News Release
September 22, 2004
CARDINAL RIGALI TO CELEBRATE ANNUAL PUERTO RICAN MASS
Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will be the main celebrant and homilist at the annual Puerto Rican Festival Mass. The purpose of the Mass is to celebrate the faith, accomplishments and culture of the Puerto Rican people.
Procession
6:30 p.m.
18th and Vine Streets
Philadelphia
Mass
7:00 p.m.
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia
This year marks 50 years of service of the Office for Hispanic Catholics of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, which sponsors the Mass. In 1954, John Cardinal O'Hara, former Archbishop of Philadelphia appointed an auxiliary bishop as the first director of the Spanish-speaking apostolate. In the early years of the Office of Hispanic Catholics, the vast majority of Hispanics served were Puerto Rican. Today, the Archdiocese is the home of Hispanics from many other Latin American countries with varied cultures and traditions. The Mass celebrated by Cardinal Rigali will pay tribute to that diversity with representation from all Latin American countries.
Contact
Donna Farrell
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747