Beatification of Pope John Paul II
(April 28, 2011) SAN FRANCISCO - A Mass commemorating the beatification of Pope John Paul II will be celebrated May 1, 2011 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral located on Geary Boulevard at Gough Street in San Francisco. Most Rev. John R. Quinn, Archbishop Emeritus of San Francisco and who hosted Pope John Paul II on his visit to San Francisco in 1987, will be principal celebrant and homilist. Pope Benedict XVI presides May 1st at beatification rites at the Vatican that move Pope John Paul II one step closer to sainthood.
A reception in the cathedral’s Patrons Hall after Mass will feature performances by Polish children’s groups, and an exhibit of memorabilia of the late pope, a former archbishop of Krakow and deeply proud of his Polish roots. Pope John Paul II served in one of the longest pontificates in church history – 26 years 168 days. He died April 2, 2005.
“Ethnic communities from throughout the Bay Area are planning to attend,” said Doug Benbow, director of liturgy at the cathedral. Benbow said similar events were taking place around the country.
The Archdiocese of San Francisco covers San Francisco, Marin and San Mateo counties with a Catholic population of 500,000. Eight million Catholics live in California in 12 dioceses or sees - Stockton, San Diego, San Bernardino, Orange, Fresno, Santa Rosa, Oakland, San Jose, Monterey, Sacramento and the Archdioceses of San Francisco and Los Angeles.
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Contact: George Wesolek (415) 606-7112
