News from the Chancery is published each week to share information and upcoming events with the people of the Diocese of Victoria.
We have six items to share with you today:
1) Habemus Papam: We have a Pope! We rejoice in the announcement of our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, who has been chosen to lead the Catholic Church as the Successor of St. Peter.
Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, the Chicago-born prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops under Pope Francis, was elected the 267th pope on May 8, 2025. He now takes on the sacred responsibility of shepherding the faithful around the world.
Please keep Pope Leo XIV in your prayers as he begins his ministry, asking the Holy Spirit to guide him with wisdom, compassion, and courage. May his papacy be blessed with peace and unity for the Church and the world.
The Inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV will be held on May 18, 2025, at 1:00 am PDT (10:00 am local time in Rome). All are welcome to participate via livestream on the Vatican News YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VaticanNewsEN
Find a printable prayer card for Pope Leo XIV, which features the official photograph provided by the Holy See, here.
(You may share this file freely in its electronic format and/or reproduce it on paper, as long as the reproduction or sharing is for non-commercial purposes.)
2) Applications are being accepted for bursaries and awards offered by the Diocese of Victoria in 2025 to outstanding students and educators. Please find more details on deadlines and application information here: https://www.rcdvictoria.org/diocesanblog/2025-bursaries-awards
3) Rachel’s Vineyard on Vancouver Island offers safe and confidential retreats for women and men seeking healing and peace after abortion. To learn more, please email rachelsvineyardvancouverisland@gmail.com or visit https://www.rachelsvineyardvanisland.org/
4) The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has expanded its social media presence with the recent launch of official accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, in addition to their existing X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube presence. Please find the links to all current CCCB platforms below.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/conferencecccb/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cccb.cecc/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cccbcecc/
X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/CCCB_CECC
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CCCBCECC
5) On May 16, Broad View United Church (3703 St Aidens Street, Victoria) will host an ecumenical prayer session in The Way of Taizé at 6:00 pm. All are invited to join in this evening of prayer and song.
6) Beloved Catholic Women's Ministries invites you to a Dessert Auction Fundraiser in support of women in our Diocese who wish to attend the annual Women's Retreat at Camp Homewood but are unable to do so due to financial barriers. The auction will take place on May 30, 2025, from 7:00–9:00 pm at St. Joseph the Worker Parish (753 Burnside Road West, Victoria). Get your free tickets before May 26 at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/dessert-auction-fundraiser-tickets-1343131946809. To donate a dessert, or make a financial donation, please email vicatholicwomensretreat@gmail.com.
Please see the attached poster for this event.
