Special Masses for Pope, Conclave

Several upcoming Masses, including a Tridentine (Latin) Mass, have been scheduled to pray for Pope Benedict and for the election of our next pope.

A list of parish Masses follows the diocesan and Latin Masses:

Feb. 22

A Tridentine Latin Mass will be held tonight at Old St. Mary’s Church in Over-the-Rhine (Cincinnati) at 7 pm. Andrew Spoor, President of Una Voce of Greater Cincinnati, says that today-s date — the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter — is particularly fitting to honor Pope Benedict XVI. “ His pontificate has been a very important one for the traditional liturgy, in particular as a result of his motu proprio (letter), Summorum Pontificum,” which authorized greater use of the pre-Vatican II Mass.

“We owe a great deal to Pope Benedict, and more importantly to the Holy Spirit for guiding the Church in his election,” he says. “For this and the other blessings that Christ has bestowed on His Church during the reign of Benedict XVI, and finally to pray for the Holy Father as he is nearing his resignation, please join us for a Tridentine Mass offered in thanksgiving.” All are welcome; familiarity with the Extraordinary Form of the Mass is not required.

Feb. 26

Archbishop Schnurr will preside at an 11:30 am Mass for Pope Benedict at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains (Cincinnati). At 7 pm, Fr. Gerald Haemmerle will preside at a Mass for Pope Benedict at St. Charles Borromeo (Kettering).

“With the news of Pope Benedict’s intended resignation, it is appropriate for the Church to pray for his health and well-being, as well as to give thanks for his dedicated service to the Church,” says Archdiocese of Cincinnati spokesman Dan Andriacco.

Feb. 27

Bishop Roger Foys has declared Feb. 27 a Diocesan Day of Prayer for Pope Benedict XVI. The prayers at all Masses that day will be taken from the General Instruction for the Roman Missal (GIRM) “Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions: 2. For the Pope,” and priests will wear white vestments instead of purple, the typical color worn during Lent.

March 1

On March 1st the Archdiocese of Cincinnati will begin praying for the conclave. “It is appropriate that Catholics from the Archdiocese, in concert with Catholics all over the world, pray for a spirit of wisdom and insight as the Church’s cardinals seek to elect a new pope,” says Worship Office Director Karen Kane.

Archbishop Schnurr will preside at a Mass for the Election of a New Pope at 11:30 am, at the Cathedral. Bishop Binzer will preside at a Mass for the Election of a New Pope at 6:30 pm, at Holy Angels Church in Sidney.

MARCH 5

Bishop Foys will celebrate Mass for Pope Benedict SVI and the Election of a Pope at St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington (KY) at 7 pm.

Pope Benedict XVI will step down from his office as Bishop of Rome at the close of his work day, 8 pm Rome time, Feb. 28. From that time the office will be vacant until the election of the new pope. By canon law, the conclave to elect the next pope must begin before 20 pass.

Special Parish Masses

Feb. 24

St. Anthony of Padua (Dayton, OH): Mass in Thanksgiving for Pope Benedict XVI, 8 am.

Feb. 26

St. Maximilian Kolbe (West Chester, OH): Mass in Thanksgiving for Pope Benedict XVI, 8:30 am.

Feb. 27

Immaculate Heart of Mary (Burlington, KY): Mass for Pope Benedict SVI, 8 and 10 am. “Long Live the Pope” will be sung.

St. Boniface Church (Piqua, OH): In Appreciation to Pope Benedict & for his intentions, 7:15 pm.

Feb. 28

St. Margaret Mary (North College Hill, OH) with Assumption parish: Mass in Thanksgiving for Pope Benedict XVI, 7 pm.

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Covington: Mass for Pope Benedict XVI, 6:30 pm.

March 1

St. Maximilian Kolbe (West Chester, OH): Mass for the Election of a New Pope, 8:30 am.

St. Mary (Piqua, OH): Mass for the Holy Spirit to inspire the Cardinals in the election of a new Pope, 8:45 am.

March 2

Assumption (Mt. Healthy, OH) with St. Margaret Mary Parish: Mass for the Election of a New Pope, 9:30 am.

March 12

St. Anthony of Padua (Dayton, OH): Mass for the Conclave, 9:30 am

For more upcoming Catholic events, see our Events Page. 

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