Cardinals Gather In St. Peters to Pray for the Church

This afternoon, on the occasion of the General Congregations proceeding the Conclave, the College of Cardinals gathered to pray for the Church at St. Peter’s Basilica.

The proposal to celebrate the liturgy was unanimously accepted by the College of Cardinals during yesterday’s General Congregations.

The celebration, which took place at the Altar of the Cathedra, began with the recitation of the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary in Italian and Latin. Following the Rosary there was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and a brief time for Adoration.

The rosary and Adoration was followed by the recitation of Vespers (the Church's evening prayer) which was presided over by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica. The rite concluded with Eucharistic Benediction offered by Cardinal Comastri.

To accommodate the liturgy, the regularly scheduled mass at the Altar of the Cathedrawas moved to another altar in St. Peter's Basilica.

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On the NET:

The prayer booklet for the celebration can be found online at the website of the Office for Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff:

http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/index.it.htm.