The following comes from an April 9 story on the Catholic News Agency website.
The Pope celebrated Mass with Archbishop José H. Gomez, the highest-ranking American bishop of Hispanic origin, on the feast of the Lord’s Annunciation.
“It was a very special Eucharist for me because we were celebrating the Annunciation and I was ordained a Bishop in Denver on the Solemnity of the Annunciation in 2001,” Archbishop Gomez said in an April 8 Facebook post.
“During the Mass,” the archbishop added, “I was praying for Pope Francis and the Church but especially for our great Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
“After Mass I told Pope Francis that all the faithful of Los Angeles love him and that we are praying for him and his ministry and that he has our loyalty. He said that he is grateful for our prayers and he asked for more prayers!”
Archbishop Gomez, originally from Mexico and the current Los Angeles archbishop, concelebrated Mass with Pope Francis at Saint Martha’s House in the Vatican on April 8.
The archbishop is the head of the largest archdiocese in the United States, which also has the highest number and percentage of Hispanics in the country.
“Archbishop Gomez was extremely delighted and very moved,” said Mario Paredes in an April 9 interview with CNA.
Mario Paredes is the chairman emeritus of the Catholic Association of Latino Leaders, a group based in Los Angeles that aims to strengthen ties between Hispanics and the Church.
Around 50 people attended the Mass for the Annunciation of the Lord in the residence’s chapel.
“It was a very simple Mass, and after it finished the Pope greeted every person individually,” said Paredes.
“I was very moved, and we never imagined we would be so close to him,” he added.
The group of 20 people, which attended the Mass alongside Paredes, is in Rome from April 7–12 to meet with Church leaders.
Interestingly, the delegation is staying at Saint Martha’s House, the same place where the Pope has decided to live.
He said the group is “extremely delighted” to have breakfast, lunch and dinner with Pope Francis every day at the residency for Vatican employees.
“He is very affable, simple and very direct. And although he doesn’t speak much, he is very warm,” said Paredes.
To read original story, click here.
Each story about the Pope seems to be about him and him only. I find it very disturbing that he seems to be the center of attention and not the Holy Mass or the current crisis in the Holy Roman Church.
He’s the new Pope we need to get to know him. The rest will come
On the net search: “WWF Papacy!!! 04-12” by Church Militant TV (Daily Vortex).
I think most will love the quotes they hear from our new Pope Francis.
The mass at Casa Santa Marta is interesting. I have been there many times. It starts at 7:00 am sharp and only lasts half an hour. It is a good way to start your day. It is con-celebrated by all priests that are staying at this hotel/guesthouse on that day. So you have 10 or more priests every day. There was no homily, although this seems to have changed since the Bishop of Rome is residing there. The Chapel is an A-frame design with the tabernacle on the side, not behind the altar. It was the unfortunate Vatican II design of an American architect. When I was there there were not more than 20 atendees, all guests at the Domus. The sisters that serve the dining halls at the hotel are always there. Interestingly, they invariably take communion in the hand, although communion is allowed on the tounge; they also stood after communion although most others kneeled. Piero Marini, Pope Benedict’s master of ceremonies con-celebrated every time we were there.
The side entrance to St Peter’s Basilica is only 50 yards away from Domus Sanctae Marthae. In the Basilica one can find many simultaneous morning private masses at the side altars. At 8:30 there is the nicest Novus Ordo Mass ever at the side-Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament (I highly recommend it to any of you visiting Rome; it is very reverent and the Chapel has wonderful bronzes by Bernini and two of the original columns of the Temple of Solomon). Had he wished, Pope Francis could have enjoyed mass at the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament or so many other magnificent chapels at the Vatican.
I am glad our good (very good) Abp. José Gomez con-celebrated with the Pope. however, this is not an unusual event for priests staying at Domus Sanctae Marthae. I do hope Gomez will one day be elevated to Cardinal in spite of the dignity he displayed in the Roger Mahony/Thomas Curry affair.
The archbishop has time to fly to Rome or spend time talking and writing about illegal immigration, but the religious education conference still goes on; LMU (a Jesuit school) still has no mandatums for its “professors” and it allows gay clubs and lavender graduations to take place; and a Jesuit high school to have on its board (with members of the archbishop’s own education staff and LMU) a pro-abortion politician teach a social justice class. The state of Catholic education in the archdiocese seems to be severely wanting.
all popes have their charm and weaknesses and this one is no different; except that he is the first american pope. have a good end of the week and great sunday beginning.
Did he get the lecture to stay clear of subjects ABORTION AND GAY MARRIAGE?We don’t want to get on the wrong side of the ‘pope’