Praying for the souls in purgatory
By Catholic San Francisco
Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Colma held a special All Souls Day Mass celebrated by retired San Francisco Auxiliary Bishop William Justice on Saturday, November 2, to pray for the souls of those who had passed away over the past year and all those who were buried at the cemetery. The Mass in the mausoleum was the largest since the pandemic.
This annual tradition has recently extended to Masses throughout the month for different ethnic communities in the Archdiocese including the Tongan community, Korean community, the Myanmar and Burmese communities and the Chinese Catholic community.
In addition, Holy Cross holds year-round Masses celebrated on first Saturdays by priests of the Archdiocese to pray for the souls entrusted to their care. This tradition, according to Monica Williams, director of Cemeteries for the Archdiocese of San Francisco, began with Archbishop Joseph Sadoc Alemany, the first Archbishop of San Francsico. He would ride out on horseback to Calvary Cemetery, the original cemetery of the Archdiocese, to celebrate Mass there each month. The tradition continues to this day.
All are invited to participate in the upcoming events at the cemetery, including the Veteran’s Day Prayer Service on Monday, November 11, and every first Saturday of the month.
Upcoming Masses at Holy Cross Cemetery:
Veterans Day Prayer Service
Monday, November 11, 11 am
Star of the Sea Veterans Section at Holy Cross Cemetery
Presider: Chaplain, Col, C. Michael Padazinski USAF (ret)
Chancellor, Archdiocese of San Francisco
Pastor, St. Patrick’s Parish, Larkspur
Memorial Mass for the Myanmar (Burmese) Catholic Community
Saturday, November 9, 10 am, All Saints Chapel, Holy Cross Cemetery
Memorial Rosary and Mass offered for all the deceased members of the Myanmar Catholic Community.
A reception follows in the Holy Spirit Chapel.
Memorial Mass for the Chinese Catholic Community
Saturday, November 16, 11 am, All Saints Chapel, Holy Cross Cemetery
This Mass is offered for all the deceased members of the Chinese Catholic Community.
Celebrant: Fr. Peter Zhai
