Bishop Schlert celebrated a Solemn Pontifical Mass for Pope Francis at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown at 12:15pm on Friday, April 25, the day before Pope Francis’ funeral in St. Peter’s Square. Priests from all over the Diocese joined in the Mass, and seminarians from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary altar served. The entirety of St. John Vianney Regional School, Allentown came to pray for the deceased Pontiff, as well as students and representatives from at least half a dozen other Diocesan schools. Other members of the faithful starting filing into the Cathedral more than an hour before the Mass began.
The readings and intercessions alternated between Spanish and English, a nod to the diverse community of believers as well as Pope Francis’ Argentinian heritage. When Bishop Schlert gave his homily, he also alternated between the two tongues as he expressed his prayers and appreciation for the Pope and his legacy.
Bishop Schlert observed that this Mass and the passing of Pope Francis was a momentous moment especially for the school children, who likely have known no other pope in their lifetimes. The tone of the Mass was not dejected however, for while Bishop and all the faithful mourn the passing of Pope Francis, the joy of Easter triumphs over all death.
“The prayers and readings for today’s Holy Mass during the Easter Octave can’t be changed, even for the death of a pope,” Bishop Schlert pointed out. “The joy of the Resurrection is just that great.” This joy is good for us to remember amidst mourning, he continued, because “we pray that Pope Francis has entered into the gates of Heaven, which Jesus opened up for us, and that we might all someday do the same.”
Bishop honored Pope Francis’ love and humility that characterized his pontificate. “Pope Francis opened the doors wide for mercy,” Bishop said, “reminding us that God never tires of forgiving…and even in his final days, his message remained the same: love one another, walk together, and trust in God’s mercy.”
“Today, we entrust Pope Francis’ soul to the loving arms of the Good Shepherd,” Bishop concluded.
Two students from Bethlehem Catholic High School brought up the gifts during the offertory, flanked by Knights of Columbus, while the choir sang Mendelssohn’s “How Lovely Are the Messengers.”
While hundreds of people received Holy Communion, the choir sang the hymn “I Am the Bread of Life,” with the repetitive refrain “and I will raise you up, and I will raise you up, and I will raise you up on the last day,” which was a fitting connection between the joy of Jesus’ Resurrection, the reality of Pope Francis’s death, and the hope that the deceased Pope will also be one day raised up.
Photos by Ed Koskey.
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