Thousands attend Christmas mass in St. Mary’s Church

MINNEAPOLIS— Thousands of parishioners from across metro and greater Minnesota attended Christmas Day Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary.

This was the 110th Christmas in the Basilica, which first opened in 1914.

Clergy we spoke with said this year’s Christmas homily echoed that of Pope Francis: build bridges to overcome divisions.

“We come here and we are a little rejuvenated and nourished by this message,” says Johan Van Parys, director of Ministries. “We can go out into the world to do better and be better.”

It was a message that resonated with many people in the pews, including Victor Mwanje, who came to the Basilica from Mankato.

“Building bridges between people, I think we have to start with families and within our families,” he said.