Source: Anadolu Agency / Getty
It’s been reported that a San Francisco church plans to host a Beyoncé mass in honor of the singer. The Grace Cathedral’s service is scheduled to take place today (April 25th) and it will include Beyoncé’s music, along with Bible readings, prayers and communion.
Reverend Yolanda Norton, who will preside over the mass, told The NYTimes, “There’s been pushback. There has been a misunderstanding about what we’re doing and even from people in the church. But this is about bringing people together, not pulling them apart.”
- Norton also spoke with Essence on the concept of the mass and said, “This is not a service deifying Beyoncé. This is a service that uses Beyoncé’s music as a tool to engender positive, empowering conversation about black women. The premise of [the class] is that if we look at the personal life, career trajectory, music and public persona of Beyoncé, so much of her life reflects aspects of black women’s stories.”
- She added, “We use ‘Flaws and All,’ a song maybe she wrote for her fans or for JAY-Z. But if you listen to the words in an ecclesiastical context, it’s a very faithful, honest, raw acknowledgment of the imperfect relationship we have with God.”
- According to Rap-Up, the Beyoncé mass is a portion of the “Speaking Truth: The Power of Story in Community” series. It will take place this evening at 6:30 p.m. at Grace Cathedral.
