Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will celebrate the 44th annual Mass in thanksgiving for the canonization of Saint Martin de Porres, the Saint of Universal Brotherhood.

2:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 5, 2006
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia

Marin de Porres was born in Peru in the 16th century to a Spanish nobleman and a black woman of Panama who was freed a slave. He became a Dominican brother and devoted his life to caring for the poor and sick. Pope John Paul XXIII canonized Martin de Porres in 1962, making him the first saint of color in the western hemisphere.

People of all faiths are invited to attend this Mass of Unity and Brotherhood coordinated by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Office for Black Catholics.

For more information, please call the Office for Black Catholics, 215-587-3634.

Contact
Meredith Wilson
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747