DIOCESE HOLDING MASSES FOR PAPAL CONCLAVE

The Papal Conclave to elect a new Pope begins on May 7

 The Catholic Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie will be hosting Masses in four areas of Northern Ontario to pray for the Papal Conclave which will begin on May 7.

 Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, the Cardinals of the Catholic Church will gather in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new leader. “This is a pivotal moment for our Church,” said Bishop Thomas Dowd, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie, “this is a time for us to support the College of Cardinals in prayer as they choose our new Pope.”

 The conclave gathers the Cardinals of the Catholic Church who are sequestered from the outside world as they consider the current needs and challenges the Church faces today. On the first day of the conclave, scheduled for May 7, one vote will take place. Then the following days could see a total of four votes each day until a Pope is chosen. White smoke will billow from the chimney of St. Peter’s Basilica to signify a new Pope is chosen, before the new Pope himself is introduced to the world.

 “By gathering locally, this provides an opportunity for us here in Northern Ontario to come together in prayer, while uniting us with others across the world in support of this significant process for the Church,” added Bishop Dowd. 

 The Masses will be held in four different locations all taking place on Tuesday, May 6 at 7pm.

          Sault Ste. Marie: Precious Blood Cathedral (778 Queen Street East)

          Espanola: Anishinabe Spiritual Centre (1091 Anderson Lake Road)

          North Bay: Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption (480 McIntyre Street West)

          Sudbury: Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto (271 Van Horne Street) (in the event of

inclement weather, the Mass will be held at Ste-Annes-des-Pins on Beech Street)