Mass of the Dead
For our homeless brethren

When they die, who remembers the chronically homeless and often mentally ill and alcoholic or drug addicted men and women who wandered our streets? Often, no one. In many cases, no one around them even knew their real names. But they are children of God.

On Thursday, November 8, at 6:30 p.m., Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone offered a Solemn Mass of the Dead for the faithful departed who are our homeless brethren, at St. Patrick Church, 756 Mission (near 4th Street).

Click here for the full news release:    in English    +    in Spanish     +     in Chinese 

There are approximately 2,100 chronically homeless on our streets, according to the San Francisco Homeless Count & Survey 2017, a biennial survey. Exact numbers of homeless deaths are difficult to track although mortality is four to nine times higher among chronically homeless people than among the general population. Life expectancy is 25 years shorter. San Francisco averages 7,500 people categorized as homeless each night, including families and students living in vehicles, in tents, and in parks, while going to school and work each day.

"The Catholic Church believes one of the greatest acts of charity we can perform is to pray for the eternal salvation of those who have gone before. That is what we are doing," said organizer Martin Ford, social action coordinator for the Archdiocese of San Francisco's Office of Human Life and Dignity.

Religious sisters from St. Mother Teresa of Kolkata’s order, the Missionaries of Charity, sang the Mass, with contributions from the Benedict XVI Institute choir. Catholic Charities CEO Jilma Meneses read the first Scripture reading. Students from Catholic high schools including Archbishop Riordan High School, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, St. Ignatius College Preparatory, and Immaculate Conception Academy assisted with reading intentions, distributing programs and holy cards.

The Order of Malta, known for bringing the desperately sick to Lourdes, served as ushers. The Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women served cake after the Mass, with Catholic Relief Services representatives offering fair trade coffee to go with the cake. Duggan's Serra Mortuary printed special holy cards for the homeless who have died to be distributed at the Mass.

A collection to support Catholic Charities of San Francisco in its ministry to the homeless was taken up during Mass.

"Amen, I say to you, whatever you do for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me."   Gospel of Matthew 25:31-45 (New American Bible)

Questions? Contact Martin Ford, Social Action Coordinator   415-614-5569  or   homelessmass@sfarch.org.

Below you will find links to printable fliers that you can post in your church or community board in both color and black and white.  You will also find two graphics you can use in your church bulletin in both color or black and white.  To save these items, right click (for mac users, ctrl + click) and either press "save target as" or "save link as".