(Vatican Radio) Japan’s “hidden Christians,” the Asian nation’s early Christian communities who kept the faith alive through centuries of persecution, can be an inspiration to today’s Catholics. That’s what Pope Francis told Japanese bishops in an audience Friday in the Vatican, encouraging them to be fathers who are always available to their priests and brothers…
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(Vatican Radio) The image of the Salus Populi Romani, the icon of Mary so dear to Pope Francis, will be centre stage during a great international vigil dedicated to life. This encounter, commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the Encyclical Evangelium vitae will take place at the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, on Tuesday, March 24th.
The event, prepared by the Pontifical Council for the Family, is intended particularly to give thanks for the fruit produced by the ministry of life (especially that of St. John Paul II), as well as raising awareness of the benefits of prayer for life and recalling eternal life, which is each person’s destiny.
The vigil will have three successive parts: it will begin at 5:00 pm, with the reception and salutation, followed by a moment of reflection on some artistic features of the Basilica connected with life. Then, at 6:00 pm, an original Holy Rosary will be recited, with a focus on the contemplation of Gospel passages related to the theme of life, interspersed with short testimonies. At 7:00 pm, Holy Mass will be celebrated by the President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, who says that “the anniversary of the Encyclical and this vigil commemorating it on the eve of the Annunciation are particularly significant, because they highlight the intimate connection between the mystery of life and the experience of the family, composed of suffering and sociability. Defending life means, then, participating in the alliance between God, man and woman.”
A Holy Rosary embracing the world
The vigil will be made even more complete and joyful by its international character. Indeed, in conjunction with the event in Rome, this important anniversary will also be celebrated in other parts of the world. In the sanctuaries of Fatima (6:30 pm), Lourdes and Guadalupe, the recitation of the Holy Rosary will be dedicated to life. Furthermore, in Nazareth, community prayer will anticipate the anniversary on March 21st.
The Vigil will be broadcast around the world. The Italian broadcaster Telepace will begin transmitting the vigil in Santa Maria Maggiore at 5:15 pm. British, French and Italian spectators will be able to take part in the prayer of the Holy Rosary at Lourdes, scheduled for 2:30 pm (local time) and transmitted by the leading American Catholic television networks; then, at 3:30 pm, by the French Catholic network KTO, and at 6:00 pm, in Italian, by TV2000.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) The image of the Salus Populi Romani, the icon of Mary so dear to Pope Francis, will be centre stage during a great international vigil dedicated to life. This encounter, commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the Encyclical Evangelium vitae will take place at the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, on…
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(Vatican Radio) The Vatican’s office for liturgical celebrations, headed by Archbishop Guido Marini on Friday released the full schedule of events that Pope Francis will be presiding over during Holy Week.
On Palm Sunday, March 29th, starting at 9.30am, the Pope will bless the palm and olive branches in St Peter’s Square before presiding at the celebration of Mass. Palm Sunday also marks the XXX World Youth Day with the theme taken from St Matthew’s Gospel ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God’
On Holy Thursday, April 2nd, starting at 9.30am in St Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis will preside at the celebration of the Chrism Mass, during which the oils to be used during the coming year will be blessed.
The following day, Good Friday, the Pope will preside at the celebration of Our Lord’s Passion in St Peter’s Basilica starting at 5pm. Later in the evening, beginning at 9.15pm, he will travel across Rome to lead the traditional Via Crucis or Way of the Cross at the Colosseum and impart his Apostolic Blessing before returning to the Vatican.
On Holy Saturday, April 4th, Pope Francis will preside at the Easter Vigil in St Peter’s Basilica beginning at 8.30pm. After blessing the new fire and the Easter candle in the atrium of the Basilica, the Pope will also administer the Sacrament of Baptism before concelebrating Mass with the other cardinals and bishops.
Finally on Easter morning, Sunday April 5th, beginning at 10.15, Pope Francis will preside at the Mass of Our Lord’s Resurrection in St Peter’s Square before giving his ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing (to the city of Rome and to the world) from the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) The Vatican’s office for liturgical celebrations, headed by Archbishop Guido Marini on Friday released the full schedule of events that Pope Francis will be presiding over during Holy Week. On Palm Sunday, March 29th, starting at 9.30am, the Pope will bless the palm and olive branches in St Peter’s Square before presiding at…
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