On the eve of the anniversary of his election to the See of Peter, this Sunday, March 12, 2017, the Pope will go to the parish of Saint Magdalene of Canossa, in a suburb north of Rome — the Ottavia Suburb –, confirmed to ZENIT a source of the parish, reached by telephone on March 7. The church was built between the years 1992-1997.
This morning, March 8, the Vatican made this official when publishing a statement announcing the Sunday visit and its program.
This will be the Holy Father’s third visit to a parish of his diocese, and the 14th of his pontificate, after two visits in the eastern suburb of the city at Santa Maria Setteville, at Setteville di Guidonia on January 15, 2017, and at Saint Mary Josefa of the Heart of Jesus at Castelverde di Lunghezza on February 19, 2017.
The Pope will be received by the parish priest, Father Giorgio Spinello (F.d.C.C._ of the Community of Sons of Charity founded by Saint Mary Magdalene of Canossa (1774-1835).
Usually, in a parish of his diocese, the Pontiff meets notably with young people and takes time to administer the Sacrament of Reconciliation to several persons of the parish. He will arrive around 3:30 pm to celebrate Mass at 6:00 pm: a Mass can be watched via live streaming on the Vatican’s YouTube channel.
The Pope will prepare to cross the threshold of a new year of pontificate on March 13, having finished his annual Lenten Retreat on Friday, March 10 at Ariccia.
The media talked about the parish a little more than a year ago after the theft, on January 12, 2016, of the relics of the Patron Saint of the parish, Saint Magdalene of Canossa, foundress of the Canossian Daughters (the Community of Saint Bakhita), and of the Canossian Sons. The relics were recovered by the police quite soon and sent to the parish priest.
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On the NET:
To watch the Pope’s visit live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUZ86lXwltw
