A Mass commemorating MLK

[yannick]

This week I read in my parish bulletin:
“…the Mass service commemorating Martin Luther King will start at 5PM”
Except the fact that the Mass is not a service, I have a dilema with this.
Here is my dilema: As an African America (and simply as an American) I am respectful of the legacy of MLK and even more grateful for his positive influence in the political life of our country. As catholic (which I am first), I am just wondering how do you celebrate a mass commemorating MLK he was obviously not a catholic, he not canonized Saint. We commemorate the Saints with special masses written for them, should not it be a votive mass or mass for special circunstance (may be with an intention during the prayer of the faithful specific to MLK). It seems to me that the wording: (*…the Mass service commemorating Martin Luther King will start at… *) is inappopriate.
Your thoughts?

 

[Caesar]

No this is not appropriate at all.

Martin Luther King Jr. was an admirable man, but he is not a saint. It would be perhaps permissable to have a Mass for the repose of his soul, but not one commemorating him as we would a canonized Catholic Saint.

He was a sinner like us all so we cannot know if he is in heaven or not. Even more, he was not Catholic so the question becomes even greater.

Also, your bulletin should not call the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass a service.

 

[stbruno]

** wpxi.com/news/15040935/detail.html **
** about the mass at St.Paul’s Cathedral in Pittsburgh**
13-January-2008 - Sunday
Build the Dream! - Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with Bishop Paul Bradley Sunday, January 13 at the noon mass at the Cathedral. Singing at the joyous occasion are the combined choirs of St Benedict the Moor Gospel Choir and St Charles Lwanga Choir. Following the mass everyone is invited to a reception and wonderful program in Cathedral’s social hall honoring King, a modern hero who gave his life for civil rights. Entertaining at the celebration will be Central Catholic Chamber Singers, the Jubilation Liturgical Dance group, winners in the annual Martin Luther King School Essay Contest and Rev. Thomas E. Johnson, a dynamic speaker. Don’t miss this wonderful celebration! For information call 412-688-0832

If you listen to this clip in no way does the homily suggest sainthood for MLK, instead it talks about the problem with racism and how MLK worked to rid the world of this evil. This was a mass to end racism in my opinion, not an effort to glorify or sanctify this man.

 

[AngelRose81]

I’ve not heard of Masses commerating non-Catholics…

Our parish is having a Liturgical service Monday night in memory of Dr. King, but it is not a Mass. Maybe you could suggest this to your pastor.

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

Everybody can use a Mass for the repose of his orher soul, and Masses can be offered for non-Catholics.

 

[benedictgal]

Everybody can use a Mass for the repose of his orher soul, and Masses can be offered for non-Catholics.

There is actually one way that you can have the Mass offered on this particular day. MLK falls during the week of Prayer for Christian Unity (which starts on Friday, January 18th and ends on Friday, January 25th-the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul).

Perhaps rather than say this is a Mass commemorating MLK, your pastor could very well use the propers for the votive Masses for Social Justice, Persecuted Christians or Christian Unity.

However, MLK Day this year also falls on the Feast of St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr which is a Memorial (not an optional one–she’s also my confirmation saint:thumbsup: ). You could very well celebrate the Memorial of St. Agnes while sprinkling in something about MLK (General Intercessions, a smidgen in the homily, etc).

 

[pprimeau1976]

I don’t really object to it if the Mass Intention was for Martin Luther King. I know that you don’t need to be Catholic or a saint to have a mass said for you.

What I would be concerned with is if his name is inserted as a saint in the Roman Canon. Can you imagine the priest said the following?

In union with the whole Church we honor Mary, the ever-virgin mother of Jesus Christ our Lord and God. We honor Joseph, her husband, the apostles and martyrs Peter and Paul, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Jude; we honor Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian, Martin Luther King, and all the saints.

I wouldn’t be suprised if someone was bold enough to do this. I know of a church in Detroit that has a fresco of Jesus in heaven with the angels and saints. If you go to this page on their website, you can view the fresco and click on the images of the “saints” they have depicted. Among the “saints” in heaven are:

Martin Luther King

http://www.stceciliadetroit.org/king_small.jpg

Malcom X

http://www.stceciliadetroit.org/malcolmx_small.jpg

Mahatma Gandhi

http://www.stceciliadetroit.org/ghandi_small.jpg

John F. Kennedy
Robert F. Kennedy

stceciliadetroit.org/kennedybros_small.jpg

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

This week I read in my parish bulletin:
“…the Mass service commemorating Martin Luther King will start at 5PM”
Except the fact that the Mass is not a service, I have a dilema with this.
Here is my dilema: As an African America (and simply as an American) I am respectful of the legacy of MLK and even more grateful for his positive influence in the political life of our country. As catholic (which I am first), I am just wondering how do you celebrate a mass commemorating MLK he was obviously not a catholic, he not canonized Saint. We commemorate the Saints with special masses written for them, should not it be a votive mass or mass for special circunstance (may be with an intention during the prayer of the faithful specific to MLK). It seems to me that the wording: (*…the Mass service commemorating Martin Luther King will start at… *) is inappopriate.
Your thoughts?

I would think it should be a memorial Mass.