VATICAN CITY, APRIL 7, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Archbishop Pietro Marini, master of liturgical celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, published the program for the nine days of official mourning for John Paul II.
«According to an ancient custom, for nine consecutive days there are special Eucharistic celebrations for the repose of the soul of the deceased Roman Pontiff, starting with the funeral Mass, which is determined by the congregation of cardinals,» explained the prelate, clarifying the meaning of these days called «novendiali.»
«Each day the celebration is open to everyone,» the archbishop said. «It is, however, entrusted each day to a different group, taking into account that group’s links with the Roman Pontiff. This variety of the congregation shows in a certain way both the milieu of the Supreme Pastor as well as the universality of the Church of Rome.»
«The funeral Mass for the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II will take place on April 8 at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square,» he said, «whereas in the Vatican basilica, from the 9th to the 16th of April, the ‘novendiali’ celebrations for the repose of the soul of the deceased Pope, will continue in the following manner.» He listed:
Day 1: Funeral Mass
Day 2: Saturday, at 5 p.m. For the faithful of Vatican City: The concelebration will be presided over by Cardinal Francesco Marchisano, archpriest of the patriarchal Vatican basilica.
Day 3: Sunday, 5 p.m. For the Church of Rome. Mass presided over by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, vicar general for the Diocese of Rome, and concelebrated by the clergy of Rome.
Day 4: Monday, April 11, 5 p.m. For the chapters of the patriarchal basilicas. The concelebration will be presided by Cardinal Bernard Law, retired archbishop of Boston and archpriest of the patriarchal Basilica of St. Mary Major.
Day 5: Tuesday, April 12, 5 p.m. Cappella Papale. Mass to be presided over by Cardinal Eugênio de Araújo Sales, retired archbishop of Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro, proto-priest of the College of Cardinals.
Day 6: Wednesday, April 13, 5 p.m. For the Roman Curia. Concelebration will be presided over by Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, substitute for General Affairs of the Vatican Secretariat of State.
Day 7: Thursday, April 14, 5 p.m. For the Eastern Churches. Divine Liturgy in the Eastern Rite to be presided over by Cardinal Pierre Nasrallah Sfeir, patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites.
Day 8: Friday, April 15, 5 p.m. For members of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Mass presided over by Archbishop Piergiorgio Silvano Nesti, secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
Day 9: Saturday, April 16, Cappella Papale. The concelebration will be presided by Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estévez, retired prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, proto-deacon of the College of Cardinals.
All cardinals are invited to concelebrate in the Cappelle Papali on April 8, 12 and 16.
