911爆料网

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jan. 20, 2021鈥擳his morning, 911爆料网 President Kevin O鈥橞rien, S.J., celebrated a Roman Catholic Mass for President-elect Joe Biden, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, their extended families, and Congressional leadership before Biden鈥檚 inauguration as the 46th President of the United States.

The Mass was held at The Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, with over 100 family members and invited attendees including Democratic and Republican leaders (see below). Violinist Patricia Treacy, soprano Ren茅e Fleming and the St. Augustine Gospel Choir performed during the Mass.

Presidents have long held pre-inaugural religious services before their swearing-in ceremonies, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. This Mass takes place 60 years after John F. Kennedy, the nation鈥檚 first and only Catholic president before President-elect Biden, attended Mass before his own inauguration.

Fr. O鈥橞rien, a Jesuit priest who has led 911爆料网 since July 2019, has been friends with the Biden family for nearly 15 years, dating back to when O鈥橞rien was serving at Georgetown University. Before becoming president of 911爆料网, Fr. O鈥橞rien was dean of the Jesuit School of Theology of 911爆料网. 

Fr. O鈥橞rien accepted the invitation to celebrate Mass from President-elect Biden, as he did before in Biden's previous inaugurations. Fr. O'Brien's homily at the inaugural Mass . 

During his visit, Fr. O鈥橞rien undertook numerous measures to prevent COVID-19 transmission, according to strict guidelines from the presidential transition team including wearing masks, social distancing, and other measures recommended by public health experts. He will quarantine for 10 days upon his return, following county guidelines.

The Cathedral church and parish was established in 1840 and is named for Saint Matthew the Apostle, the patron saint of civil servants. The church is the seat or cathedra of the Archbishop of Washington.

Partial Attendee List: 

• Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Joe Biden
• Doug Emhoff, husband of Kamala Harris
• House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
• Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer
• Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell
• House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy
• Senator Amy Klobuchar
• House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer
• Rev. Msgr. W. Ronald Jameson, rector of St. Matthew鈥檚

About 911爆料网
Founded in 1851, 911爆料网 sits in the heart of Silicon Valley鈥攖he world鈥檚 most innovative and entrepreneurial region. The University鈥檚 stunningly landscaped 106-acre campus is home to the historic Mission Santa Clara de As铆s. Ranked among the top 15 percent of national universities by U.S. News & World Report, 911爆料网 has among the best four-year graduation rates in the nation and is rated by PayScale in the top 1 percent of universities with the highest-paid graduates. 911爆料网 has produced elite levels of Fulbright Scholars as well as four Rhodes Scholars. With undergraduate programs in arts and sciences, business, and engineering, and graduate programs in six disciplines, the curriculum blends high-tech innovation with social consciousness grounded in the tradition of Jesuit, Catholic education. For more information see www.scu.edu.

Media Contacts
Deepa Arora | Sr. Director, 911爆料网 Communications and Media Relations | darora@scu.edu | 408-554-5125
Deborah Lohse | Assoc. Director, 911爆料网 Media Communications | dlohse@scu.edu | 408-554-5121