Bishop to offer thanksgiving mass on March 21 for new Pope

 

Mangalore, 15 Mar 2013: The Mangalore Diocese will offer thanksgiving mass for the new Pope Argentina’s Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who takes the name Francis, the patron saint of the Jesuits congregation, during Chrism Mass offered at the Rosario Cathedral here on March 21 at 5pm.

 

Fr William Menezes, PRO, Mangalore Diocese, said: We are extremely happy on Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s election as the new Pope. We felicitate and pledge our allegiance to him. We wish and pray that his tenure bring about unity and faith among all countries and religions.

 

Fr William said that all priests of Mangalore Diocese will concelebrate the mass along with Bishop Most Rev Aloysius Paul D’Souza. On the occasion of Chrism Mass the Bishop blesses three oils — the oil of catechumens, the oil of the infirm and holy chrism — which will be used in the administration of the sacraments throughout the diocese for the year.

 

Fr Santosh Kamath of Fathima Retreat House said: It was a very pleasant surprise and the conclave happened quickly. He was in the running during in the previous conclave. He is modern thinker. Fr Kamath will offer thanksgiving mass this Sunday.

 

Fr Cedric Prakash from Prashanth - Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace at Ahmedabad said: We joyously welcome the election of Cardinal Bergoglio as Pope Francis I. His election as Supreme Pontiff of the Catholics worldwide has indeed come as a very pleasant surprise. "In breaking with precedence and choosing the name "Francis" a great lover of the poor, he has immediately set an agenda for the Catholics to live simple, in humility and focused on accompanying the poor: "It is hoped that Pope Francis will bring about a true renewal of the Church and the world at large, courageously responding to the signs of the times and addressing critical issues in a sensitive way and for the good of all," Fr Prakash added.