April 6, 2011. (Romereports.com) The beatification of John Paul II is now less than one month away and the Vatican has released the final details for the event.
On April 29, the Vatican Grottoes will be closed for the transfer of John Paul II's remains. The coffin will remain closed and placed in front of St. Peter's tomb until the beatification day. The transfer will take place behind closed doors.
Card. Agostino Vallini
Vicar General of the Diocese of Rome“I think the personality of John Paul II is a message realized of full humanity and that through his image, believers and nonbelievers may find a reference point in him. To see him as a friendly man from whom we can all learn something.”
On April 30 there will be a prayer vigil for pilgrims in Rome's Circus Maximus. It will include testimony from those who were close to John Paul II, such as his secretary, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, former Vatican spokesman, Joaquin Navarro-Valls and Sister Marie Simon Pierre, the French nun who was cured of Parkinson's through the intercession of John Paul II.
Afterwards, the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary will be prayed, which was introduced by John Paul II in 2002. It's meant to be in connection with the sanctuaries visited by the former pope, such as in Krakow, Tanzania, Lebanon, Guadalupe in Mexico and Fatima in Portugal. Benedict XVI will be present from the Vatican through a video message giving the blessing.
Msgr. Marco Frisina
Director of the Liturgy Office of the Diocese of Rome“One of the main purposes of the vigil is to celebrate in Rome but in union with the entire world, accompanied by the icon of the Virgin Mary, and Salus Populi Romani, the most important of Rome.”
Following the prayer vigil, eight churches in Rome will be open all night for the exposition of the Eucharistic Adoration, as a preparation for the beatification.
The diocese of Rome has around 500 volunteers who will hand out water bottles and food for the pilgrims.
On May 1 during the Sunday of the Divine Mercy, St. Peter's Square will open at 5 am until it is filled at capacity. At 9 am, an hour before the beatification ceremony, the Litany of Divine Mercy will be prayed, in the tradition of Sister Faustina Kowalska, to whom John Paul II was very devoted.
Msgr. Marco Frisina
Director of the Liturgy Office of the Diocese of Rome“I would like to underline the importance of this preparation time for the beatification on May 1. Because it serves to create not only the atmosphere of a festival, but also a moment of true prayer.”
After the beatification, the tapestry will be unveiled, hanging from the facade of St. Peter's Basilica, with the image of John Paul II.
Benedict XVI will then celebrate Mass with the cardinals. Fourteen giant screens will be placed in St Peter's Square and along the via della Conciliazione with 800 priests standing in communion throughout the crowds.
It's also been confirmed that the King and Queen of Belgium will be in attendance as well as the President of Poland, the birthplace of John Paul II.
The pope and the college of cardinals will be the first to venerate the remains of the new blessed in it's new location on the altar of confession in St. Peter's Basilica, which will then be opened to the flow of pilgrims.
On Monday May 2, the Mass celebrating the beatification of John Paul II will be held in St. Peter's Square in an act of giving thanks. The Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, will preside over the event.
Msgr. Marco Frisina
Director of the Liturgy Office of the Diocese of Rome“The thanks giving Mass on May 2 will be different from any other. This will be the first time a mass is celebrated for this new Blessed, the first time that people pray for the Blessed John Paul II.”
According to the Vatican organization in charge of receiving pilgrims, there is still hotel availability for the dates of the beatification and invites pilgrims from around the world to come to Rome and attend the event they have assured will be an historic one.
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