09/29/2023
Catholics from across Archdiocese of Toronto celebrate Solemnity of Saint Michael, Conferral of Pallium upon Archbishop Francis Leo
Pope’s representative in Canada joins GTA Catholics to celebrate Patron Saint of Archdiocese of Toronto and confer symbol of archbishop’s ministry
TORONTO (September 29, 2023) Catholics from across the Archdiocese of Toronto will gather at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica in downtown Toronto on Friday, September 29 at 5:30 p.m. for a Mass celebrating the Solemnity of Saint Michael the Archangel. The Most Rev. Francis Leo, Archbishop of Toronto will preside, with music from the world-renowned St. Michael’s Choir School.
Saint Michael serves as the patron saint of the Archdiocese of Toronto, with this special day of recognition celebrated each year on September 29. Saint Michael features prominently in Toronto’s history, with churches, schools, hospitals and social service agencies bearing the saints’ name and serving as a witness of the Catholic community’s presence and ministry in Canada’s largest city. More than 15 bishops and 130 priests will join hundreds of Catholics for the celebration, including young people who recently attended World Youth Day 2023 in Portugal.
Pope Francis’ representative in Canada, the Most Rev. Ivan Jurkovič, will also be present to confer the pallium upon Archbishop Leo. The pallium, a stole-like vestment worn by Metropolitan Archbishops worldwide, was blessed by Pope Francis this past June during a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. The vestment, made of wool from two lambs blessed by the pope on the Feast of St. Agnes each year, symbolizes the archbishop’s unity with Pope Francis as well as the bond between the shepherd of the faithful and his flock.
The Most Rev. Francis Leo was installed as Archbishop of Toronto on March 25, 2023. Originally from Montreal, Quebec, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1996. Prior to his Toronto appointment, he served in several parish communities in Montreal, entered the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See working in different Apostolic Nunciatures across the globe, and served as General Secretary of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops before his 2022 appointment as an Auxiliary Bishop of Montreal. His episcopal motto, based on the Gospel according to St. John is, “Do Whatever He Tells You.” (John 2:5)
The Archdiocese of Toronto, Canada’s largest diocese, is one of the most diverse faith communities in North America, serving as the spiritual home to approximately two million Catholics with close to 400 priests celebrating Mass in more than 30 languages each week at 225 parishes. The archdiocese stretches from Toronto north to Georgian Bay and from Oshawa to Mississauga.
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Note: To respect the sacred nature of Mass, we ask that working media identify themselves to a church representative upon arrival and follow the protocols they provide. Mass will be livestreamed on the Cathedral Basilica website located at: https://www.stmichaelscathedral.com/live/ and broadcast on Salt & Light TV.
Media Contacts:
Neil MacCarthy – Director, PR & Communications, 416-879-2846 or [email protected]
Eamonn Doyle – Communications Manager, 647-641-9029 or [email protected]
