Philly Archdiocese To Celebrate Unique Red Mass

Most Reverend Michael J. Fitzgerald, retired Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, in addition to being a canon and a civil lawyer, will celebrate the 2026 Red Mass of the Holy Spirit Monday, October 19, 2026 at Saint John the Evangelist Church in Philadelphia. Reverend Sean Bransfield, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and a canon lawyer, will be the homilist.

Monday, October 19, 2026
 5:15 p.m. (Mass)
 Saint John the Evangelist Church
 21 South 13th Street 
 Philadelphia, PA 19107

The Red Mass of the Holy Spiritisa traditional liturgy invoking the guidance of the Holy Spirit upon the Bench and Bar at the beginning of a new judicial year. The Red Mass offers the Philadelphia legal community an opportunity for prayer, reflection, fellowship, and a renewal to their shared commitment to justice.

And Then There's Jimmy . . . Jimmy WHO?

We hear that a guy named Jimmy is back on the air tonight.

Jimmy's just another pathetic voice in an echo chamber of  lost egos. Jimmy thinks he's Big, Important . . . SOMEBODY! But Jimmy's a legend only in his own mind, and even there, only barely. That's because someone else is taking up most of the space in his head -- someone named Donald who lives there rent free and chuckles delightedly as Jimmy obsesses over him. 

Jimmy can't get away from Donald -- he can't escape him; can't stop thinking about him; can't stop talking about him. Donald is at once Jimmy's perceived enemy and his constant companion. Now, Jimmy can't break free from the monster he himself created.

Jimmy suffers from TDS, Trump Derangement Syndrome. Jimmy can't help himself. He's told more than a thousand "jokes" at Donald's expense and, despite admonishment and a pat-on-the-wrist suspension, he's likely to to tell more, to fall back into the same, dreary, destructive pattern.

More than 200 people directly depend on Jimmy for their weekly paycheck and a whole media conglomerate has millions invested in him but Jimmy can't fully appreciate this because he can't get beyond himself, can't get over himself. 

Like a little child, Jimmy seems to cry as quickly as he laughs. Maybe that's because he's been babied and pampered like a child. He misbehaves, then he's warned; he's threatened; but there's no real consequences for his reckless misdeeds, so the pattern is repeated over and over again. 

It's familiar, it's irritating, it's unfunny, its tedious and ultimately, monotonous. That's why people are shunning Jimmy; why they're ignoring him; why they're turning him off.

Oh yeah, he's been given another chance -- technically. But already, a quarter of his audience (his "family") have walked away. They don't wanna watch it; they don't wanna hear it; they don't wanna be part of Jimmy's world anymore.

Can you blame them?

'Their Suffering Is Our Suffering . . . '

A special message from Catholic Vote: The first week of classes should be among the most joyful moments of the school year.  On Wednesday morning, it was instead a moment of unspeakable trauma for the Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis and a moment of heartbreak for the rest of America.  Gunfire pierced the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Two children were killed. Seventeen more were wounded. Fourteen of them children. The entire Catholic family across America and the world is shaken. We weep. We grieve. And we turn to Christ, who alone can bring peace where evil has left devastation.   CatholicVote stands in deep solidarity with Archbishop Bernard Hebda, the priests, the families of this community, and the faithful of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Their suffering is our suffering. Their wounds are the wounds of the Body of Christ.   From Rome, Pope Leo XIV sent a message of profound sorrow and fatherly closeness:   “His Holiness Pope Leo XIV was profoundly saddened to learn of the loss of life and injuries following the shooting that took place at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis, and he sends his heartfelt condolences and the assurance of spiritual closeness to all those affected by this terrible tragedy, especially the families now grieving the loss of a child.”   We join the Holy Father in commending the souls of these little ones to the embrace of Almighty God. We pray fervently for the wounded, for their parents, for first responders, and for the medical teams fighting to heal bodies and hearts. But we cannot stop at grief. This tragedy must stir us. Violence has no place in churches.  At this time of anguish, we invite every person of faith to rally in prayer, storming heaven for the children, their families, and the Catholic community of Minneapolis.  May the Apostolic Blessing of the Holy Father bring “peace, fortitude, and consolation in the Lord Jesus” to Minneapolis and to all who mourn.   And may the light of Christ overcome the darkness that struck at innocence this week. Go forward bravely,

Kelsey Reinhardt President, CatholicVote

Today's Absolutely MUST WATCH Five Minutes!

🚨 WOW! Jesse Waters just CALLED OUT the trans vioIence epidemic

"The left WEAPONIZES trans kids, turning them into culture warriors, and they've been turned loose against the Church, schools and Trump. You see it, I see it."

"Statistically, the trans population has been prone… pic.twitter.com/TwSOKF7jEn

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) August 28, 2025

"The left WEAPONIZES trans kids, turning them into culture warriors, and they've been turned loose against the Church, schools and Trump. You see it, I see it."  

"Statistically, the trans population has been prone to violence... That's reality, and if you can't recognize reality, you are in danger." "The trans clan has a militant wing and it's out for blood. They are TAKING LIVES, defiling churches and freaking everybody out." 

"Politicians should STOP elevating the trans issue as if it's the Civil Rights struggle of the 21st century."

From The US Secretary Of Homeland Secretary . . .

 

VP Vance To Lead US Delegation For Pope Event

Vice President JD Vance will lead a U.S. Delegation to Vatican City to attend the inaugural Mass of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on Sunday, May 18, 2025.

Vice President Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance will be joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Mrs. Jeanette Rubio.
 
Pope Leo XIV is the first American Pope. Vice President Vance is the first Catholic convert to serve as Vice President.

The Sorry State Of The US Catholic Church

What hath Pope Francis wrought? 

He apparently thought that by loosening rules and standards  he could strengthen the appeal of the Catholic Church -- modernizing it and bringing more of the faithful back. 

But it seems the Pope's efforts have only sent mixed signals to the faithful and confused things further, making many wonder exactly what the Church stands for or if it stands for anything at all. Now, look at the results of the latest Gallup poll which show that fully half of all American Catholics seldom or never attend church services. And not even a quarter of all US Catholics attend mass every week. How sad!

People Are Justifiably Upset About This!

I’m a devout Catholic. This is a mockery of our faith. Cardinal Dolan has much to answer especially to our Lord.
Personally I’m done with anyone in the priesthood who celebrate desecration of our faith. I will remain in my Catholic faith and fight this attack tooth and nail! https://t.co/uXWw3owXzR

— 🇺🇸James Lee🇺🇸 (@leepd84) February 17, 2024

Please note:

According to the Roman Catholic Church’s Code of Canon Law, “Sacred places are violated by gravely injurious actions done in them with scandal to the faithful, actions which, in the judgment of the local ordinary, are so grave and contrary to the holiness of that place that it is not permitted to carry on worship in them until the damage is repaired by a penitential rite according to the norm of the liturgical books.” 

A separate passage in the Code of Canon Law lists “manifest sinners” whose funerals would cause “public scandal of the faithful” as those who “must be deprived of ecclesiastical funerals” unless “they gave some sign of repentance before death.” 

Schedule Of Christmas Eve, Day Observances

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will be the principal celebrant and homilist at the 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Vigil Mass on Sunday, December 24, 2023, and the Christmas Day Solemn Mass at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, December 25, 2023.

Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul and the Shrine of Saint Katharine Drexel

18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Philadelphia, PA 19103

The Holy Day of Christmas is a most joyous occasion for Catholics in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and throughout the Universal Church as we celebrate the Birth of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

Faithful throughout the five-county Archdiocese of Philadelphia are invited to celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord at the Mother Church of the Archdiocese, the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

Sunday, December 24, 2023

– 5:00 p.m. – Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will be the principal celebrant and homilist at the Christmas Eve Vigil Mass at the Cathedral Basilica. The Mass will be streamed live on the Archdiocesan Vimeo website https://vimeo.com/event/2470138, as well as on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Archbishop Pérez’s Facebook pages at https://www.facebook.com/ArchPhila and https://www.facebook.com/ArchbishopPerez beginning at 5:00 p.m. (EDT). Music will be provided by the Cathedral Basilica Schola and Instrumentalists. There will also be a live feed for American Sign Language interpretation available on the livestream.

– 7:30 p.m. – There will be a second Christmas Eve Vigil Mass at 7:30 p.m. in English and Spanish, featuring a Cantor and Organist.

– 11:00 p.m. – The Cathedral Basilica Choir and Instrumentalists will provide Sacred Music and Carols prior to Midnight Mass.

Monday, December 25, 2023

–  12:00 a.m. – Solemn Midnight Mass will be streamed live on the Archdiocesan Vimeo website https://vimeo.com/event/2470138 as well as on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Archbishop Pérez’s Facebook pages at https://www.facebook.com/ArchPhila and https://www.facebook.com/ArchbishopPerez beginning at 12:00 a.m. (EDT), with music provided by the Cathedral Basilica Choir and Instruments. Reverend G. Dennis Gill, Rector of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, will serve as the principal celebrant and homilist.

–  12 Noon – Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will be the principal celebrant and homilist for the Solemn Mass. The Mass will be streamed live on the Archdiocesan Vimeo website https://vimeo.com/event/2470138, as well as on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Archbishop Pérez’s Facebook pages at https://www.facebook.com/ArchPhila and https://www.facebook.com/ArchbishopPerez beginning at 12 Noon (EDT). Music will be provided by the Cathedral Basilica Choir and Instruments.

Additional Christmas Day Masses will be celebrated in the Cathedral Basilica at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.   The 8:00 a.m. Mass will feature a Cantor and Organist, and the Cathedral Basilica Schola will provide the music for the 10:00 a.m. Mass.

THERE WILL BE NO EVENING MASS.

Diocese Sets Full Schedule For Holy Week

Faithful throughout the five-county Archdiocese of Philadelphia will celebrate Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord and the Sacred Paschal Triduum at their local parishes.

Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday 
 April 2, 2023 – April 9, 2023

MASS SCHEDULE FOR PALM SUNDAY OF
 THE PASSION OF THE LORD

Sunday, April 2, 2023

Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the Passion of the Lord is proclaimed as Christians around the globe mark the beginning of the holiest week of the year.

11:00 a.m. Solemn Mass: Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will be the principal celebrant and homilist.

This Mass will be streamed live:

Vimeo https://vimeo.com/event/2470138

Archbishop Pérez’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ArchbishopPerez 

The live stream broadcast is sponsored by Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia.

Members of the Cathedral Basilica and Cantus Angelorum Cathedral Choirs will assist with liturgical music. Blessed palm will be distributed at all Masses. (mult-box feed available)

CHRISM MASS

Thursday, April 6, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will be the principal celebrant at the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. Each year, the priests of the Archdiocese are invited to concelebrate this Mass with the Archbishop and to renew their priestly promises.

During this Mass, Archbishop Pérez will bless the Oil of Catechumens as well as the Oil of the Sick and consecrate the Oil of Chrism. These Holy Oils will be used at parishes throughout the Archdiocese during the coming year in the celebration of the Sacraments.

Members of the Cathedral Basilica and Archdiocesan Choirs will assist with liturgical music.

This Mass will be streamed live:

Vimeo https://vimeo.com/event/2470138

Archbishop Pérez’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ArchbishopPerez 

The live stream broadcast is sponsored by Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia.

SCHEDULE FOR THE SACRED PASCHAL TRIDUUM
 April 6, 2023 – April 9, 2023

HOLY THURSDAY MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER – April 6^th 

7:30 p.m. 

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will be the principal celebrant and homilist.  This Mass commemorates the Last Supper, during which Christ instituted the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, the Sacrament of Holy Orders, and gave us His commandment to love one another. After the homily, following the example of Christ who washed the feet of the Apostles at the Last Supper, the Archbishop will wash the feet of 12 people.  

Members of the Cathedral Basilica Choir will assist with liturgical music.

Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament will continue from the conclusion of Mass until 11:00 p.m. at the Repository in the Basilica.

This Mass will be streamed live:

Vimeo https://vimeo.com/event/2470138

Archbishop Pérez’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ArchbishopPerez 

The live stream broadcast is sponsored by Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia.

GOOD FRIDAY CELEBRATION OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD – April 7^th 
 3:00 p.m.

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will preside and preach at the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, commemorating the Holy Passion and Death of Jesus Christ.

The Archbishop has also encouraged all clergy, religious, and lay faithful in the Church of Philadelphia to show solidarity for the people of Ukraine and Ukrainians in the United States by praying a special prayer for peace in Ukraine. The special intention below has been provided to parishes throughout the Archdiocese.

XI. For peace in Ukraine Let us pray, dearly beloved, for the people in Ukraine, and in all war zones of the world, for those who have fled the dread of violence and have been deprived of their homes, for all men and women who stand up with their lives to ward off evil and to protect the weak and the persecuted. 

Prayer in silence. Then the Priest says: 

Almighty and eternal God, you have compassion for the lowly and the poor, but you cast down oppressors. As you guided Israel out of slavery in Egypt, so in our days save all victims of war and violence. Change the hearts of evildoers and let peace be victorious. Through Christ our Lord. 

R. Amen.

Members of the Cathedral Basilica Choir will assist with liturgical music, along with the Cathedral Instrumentalists.

Prior to the Celebration of the Passion of the Lord, The Office of Readings will take place at 12:00 p.m., The Way of the Cross at 1:00 p.m., and a Choral Meditation on the Seven Last Words at 2:00 p.m. Confessions will also be heard 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. 

This liturgy will be streamed live:

Vimeo https://vimeo.com/event/2470138

Archbishop Pérez’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ArchbishopPerez 

The live stream broadcast is sponsored by Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia.

EASTER VIGIL MASS – April 8^th 

8:00 p.m.

 Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will be the principal celebrant and homilist at the Easter Vigil Mass celebrating the Resurrection of the Lord. The Easter Vigil will include four parts: Service of Light (Blessing of the Fire and preparation of the Paschal Candle), Liturgy of the Word, Baptismal Liturgy and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Members of the Cathedral Basilica Choir will assist with liturgical music, along with the Cathedral Instrumentalists.

After a reflective and intense period of prayer during Lent, the Elect (unbaptized Candidates) and Candidates (those who have been baptized in other faiths or baptized a Roman Catholic) will become full members of the Catholic Church at the Cathedral and other parishes throughout the Archdiocese at the Easter Vigil and during Easter Time. In 2023, over 400 new Catholics will be welcomed into the Church over Easter.

MASS SCHEDULE FOR EASTER SUNDAY OF
 THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD
 April 9, 2023

EASTER SUNDAY SOLEMN MASS

11:00 a.m.

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will be the principal celebrant and homilist at this Mass of Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord. Members of the Cathedral Basilica Choir will assist with liturgical music, along with the Cathedral Instrumentalists.

This Mass will be streamed live:

Vimeo https://vimeo.com/event/2470138

Archbishop Pérez’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ArchbishopPerez 

The live stream broadcast is sponsored by Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia.

Mass will also be celebrated at the following times: 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 1:00 p.m. (in English and Spanish) in the Basilica. These Masses will not be available via livestream.

About the Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia  

The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia (CFGP) is an independent, nonprofit community foundation committed to growing philanthropy according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Grounded in the principles of faith and service, CFGP meets the diverse needs of donors and Catholic institutions through charitable fund management and development consulting. Our services ensure an investment in the future of our faith. To learn more about CFGP, please visit https://thecfgp.org/.

Young Adult Events Mark Start Of Holy Week

Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will lead a pre-dawn Eucharistic Adoration, Benediction, and reflection outside the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown (Bucks County) as part of Sonrise Festival, a prayerful Holy Week gathering of young adults.

 
He will join participants afterward at the shrine’s cafeteria for small group discussions and breakfast.  

 Saturday, April 1, 2023
 National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa
 654 Ferry Road
  Doylestown, PA 18901

The Sonrise Festival will consist of live Stations of the Cross outside the shrine, followed by small group reflections around bonfires, and a Holy Hour at sunrise accompanied by live music and a reflection. The theme for this Holy Week initiative is His Mercies are New Every Morning: the Journey from Darkness to Light.

Event Timeline 
 
4:30 a.m. –Outdoor Live Stations of the Cross guided by Father Timothy Tarnacki, O.S.P.P.E.

5:20 am -Small group reflections around bonfires

5:45 a.m. -Brief break

6:00 a.m. -Holy Hour with reflections and music

7:00 a.m. -Benediction and reflection led by Archbishop Pérez at sunrise

7:30 a.m. -Small group reflections and breakfast inside shrine

The Sonrise Festival is organized by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Office for Ministry with Young Adults in collaboration with The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa’s Czestochowa Young Adults Ministry, and Peak Encounter Ministries.

 # # #

Editor’s Note: To learn more about the Archdiocesan Office for Ministry with Young Adults, please visit https://phillyyam.org/who-we-are/.

'Boy In The Box' To Get Special Mass

Saint Cecilia Parish and Saint Timothy Parish, both located in Northeast Philadelphia, will offer Masses on the Feast of the Holy Innocents for the happy repose of the Soul of Joseph Augustus Zarelli.

Saint Cecilia Parish, located in the Fox Chase section of Philadelphia, is in close proximity to where the remains were discovered in February 1957. Reverend Christopher Walsh, Pastor, will be the celebrant and homilist at the Memorial Mass.

All people of good will are invited to this liturgy to pray for the happy repose of Joseph’s soul and to give thanks for the efforts of those who supported the Philadelphia Police Department in its search for dignity and justice for this victim.

December 28, 2022
 12:00 p.m.
 Saint Cecilia Church
 535 Rhawn Street
 Philadelphia, PA 19111

Saint Timothy Parish, located in Philadelphia’s Mayfair section, is collaborating with the Saint Michael the Archangel Ministry to hold a Memorial Mass for Joseph and in thanksgiving for the police officers and detectives who worked on this homicide case for decades.

Reverend Michael Olivere, Pastor, will serve as the celebrant and homilist. All people of goodwill are invited to attend.

December 28, 2022
 7:00 p.m.
 Saint Timothy Upper Church
 3001 Levick Street

 Philadelphia, PA 19149 

NO Holy Communion For Nancy Pelosi!

On Thursday, San Francisco Catholic Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone formally notified Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi that she is not to be admitted to Holy Communion. Today Archbishop Cordileone released a public letter explaining why he took this step, as well as an accompanying letter to his priests.

• Notification to the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress Nancy Pelosi
• Letter to the faithful on the Notification sent to Speaker Nancy Pelosi
• Letter to priests of the Archdiocese on the Notification sent to Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Saint Katherine Drexel To Be Remembered, March 3rd

Faithful throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia are invited to celebrate the feast day of Saint Katharine Drexel with a Sung Mass at the Shrine within the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

Thursday, March 3, 2022

12:05 p.m.

Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Philadelphia, PA 19103

The Sung Mass will be live-streamed through the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Facebook page and website.

All are encouraged to join in praying the Solemn Novena to Saint Katharine Drexel, which will begin on Tuesday, February 22. Please follow the link below to access the Novena: https://www.saintkatharinedrexelshrine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Solemn-Novena.pdf . The Solemn Novena will be prayed at every Mass during this timeframe.

Prayer intentions can also be submitted and will be especially remembered every Thursday in the perpetual Novena to Saint Katharine Drexel following the 7:15 a.m. and the 12:05 p.m. Masses in the Cathedral Chapel. Please use this link to submit a prayer intention or offering: https://www.saintkatharinedrexelshrine.com/prayers-intentions/.

Background Regarding Saint Katharine Drexel

Saint Katharine Drexel was canonized on October 1, 2000. She is the second American-born person ever to be canonized. Born into tremendous wealth as part of the Drexel family, she gave up her life of privilege to found the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament in 1891. She dedicated her life to serve the needs of African Americans and Native Americans, and inspired so many women, who joined the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, to follow her example.

Note: For more information on the Shrine of Saint Katharine Drexel at the Cathedral Basilica, please see the website, https://www.saintkatharinedrexelshrine.com/.

Latin Mass Continues In Philly - For Now!

\

 

Latin Mass Or Modern Mass? Here's The Answer!

 

Note*

Video is from 3 years ago. It recirculated today so we assumed new.

Full interview here. https://t.co/oWbcAkuHj4

— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) July 18, 2021

Abortion Advocate Denied Communion?

Following from catholic vote.org:

EUCHARISTIC COHERENCE  Joe Cervantes, a Democratic state senator from New Mexico, said his bishop and pastor are denying him Communion. “I was denied communion last night by the Catholic bishop here in Las Cruces and based on my political office,” wrote Cervantes on Twitter. Cervantes concluded by appealing to Pope Francis, under whose direction the senator apparently expects the Church to become accepting of abortion: “Please pray for church authorities as Catholicism transitions under Pope Francis,” Cervantes wrote.  READ

KABOOM: Pope Basically BANS Latin Mass!

 

Below excerpted from the National Catholic Register:

Pope Francis has issued sweeping restrictions to the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass, reversing previous papal decrees that had liberalized the Mass celebrated before the liturgical reforms of Pope St. Paul VI in 1970, and urging a “return in due time” to the liturgy instituted after the Second Vatican Council. 

Supporters of the Latin Mass have responded to the new papal document with concern, saying that it clamps down in an unjustifiably swift and harsh manner on its celebration of the sacred liturgy. 

In a new apostolic letter issued motu proprio titled Traditionis Custodes (Guardians of the Tradition) and signed on July 16, the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the Pope has taken the “firm decision” to immediately overturn Benedict XVI’s 2007 motu proprio Summorum Pontificum and Pope St. John Paul II’s 1988 motu proprio Ecclesia Dei that liberalized the availability of the Mass celebrated before 1970. 

One of the key elements of Benedict’s Summorum Pontificum, which stated that the Roman Missal promulgated by John XXIII in 1962 was “never abrogated as an extraordinary form of the Church's Liturgy,” was that it granted that any stable group of lay faithful could ask a priest to celebrate this form of the Mass (also called the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite), and he would need “no permission from the Apostolic See or from his own Ordinary.” 

Click here to read more. 

The Scandal Of Biden Receiving Communion

Tomorrow morning, Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi (both long time abortion advocates) will presumably receive Communion during mass at a Catholic Church in Washington. These two have basically supported abortion on demand, even up to the time of birth.

Here's what the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith of the Catholic Church has to say about Catholic politicians who support the grave sin of abortion yet still want to approach the alter rail and receive Communion:

5. Regarding the grave sin of abortion or euthanasia, when a person’s formal cooperation becomes manifest (understood, in the case of a Catholic politician, as his consistently campaigning and voting for permissive abortion and euthanasia laws), his Pastor should meet with him, instructing him about the Church’s teaching, informing him that he is not to present himself for Holy Communion until he brings to an end the objective situation of sin, and warning him that he will otherwise be denied the Eucharist.

6. When “these precautionary measures have not had their effect or in which they were not possible,” and the person in question, with obstinate persistence, still presents himself to receive the Holy Eucharist, “the minister of Holy Communion must refuse to distribute it” (cf. Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts Declaration “Holy Communion and Divorced, Civilly Remarried Catholics” [2002], nos. 3-4). This decision, properly speaking, is not a sanction or a penalty. Nor is the minister of Holy Communion passing judgment on the person’s subjective guilt, but rather is reacting to the person’s public unworthiness to receive Holy Communion due to an objective situation of sin.

With regard to Joe Biden specifically, in an article at First Things, retired Archbishop Charles J. Chaput (pictured) of Philadelphia writes as follows:

"The implications for the present moment are clear. Public figures who identify as 'Catholic' give scandal to the faithful when receiving Communion by creating the impression that the moral laws of the Church are optional. And bishops give similar scandal by not speaking up publicly about the issue and danger of sacrilege. Thus it’s also worth revisiting the words of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the evil—and the grave damage—of scandal:

2284.  Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. The person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor's tempter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into spiritual death. Scandal is a grave offense if by deed or omission another is deliberately led into a grave offense.

2286.  Scandal can be provoked by laws or institutions, by fashion or opinion. Therefore, they are guilty of scandal who establish laws or social structures leading to the decline of morals and the corruption of religious practice, or to “social conditions that, intentionally or not, make Christian conduct and obedience to the Commandments difficult and practically impossible.”  This is also true of business leaders who make rules encouraging fraud, teachers who provoke their children to anger, or manipulators of public opinion who turn it away from moral values.

"Those bishops who publicly indicate in advance that they will undertake their own dialogue with President-elect Joseph Biden and allow him Communion effectively undermine the work of the task force established at the November bishops’ conference meeting to deal precisely with this and related issues. This gives scandal to their brother bishops and priests, and to the many Catholics who struggle to stay faithful to Church teaching. It does damage to the bishops’ conference, to the meaning of collegiality, and to the fruitfulness of the conference’s advocacy work with the incoming administration."

And Archbishop Chaput adds the following:

"When bishops publicly announce their willingness to give Communion to Mr. Biden, without clearly teaching the gravity of his facilitating the evil of abortion (and his approval of same-sex relationships), they do a serious disservice to their brother bishops and their people. The reason is obvious. By his actions during the course of his public life, Mr. Biden has demonstrated that he is not in full communion with the Catholic Church. To his credit, he has championed many causes and issues that do serve the common good. However, many of his actions and words have also supported or smoothed the way for grave moral evils in our public life that have resulted in the destruction of millions of innocent lives. Mr. Biden has said that he will continue to advance those same policies as president, and thus should not receive Holy Communion. His stated intention requires a strong and consistent response from Church leaders and faithful."

Christmas: Celebrate Mass Live Or Via Video Feed

Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez will be the principal celebrant and homilist at the 5:00 p.m.  Christmas Eve Vigil Mass on Thursday, December 24, 2020 and the Christmas Day Noon Solemn Mass on Friday, December 25, 2020.

Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Philadelphia, PA 19103

The Holy Day of Christmas is a most special occasion for Catholics in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as we celebrate the Birth of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

The current liturgical guidelines issued by the Archdiocesan Office for Divine Worship and approved by Archbishop Pérez pertaining to the celebration of Advent and Christmas within the context of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic remain in effect.  A full copy of these guidelines, along with comprehensive supplemental resources, can be found at  http://www.odwphiladelphia.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Coronavirus-Christmas-and-Advent-Guidance-FULL.pdf .

Faithful throughout the five-county Archdiocese of Philadelphia are invited to celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord at the mother church of the Archdiocese, the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, safely in-person and virtually via three live-streamed broadcasts of the Holy Mass.

Thursday, December 24, 2020

- 5:00 p.m. - Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will be the principal celebrant and homilist at the Christmas Eve Vigil Mass at the Cathedral Basilica. The Mass will be streamed live on the Archdiocesan Vimeo website https://vimeo.com/event/17522 , as well as on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Archbishop Pérez’s Facebook pages at https://www.facebook.com/ArchPhila and https://www.facebook.com/ArchbishopPerez beginning at 5:00 p.m. (EDT).

- 7:30 p.m. - There will be a second Christmas Eve Vigil Mass at 7:30 p.m. The Mass will be a bilingual celebration in English and Spanish.

- 11:40 p.m. - The Cathedral Basilica Schola and Instruments will provide the Choral Prelude to the Midnight Mass.

Friday, December 25, 2020

-12:00 a.m. - Solemn Midnight Mass will be streamed live on the Archdiocesan Vimeo website https://vimeo.com/event/17522 , as well as on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Archbishop Pérez’s Facebook pages at https://www.facebook.com/ArchPhila and https://www.facebook.com/ArchbishopPerez .  beginning at 12:00 a.m. (EDT), with music provided by the Cathedral Basilica Choir and Instruments.

-12:00 p.m. – Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will be the principal celebrant and homilist for the Noon Solemn Mass, with music provided by the Cathedral Basilica Choir and Instruments. The Mass will be streamed live on the Archdiocesan Vimeo website https://vimeo.com/event/17522 , as well as on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Archbishop Pérez’s Facebook pages at https://www.facebook.com/ArchPhila and https://www.facebook.com/ArchbishopPerez beginning at 12:00 p.m. (EDT).

Additional Christmas Day Masses will be celebrated in the Cathedral Basilica at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.