Annunciation Church Undergoes Purification After Minneapolis Shooting

Following the tragic mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis that killed two children and injured 18 others, the church must undergo a formal purification ceremony known as the Rite of Reparation of a Church Profaned before Mass can be held again inside the building. This ritual, mandated by Catholic canon law, involves prayers, anointings with chrism, holy water, and incense to reconsecrate the sacred space and drive out the presence of evil caused by the desecration. Archbishop Bernard Hebda will oversee the reconsecration, which aims to provide healing and restore the church's holiness, though the timing of the ceremony has not yet been announced. Meanwhile, Masses have resumed in the adjoining school auditorium, with services livestreamed to accommodate parishioners while the church remains a crime scene and undergoes restoration. The purification process is required for any grave violation of a sacred place, including acts of violence, and involves stripping the altar and removing adornments before the ritual. This procedure reflects the church’s longstanding tradition to address serious offenses against the dignity of the person and society, ensuring the space is sanctified before worship resumes.