When we ran down the music to be included at the Papal Mass on Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, it was an ambitious list that included a number of prelude hymns and a number of communion hymns. But, despite everyone’s best efforts, much of the music was never sung.
Read moreAuthor: Frank Klose
Dr. Francis X. Klose is assistant professor of religious studies at Cabrini College in Radnor, PA, and music director at St. Katherine of Siena parish in Philadelphia, PA.
Full Texts of Homilies and Addresses of Pope Francis in U.S., All Worship Programs Released
Many commenters have been asking about music and the texts of the homilies, addresses, and other remarks Pope Francis made during his time in the United States. Thanks to one website and the USCCB, all have been posted.
Read moreFiat 500L Cars Pope Francis Used in United States Will Be Auctioned for Charity
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnuXc-FWyEI When Pope Francis stepped off of the plane into the United States, many expected to see him get into a limousine. However, the car
Read moreExpert: Papal Mass Numbers Were Largely Exaggerated
The original estimate of attendance at the Papal Mass was upwards of 1.5 million. Then, the number became a much smaller 1 million. During the broadcasts of the Papal Mass, the numbers floated around were about 800,000. So, how many people were there really?
Read moreThe Mural Pope Francis Signed is Part of a Network of Social Justice Murals in Philadelphia
In nice big letters, Pope Francis signed the last piece of a mural. He chose to sign it “Francis”, in nice big letters. But, this is not an isolated mural, but part of a greater Mural Arts Program that helps transform the City of Philadelphia.
Read moreIn Philadelphia, Only the Ticketed Can Stay in Secure Area; Homeless Must Go
Pope Francis created quite the stir at lunch while in Washington, D.C. Instead of eating a lunch with high profile politicians, Pope Francis turned down the opportunity. Instead, Pope Francis decided to eat lunch with the homeless. So, the removal of the homeless as part of the “cleanup” in the City of Philadelphia is turning some heads.
Read moreAre Papal Events Too Disruptive? Perception Leads to “Popecations”, Low Turnout
On Friday afternoon, the City of Philadelphia was a ghost town. While some streets were already blocked off in anticipation of tomorrow’s Festival of Families and Sunday’s Papal Mass, the streets were much clearer than most days in the City of Brotherly Love.
Read moreA Look into the Official World Meeting of Families Hymn, “Sound the Bell of Holy Freedom”
People in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia have been for the last several months singing “Sound the Bell of Holy Freedom”. The hymn was chosen as the official hymn for the 2015 World Meeting of Families.
Read more“Knotted Grotto” is Set Up Outside the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul for Unity in Prayer
Pope Francis has a favorite painting: “Mary, Undoer of Knots”. In anticipation for the visit of Pope Francis to Philadelphia, Meg Saliman was commissioned to come up with an artistic work in honor of “Mary, Undoer of Knots” that would sit prominently in Philadelphia.
Read moreChildren’s Choir Director: World Meeting of Families Offers Chance to See “A Side of the Church People Do Not Get to See”
Elizabeth Folger and Michael Zubert served as assistant directors of of the Archdiocesan children’s choir under John Romeri. After Romeri’s resignation, Folger and Zubert found themselves in the role of directors of the children’s choir just in time for the World Meeting of Families and Papal Mass.
Read more