Neophyte Mass

Bishop Robert Deeley will celebrate the annual Neophyte Mass on Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland. Those newly initiated or received into the Catholic Church on Easter who attend this liturgy will receive a special blessing, a small gift, as well as enjoy a light reception after the Mass.

A neophyte is a newly initiated person who is going through the final period of Christian Initiation, the post-baptismal catechesis called "mystagogy." The Rite of Christian Initiation notes that during the period of mystagogy the bishop meets again after the celebration of the Easter Vigil with those whose names were called at the Rite of Election. To celebrate this, the neophytes and newly received, along with their families and friends, are invited to attend a Mass with the bishop to rejoice in their initiation.

The Mass is not intended for neophytes alone. All are invited to attend and to celebrate with those newly welcomed into the Catholic faith.

PARISH LEADERS:

Please RSVP by April 9 with names and total number of neophytes attending from your faith parish.  In addition to receiving a special blessing from the Bishop, neophytes in attendance at this liturgy will be gifted with a copy of "Reflections and Prayers for New Catholics" as a gift from the diocese.  Click here for more information to share with the neophytes.