Following is the English translation of Pope Francis’ homily during Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul on Saturday morning. His homily, delivered in Spanish, was prepared for delivery and released by the Vatican:
This morning I learned something about the history of this beautiful Cathedral: the story behind its high walls and windows. I would like to think, though, that the history of the Church in this city and state is really a story not about building walls, but about breaking them down. It is a story about generation after generation of committed Catholics going out to the peripheries, and building communities of worship, education, charity and service to the larger society.
Pope Francis celebrated a Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia on Saturday.
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Nicole Santamaria, 35, right, and her mother, Vilma Santamaria, 68, joined with pilgrims and L.G.B.T.Q.I. Catholics at Arch Street United Methodist Church after a day at the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia on Friday.
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Old St. Joseph’s Church in Philadelphia, which embraces immigrants, is looking forward to the pope’s visit to the city.
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That story is seen in the many shrines which dot this city, and the many parish churches whose towers and steeples speak of God’s presence in the midst of our communities. It is seen in the efforts of all those dedicated priests, religious and laity who for over two centuries have ministered to the spiritual needs of the poor, the immigrant, the sick and those in prison. And it is seen in the hundreds of schools where religious brothers and sisters trained children to read and write, to love God and neighbor, and to contribute as good citizens to the life of American society. All of this is a great legacy which you have received, and which you have been called to enrich and pass on.
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS on Publish Date September 26, 2015. Photo by Pool photo by Tony Gentile. Watch in Times Video »
Most of you know the story of Saint Katharine Drexel, one of the great saints raised up by this local Church. When she spoke to Pope Leo XIII of the needs of the missions, the Pope – he was a very wise Pope! – asked her pointedly: “What about you? What are you going to do?”. Those words changed Katharine’s life, because they reminded her that, in the end, every Christian man and woman, by virtue of baptism, has received a mission. Each one of us has to respond, as best we can, to the Lord’s call to build up his Body, the Church.
“What about you?” I would like to dwell on two aspects of these words in the context of our particular mission to transmit the joy of the Gospel and to build up the Church, whether as priests, deacons, or members of institutes of consecrated life.
Continue reading the main story:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/26/us/pope-francis-homily-during-mass-at-cathedral-in-philadelphia.html?rref=collection%2Fnewseventcollection%2Fpope-francis-us-visit&action=click&contentCollection=us®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=5&pgtype=collection
Posted By: agnes levine
Sunday, September 27th 2015 at 9:11AM
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