SAO PAULO (CNS) — Catholic churches in cities hosting the World Cup have scheduled Masses in different languages to better welcome international fans and players.
Church officials asked priests who speak English, French, German, Italian and Spanish to celebrate Masses in these languages when the foreign teams are in their cities.
In Rio de Janeiro, Our Lady of Mercy in Botafogo planned English-language Masses.
[quote_box_right]Mass schedule[/quote_box_right]The press secretary at the Archdiocese of Sao Paulo announced that some churches around the city would be offering Masses in English, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, French and German during the World Cup. For instance, Our Lady of Bom Parto in the Tatuape neighborhood is holding its regular Sunday morning Mass but will also have English-speaking Masses at other times and days, if needed.
In Manaus, for example, where England and the U.S. are scheduled to play, Our Lady of Conception Cathedral and the San Sebastian Church planned Masses in English, Italian, Spanish and French, throughout the month of June.
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- World Peace Cup[/quote_box_right]Those going to see the games in Belo Horizonte can attend Mass in English and Spanish at Our Lady of Good Voyage or at St. Francis of Assisi Chapel. At St. Anthony Parish there will offer additional Masses in German, Italian and French.
Fans going to see Australia play in Cuiaba have a choice of two churches to attend Mass in English, including the Cathedral Basilica of the Good Lord Jesus.
American fans going to Natal to see the U.S. play against Ghana can go to Blessed Sacrament Chapel at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady of the Presentation June 15 for English-language Mass. The cathedral will also host Masses in Spanish and Italian.
In Recife, English-speaking Catholics can attend Mass in their own language at the Our Lady of Good Voyage every Sunday during the World Cup at 11a.m. To help foreigners the Archdiocese of Recife and Olinda has printed the Mass in seven languages.
Australians going to Porto Alegre to see their country play the Netherlands June 18 can attend Mass in English at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady Mother of God.
Although not hosting any games of English-speaking countries, the cities of Salvador, Brasilia and Fortaleza will also have Masses in several foreign languages, including English. Most of the Masses in foreign languages are held at the cities’ metropolitan cathedrals.
— By Lise Alves, Catholic News Service
