Plans revealed for beatification

Created on Saturday, 19 February 2011 09:04

The Vatican has revealed the five main events that will surround the beatification of Pope John Paul II this May, which it said promised to be "a great ecclesial event." A recent communiqué states that a vigil of preparation will take place on Saturday April 30th, from 8 pm to 10.30 pm in the Circus Maximus. The event will be organized by the diocese of Rome, and Cardinal Agostino Vallini, Benedict XVI's vicar for Rome, will preside. The Pope will follow the event through a video link.

The beatification Mass will begin Sunday May 1st at 10 am, and take place in St Peter's Square. Benedict XVI will preside at the Mass.

"Participation will not be regulated by individual tickets," the note added. "However, access to the Square and adjacent areas will be under the supervision of the Public Security."

After the beatification Mass, the remains of the new blessed will be exposed for veneration in St Peter's Basilica, before the Altar of the Confession. The Vatican note said that all the faithful will be given the opportunity to venerate the remains of the Pope, which will "continue until the flow of faithful is exhausted."

On Monday May 2nd, Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone, the secretary of state, will preside at a Mass of Thanksgiving in St Peter's Square at 10:30 a.m.

The Vatican stated that the remains of John Paul II will then be transferred to the Chapel of Saint Sebastian in St Peter's Basilica, and that the event will "take place privately."

As the event nears, the Vatican added, "the particulars of the different stages will be made known successively by the offices concerned".

If you are going to the beatification, we would love to hear from you! Perhaps you might like to write a report of your pilgrimage. Let us know in the communications office if you are interested.

Zenit News Agency (with adaptations)