People came from across the Diocese to the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena in Allentown on April 25 in honor and memory of Pope Francis, to participate in a Solemn Pontifical Vespers for a Deceased Pontiff. Bishop Alfred Schlert was the main celebrant.
The Vespers was the culmination of an entire day of prayer devoted to the late Pope. The day began at noon with church bells across the Diocese tolling 88 times – once for each year the Pontiff lived – followed by a Solemn Pontifical Mass for a Deceased Pontiff, which started at 12:15 p.m. at the Cathedral.
The evening Vespers concluded just hours before the Pope’s funeral was set to begin, at 10 a.m. Rome time on Saturday (4 a.m. in the Eastern United States.)
“It’s so good for us to be here this evening, as we keep vigil with the Church throughout the world before the funeral Mass for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, in Rome,” said Bishop Schlert, speaking in both English and Spanish.
“We gather with people throughout the whole world in prayerful silence of the evening, mourning the passing of our Holy Father. This quiet hour reflects the spirit of his life – simple, humble, and rooted in trust in the Lord,” he said.
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Pontifical Vespers Keeps Vigil with the Church Before Funeral for the Holy Father - AD Today
People came from across the Diocese to the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena in Allentown on April 25 in honor and memory of Pope Francis, to participate in a Solemn Pontifical Vespers for a Deceased Pontiff. Bishop Alfred Schlert … Continue reading
