Bishop Alfred Schlert celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving for Pope Leo XIV on May 13 at 12:15 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown.
The Mass, which was standing room only, welcomed various groups and members of the Diocese of Allentown. Representatives from the Knights of Columbus, as well as the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, were present, along with over a dozen priests from across the Diocese of Allentown.
Additionally, students from various Catholic schools – including the entire student body of St. John Vianney Regional School, Allentown – joined in celebrating the 267th successor of St. Peter: Pope Leo XIV.
The Mass began with the full Cathedral Choir singing the entrance hymns “Christus Vincit” and “Tu es Petrus,” while the Knights of Columbus served as the honor guard for the procession.
Bishop Schlert, the principal celebrant, welcomed the congregation warmly. “A little over a month ago, we came together at this very hour to pray for the repose of the soul of our Holy Father, Pope Francis,” he said. “And in the meantime, we’ve prayed incessantly to the Holy Spirit to enlighten the College of Cardinals to choose for us the man the Lord has called to be the successor of St. Peter. We come together today to celebrate and give thanks for the election of our new Holy Father, Pope Leo.”
To reflect the diversity of the Diocese, the first reading was proclaimed in English, and the second in Spanish. The Gospel reading, from Matthew 16:13-19, recounts Jesus saying to Peter: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.”
The Gospel was read by transitional deacon Robert Rienzo, who is scheduled to be ordained a priest in less than a month.
“[Pope Leo] is an American, and so that’s something quite different for the whole world and for us,” said Bishop Schlert in his homily. “But we love the Holy Father because he’s the Holy Father – not only because he’s American. Although, it is an extra added blessing when he comes from the home team.”
Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the newest Pope on May 8, and he chose the name Pope Leo XIV in honor of Pope Leo XIII. He is the first American Pope, hailing from Chicago, Ill. Pope Leo graduated from Villanova University in Philadelphia in 1977 earning a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics. After earning his degree, he entered the Augustinian order. He is the first Augustinian pope.
Bishop Schlert went on to reflect on the significance of the papacy and Pope Leo’s place in the divine plan of the Holy Spirit.
“The one whom we now call Leo XIV steps into the shoes of the fisherman as the successor of St. Peter: the rock upon whom Christ promised to build His Church. In this Apostolic Ministry, the Holy Father stands, not by his own authority, but as the Vicar of Christ, a visible sign of unity and the living voice of the Gospel in every age.”
Bishop Schlert noted that the faithful are called to actively follow the Pope and support him as an act of obedience to Christ.
“The Church does not flourish through the Pope’s ministry alone, but through the loving ascent and obedience of the whole body of Christ. It is our joy and duty to listen to his voice and to follow his witness as he leads us in fidelity in Christ,” he said.
After the homily, the gifts were presented by two students led by the Knights of Columbus. As the Mass continued, the congregation prayed for Pope Leo’s intentions and his papacy.
After the Mass, attendees were left with gratitude and united in prayer for our new Holy Father, and for the Bishop of Rome, Pope Leo XIV.
Photo by Ed Koskey.
