Diocese of Dallas to hold a Mass for Healing

A Mass for healing to bring about peace and justice will be held on May 25, 2021 at 12 noon at the Cathedral Guadalupe in Dallas. Bishop Edward Burns will preside at the special Mass and will be joined by Auxiliary Bishop Greg Kelly. The event will begin at 11:45 a.m. with a candle lighting ceremony and the tolling of the cathedral bells.

The Mass is being held on the anniversary of the death of George Floyd one year ago. According to Bishop Burns, “The death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020 brought forth much pain and suffering in our country and serves as a reminder that all people are created in God’s image and it is important for us to uphold the dignity of every human life.”

The Mass for healing is hosted by the Diocese of Dallas Interracial Healing Task Force, which was created by Bishop Burns in October of 2020. The 16-person Task Force promotes healing in line with Church teaching and tradition. The group also works to ensure that the Diocese of Dallas and all of its entities uphold the dignity of all people from all races and ethnicities, as all reflect the image of God.

UPDATE: There appears to be confusion regarding the purpose of this Mass of Healing, in part due to a flyer announcing the event that was not approved by the Diocese of Dallas. The purpose of this Mass is to pray for healing after a very painful year in our country. One cannot deny the social significance of Mr. George Floyd’s death and the role the events following it had in highlighting divisions in our nation. We are called to heal these divisions and seek unity in Christ. This is not a superficial unity built on political goals, but one founded in Christ through the sacraments, especially the eucharist, “which signifies and effects the unity of the People of God and brings about the building up of the body of Christ” (Canon 897). It is also important to emphasize that the tradition of applying the Mass for the dead (Canon 901), lighting candles and tolling bells represent integral parts of our rich Catholic faith.