The
COURIER
Ash Wednesday February 22
February 2023
Official Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona-Rochester, MN | dowr.org
At Funeral, Pope Remembers Benedict's Diocese to Hold a Eucharistic 'Wisdom, Tenderness, Devotion' Congress By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY, Jan. 5, 2023 (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI "spread and testified to" the Gospel his entire life, Pope Francis told tens of thousands of people gathered Jan. 5 for his predecessor's funeral Mass. "Like the women at the tomb, we too have come with the fragrance of gratitude and the balm of hope, in order to show him once more the love that is undying. We want to do this with the same wisdom, tenderness and devotion that he bestowed upon us over the years," Pope Francis said in his homily. The Mass in St. Peter's Square was the first time in more than 200 years that a pope celebrated the funeral of his predecessor. Pope Pius VII had celebrated the funeral of Pius VI in 1802 when his remains were returned to Rome after he died in exile in France in 1799. Pope Benedict, who had retired in 2013, had requested his funeral be simple; the only heads of state invited to lead delegations were those of Italy and his native Germany. However, many dignitaries -- including Queen Sofia of Spain and King Philippe of Belgium -- and presidents and government ministers representing more than a dozen nations were in attendance, as were most of the ambassadors to the Holy See. Members of the College of Cardinals sat on one side of the casket, while, on the other side, sat special guests, including the late pope's closest collaborators and representatives of the Orthodox, Oriental
By FR. WILL THOMPSON
�hen was the last time you were at Mass with
CNS Photo / Vatican Media
Orthodox, Anglican, Protestant and U.S. evangelical communities. Jewish and Muslim organizations also sent delegations. Pope Francis presided over the Mass and Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, was the main celebrant at the altar. Some 120 cardinals, another 400 bishops and 3,700 priests concelebrated. More than 1,000 journalists, photographers and camera operators from around the world were accredited to cover the funeral in St. Peter's Square. An estimated 50,000 people filled the square for
Funeral, cont'd on pg. 16
500 people? Christmas or Easter…maybe? How about 5,000 people? This is what the diocese is planning on June 10, 2023, at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center in Mankato—and you are invited! There have been a few times in my life that I have taken part in large celebrations of the Eucharist: National Catholic Youth Conference, Steubenville Conference, FOCUS Conference, World Youth Day. Never have I taken part in celebration this size, however, within our own diocese. The largest event our diocese has ever held was at the Jubilee celebration in 2000 with, you guessed it, 2,000 people in attendance. As you may note from the list above, all of the large events I have participated in are youth or young adult events. This event - our diocesan Eucharistic Congress - is meant for all. There is something about these large gatherings that give us a glimpse of how big our Church really is. I hope you will choose to take part. The Diocese of Winona-Rochester Eucharistic Congress will begin with a night of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at Ss. Peter & Paul Parish in Mankato on Friday, June 9 (no registration needed). This night will be led by a National Eucharistic Preacher, Fr. Luke Ferris, while music will be provided by Luke Spehar. Then, on Saturday, we have
Congress, cont'd on pg. 16
INSIDE this issue
Ministry as Servant Leaders page 6
Catholic Ministries Appeal pages 8-9
Koinonia page 11