Sunday, May 22 – Monday, May 30

On May 31st, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast commemorates the Blessed Mother’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth and the encounter of Jesus and St. John the Baptist while in the wombs of their mothers.

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Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will celebrate a Mass to close the Archdiocesan phase of the Synod on Saturday, June 4^th, at 12:05 p.m. in the Chapel of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

All are invited to attend this special Mass. For more information please visit archphila.org/synod.

Statement of Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez Regarding Racially Motivated Shooting in Buffalo, New York

“This weekend, I participated in the Concert for Unity, sponsored by our Archdiocesan Commission on Racial Healing.  It featured a unified choir of over 100 gifted individuals from diverse racial and ethnic communities praising God with one voice along with shared reflections and bold statements condemning the sin of racism.

This moment of grace came less than twenty-four hours after a brutal and racially motivated shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York that left 10 people dead and a community in mourning. It is another painful reminder that the mortal sin of racism has not been eradicated in this country. We must continue our work to stamp it out. All lives are gifts from God designed to share their unique gifts with those around them. Tragically, these gifts were violently ripped away from families, friends, and a community that is now struggling with deep grief.

I pray that God will comfort those whose hearts have been broken and that He will embolden and strengthen all of us to build and defend a culture of love and respect for all of our brothers and sisters.”

Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, D.D.
Archbishop of Philadelphia

May 11, 2022

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate failed to advance the Women’s Health Protection Act, S. 4132. This bill would have imposed abortion on demand nationwide at any stage of pregnancy through federal statute and would have eliminated pro-life laws at every level of government — including parental notification for minor girls, informed consent, and health or safety protections specific to abortion facilities. S. 4132 also would have compelled all Americans to support abortions here and abroad with their tax dollars and would have also likely forced health care providers and professionals to perform, assist in, and/or refer for abortion against their deeply-held beliefs, as well as forced employers and insurers to cover or pay for abortion.

Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities and Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, chairman of the Committee for Religious Liberty, issued the following statement:

“The ‘Women’s Health Protection Act’ (S. 4132) is an utterly unjust and extreme measure that would impose abortion on demand nationwide at any stage of pregnancy through federal statute. We are relieved that the Senate vote to advance this bill failed for the second time in less than three months. This bill insists that elective abortion, including late-term elective abortion, is a ‘human right’ and ‘women’s health care’ — something that should be promoted, funded, and celebrated. S. 4132 is far more extreme than Roe v. Wade. It would invalidate widely supported laws that protect women and unborn children from an unscrupulous abortion industry, would force all Americans to support abortion here and abroad with their tax dollars, and seeks to force religious hospitals and health care professionals to perform abortions against their beliefs. Please click here to read the fulll statement.

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will celebrate Mass and ordain seven men from Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary as Transitional Deacons at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

All people of good will are invited to participate in the Mass in-person or virtually. The Mass will be streamed live; please click here on Saturday, May 14th, at 10:00 AM to participate virtually in the Mass.

Ordination to Transitional Deacon is the final step prior to Ordination to the Priesthood. Transitional Deacons will serve in parishes for one year as they also complete their studies toward eventual ordination as priests next year. Their diaconate ministry is one of transition and a part of the normal progression to the priesthood.

Those being ordained as Transitional Deacons are: Anthony J. Albanese; Shane M. Flanagan; Randall J. Kraft; Phong T. Le; Kenneth I. Omeke; John C. Okpara; and Wesly L. Taveras.

Archbishop Pérez  recently released a video message extending prayer congratulants to these seven men on behalf of the people of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. To view the video, please click here.

Prayerful best wishes to Bishop Deliman!

At noon Roman time today, Pope Francis announced from the Vatican that he has accepted the retirement of Most Reverend Edward M. Deliman, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia. As required by the Code of Canon Law for all bishops, Bishop Deliman petitioned the Vatican for retirement on the occasion of his 75^th birthday, which took place in March of this year. Although officially retired, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Deliman will continue serving the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and its people in several capacities.

Archbishop Pérez has issued a statement of prayerful gratitude for Bishop Deliman’s many years of service. Click here to read the statement.

Jean is joined by Linda Carmona Bell and Dianne Tufo for this week’s message. Check it out!

Reverend Stephen D. Thorne, Chair of the Archbishop’s Commission on Racial Healing, invites you to attend the Commission’s inaugural concert, We Find Hope in You: A Concert for Racial Healing, that will be held on Sunday, May 15^th at 3:00 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. The concert aims to put a spotlight on the racial and ethnic diversity present throughout the five-county Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It will also offer those in attendance an opportunity to encounter cross-cultural relationships, which are at the heart of the Commission’s work.

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will offer words of hope and inspiration during the concert that will feature nearly 100 singers from throughout the region. They will perform pieces in several languages including Igbo, Spanish, and English. Music from the Gospel and Filipino choral traditions will also be performed. There is no cost to attend the concert. Please click here for more information.