and immigration, among other things.
The visit of the imprisoned men, women and their families to the sprawling 25 hectare facility, which houses 8,100 inmates in a complex of prisons, underscores the commitment of Pope Francis to the marginalized, including the poor, the sick and, in this context, To show mercy to the detainee.
The Pope proclaimed a Holy Year of Mercy in the Catholic Church from December 8th. It will emphasize the healing ministry of the Church for all people “as a field hospital after the battle,” as the Pope said.
The moral of the Philadelphia Catholic community has been battered by the crises of recent years, including the sexual abuse scandal, financial hardship for the archdiocese, and the merger or closure of dozen of parishes and schools.
Pope Francis’ visit to the city, and in particular his celebration of Mass in the Archdiocese’s mother church, the Cathedral, “is a sign of faith and love, and his words and presence will be a source of encouragement,” said Auxiliary Bishop John J. McIntyre during an interview at the Cathedral on June 30th.
A group of women pray the rosary together on the top of the iconic staircase of the Philadelphia Museum of Art overlooking the downtown Philadelphia skyline on May 27. Pope Francis will have a similar view – including more than 1 million people – when he celebrates Mass here on September 27. (Matthew Gambino)
The iconic brownstone cathedral from 1864 only has a capacity of less than 1,500 for mass and space for an additional 500 with video monitors in an adjoining chapel.
Bishop McIntyre said that all priests in the archdiocese will be invited to concelebrate Mass, and deacons will also be invited. In 2014, the Archdiocese’s Catholic Directory stated that there were 524 diocesan priests and 288 permanent deacons, as well as 293 religious priests, although not all may be able to attend.
He said that due to the large number of men and women religious in the archdiocese, as well as lay people from the 219 parishes in the archdiocese, representative groups would be selected to attend Mass even though the procedure for doing so was not yet available.
“We hope and pray that (Mass) will raise morale (and) that it will be an instrument of God’s gift of faith and hope that has been given to us,” said Bishop McIntyre.
Pope Francis will visit seminarians from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood during his trip to the region. (Sarah Webb)
Both the Cathedral Mass and Independence Hall Address join other papal public events previously announced for Philadelphia, including his participation in the Festival of Families on Saturday evening, September 26th, and public mass, which he will celebrate on the Benjamin Franklin Frank Parkway on Sunday afternoon, September 27th.
Private events include the prison visit and events at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, which is just beyond the city limits in Wynnewood, where the Pope will reside during his stay.
The Pope is expected to begin his stay with an exciting moment for the seminarians when he greets them outside the entrance steps of the massive College Division building on Saturday afternoon, September 26th.
The Pope will also use the St. Martin’s Chapel of the seminary the next morning to address the cardinals and bishops attending the World Family Meeting.
An interior view of St. Martin’s Chapel in the seminary where Pope Francis will address the cardinals and bishops attending the Philadelphia World Meeting of Families. (Sarah Webb)
“Pope Francis’ plans for his Philadelphia visit seamlessly combine powerful public moments with more intimate gatherings that are profoundly graceful,” said Archbishop Chaput. “It’s an itinerary that says, ‘I am going with you – and so will the Lord.’ It is said, ‘Embrace your faith and embrace one another as children of God.’ It says, ‘God forgives.’ And it’s called ‘come together to celebrate’. “
The Archbishop called Pope Francis’ visit “a true gift for everyone, regardless of religious tradition”.
The World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, which precedes the Pope’s visit on September 22-25, is expected to attract around 15,000 participants from 150 countries. Pope Francis has identified Congress as “the main reason for visiting the United States,” Archbishop Chaput said.
The Archbishop predicted: “The many pilgrims who will be present in September will experience a moment unprecedented in the history of our city. The presence of the Holy Father will be electric and charismatic. It has the power to change us all in a profoundly positive way. It will be our shared responsibility to use this gift and all that we learn from it to build a better church and a stronger society. “
In Harrisburg, Governor Tom Wolf said in a statement that the Pennsylvanians are “preparing in anticipation of the world family meeting and the visit of Pope Francis to Philadelphia.”
As the September events “will welcome members of all faiths united by their collective commitment to the importance of family empowerment,” the Congress and Papal visit “will provide a unique opportunity for Pennsylvanians to meet with visitors from across the country and the whole world “a moment that highlights our similarities – not our differences,” said Wolf. “This event will be inclusive and highlight the values on which our Commonwealth was founded.”
Wolf said the Congress and the Pope’s visit “will be a momentous event that will provide a global platform for the Pennsylvanians to welcome guests to our beautiful state. We feel honored and honored to host such a transformative world market leader. “
The official itinerary published by the Vatican follows:
Saturday, September 26th
Tomorrow:
9:30 am – Private arrival at Philadelphia International Airport.
10:30 am – Mass with Pope Francis in the cathedral basilica SS. Peter and Paul.
Afternoon:
Seminarians from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary greet Pope Francis on the steps of the seminary in Wynnewood.
4:45 pm – Address by Pope Francis, “We Hold These Truths …” on the expected topics of religious freedom and immigration, outdoors in Independence Hall with a view of the Independence Mall.
Eve:
7:30 p.m. – The Festival of Families on Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia.
Sunday September 27th
Tomorrow:
9:15 am – Address to cardinals and bishops attending the Philadelphia World Meeting of Families at St. Martin’s Chapel at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.
11 am – Visit with prisoners and selected families at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, Philadelphia.
Afternoon:
4 p.m. – The Papal Mass on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, projected for 4 p.m.
Eve:
7:00 p.m. – Celebration of the World Family Reunion for supporters and volunteers at Philadelphia International Airport.
7.45pm – Official departure ceremony at the airport.
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