Thousands of faithful, including those from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the Dioceses of San Bernardino, Orange, San Diego and Fresno are preparing to unite in prayer to celebrate the immigrant spirit of the U.S. at the Mass in Recognition of All Immigrants presided by Archbishop José H. Gomez on Saturday, September 7 at 3 p.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles.
“We gather again this year to celebrate our communities and cultures and to give thanks for the gifts and talents that our immigrant brothers and sisters continue to bring to our great country,” said Archbishop Gomez. “In light of the tensions in our country and the mass shooting in El Paso, Texas recently, we pray especially this year for the grace to help our society see our common humanity — that we are all children of God, meant to live together as brothers and sisters, no matter the color of our skin, the language we speak, or the place we were born.”
Dozens of community leaders and volunteers serving the immigrant community will be recognized, and a testimony will be delivered by Daniela Luna, 20, who entered the country as an unaccompanied minor to reunite with her mother in Los Angeles after two attempts to seek asylum in the U.S. She started attending college this year. “I’m very excited to be able to participate at this Mass to recognize all immigrants and to be able to share my experience, which might serve as an example to other youth,” said Luna.
Full story at ADLA Newsroom.
This kind of “mass” is nothing more than a political rally, violating the 2nd Commandment by taking God’s name in vain, misusing the sacred liturgy to celebrate something that has nothing to do with Catholic faith. Gomez, you have not one shred of credibility anymore as a bishop. Same for any other bishop who is present at this political “mass”. Were “masses” celebrating the immigrant spirit celebrated when America was first founded and during the first 200 years? No. This is something that only started within the past forty years or so. Another rancid fruit of Vatican II.
wow did YOU get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning! If you have to describe the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in scare quotes ‘as a kind of “Mass”‘, you seem to have missed the point altogether. May Christ’s infinite sacrifice redeem us all!
No, It’s Gomez who misses the point altogether by celebrating something political under the guise of celebrating Mass. Why not just celebrate Mass? Why does it have to be made political?
Todos somos migrantes [we are all descendants of migrants]. My grandmother told me of INNA [Irish need not apply] in help wanted postings in 1910 Boston.
Our diversity is our greatest strength. Things change slowly but much awaits action.
Thanks to ABP. Gomez
How is diversity a strength when it’s obviously tearing the country apart? Diversity makes it more difficult to communicate and form community. There’s quite a lot to be said for uniformity in some respects. The “diversity is our greatest strength” mantra is a total lie. Ever heard of balkanization? It’s coming to America thanks to lack of assimilation into American culture.
mike m., I agree. All of my grandparents were also immigrants. They did not get their citizenship until after I was born! However– nobody of their era “celebrated diversity!” That was considered wrong! Instead, they gratefully embraced their new, beloved country, America — no longer of the “old country!” Instead– they all were very deeply PATRIOTIC!! “Proud To Be An American!’
No matter how many ways you try, Gomez, you aren’t going to get a red hat. Just accept it.
He could easily get a red MAGA hat!
Anonymous,
Archbishop Gomez is not likely to get a red hat until Mahony retires.
Too right mate! Gomez has proven himself to be just another liberal politician. For shame, given his position within the Church. He is a major disappointment.
I’m surprised that McElroy and Gomez didn’t receive red hats— they are so in tune with Pope Francis.
BTW: when is the Mass celebrating natural born American citizens and naturalized legal immigrants?
Yes, let’s have a Mass for Patriotism and Blessings on America.
It is not one of the commandments of the Church to be Dyspeptic all the time! Some of you need to remember that.
This Mass is a political celebration. Political celebrations do not belong in the Holy Mass. Yes. This is the profane“Spirit of Vatican 2”, the same spirit that has driven 75% of the membership out of the Church. How dare anyone put people who break the immigration laws of the nation in the same category as those who have lawfully and patiently awaited the nation’s official welcome? No other nation is told by prelates to break its immigration laws. Why should the United States?
After years of Mahony, Gomez is what the LA Archdiocese gets to suffer through now.
Yes, let us pray for all those who break our immigration laws, illegals who violate the Seventh Commandment. That their stealing into our borders is equivalent to breaking into somebody’s house to steal and claim things and residents’ rights that don’t belong to them.
People across the oceans – like Filipinos – file their papers legally, but are made to wait 20 years before their petitions can be processed. And they can only be admitted if they have relatives to support them, guarantee they can eventually fend for themselves, learn to speak and write the language, be without criminal records, and able to assimilate into the culture.
But our Bishops are only concerned with the illegals from Central America. They don’t care to help those who follow the law, just those who break them. We must pray for the illegals and the Bishops, that they may be hit with lightning that will wake them up and make them realize they’re on the wrong side of God’s commandment. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not enable those who steal..
Ha, there weren’t thousands. It was a mostly empty cathedral. Watch the facebook video:
https://www.facebook.com/lacatholics/videos/vb.124319130912226/2570982896297973/?type=2&theater
Travesty of a Mass, besides with awful OCP music and screeching cantors like a high school concert. Mass was preceded by polticically motivated statements about action for illegal immigrants.
Yep, Vatican II with modernist bishops sure has been a boon to the church. This video proves it, Sarcasm off.
Margarita,
Great comments. You nailed it—breaking the 7th Commandment.
Whitney,
Thanks for the truth about Mass attendance.
So how many people came? I watched on Facebook, me and at most 20 people based on the fluctuating number of eyes at the top of the screen.
It was disappointing to see that this mass did not draw many Catholics from across the LA diocese. Our catholic leaders should take note that this was not a well-received initiative.