VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 26, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI will resume in December visits to parishes of the Diocese of Rome, as Pope John Paul II did until his health grew too frail.
This is one of the announcements that appear in the calendar of events that Benedict XVI will preside over from Oct. 2 to Dec. 31, 2005, published Saturday by the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff.
The calendar reveals that the Year of the Eucharist will close on Oct. 23, the same day that the Synod of Bishops will conclude.
The calendar also indicates that the Pope will preside at the most important Christmas liturgical celebrations, as John Paul II did.
On Oct. 23, for the first time in his pontificate, Benedict XVI will canonize five blessed, but he will delegate participation in the rites of beatification to various cardinals, according to the origin of the new blessed.
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October
— Sunday, 2: 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time. At 9.30 a.m. in the Vatican basilica, opening of the 11th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
— Saturday, 15: At 6 p.m. in St. Peter’s Square, meeting and moment of prayer with children receiving first Communion.
— Sunday, 23: 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time. At 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square, conclusion of the 11th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, and conclusion of the Year of the Eucharist. World Mission Day. Canonization of Blessed Jozef Bilczewski, Gaetano Catanoso, Zygmunt Gorazdowski, Alberto Hurtado Cruchaga and Felice da Nicosia.
Rites of Beatification Approved by the Holy Father
— Sunday, 9: 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time. At 10 a.m. in the Vatican basilica, beatification of Servant of God Cardinal Clemens August von Galen.
— Saturday, 29: At 5 p.m. in the Vatican basilica, beatification of Servants of God Josep Tapies and six companions martyrs, and María de los Ángeles Ginard Martí.
November
— Friday, 11: At 11.30 a.m. at the altar of the cathedra in the Vatican basilica, Mass for the repose of the souls of cardinals and bishops who died during the course of year.
— Saturday, 26: At 5 p.m. in the Vatican basilica, first vespers.
Rites of beatification approved by the Holy Father
— Sunday, 6: 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time. At 4 p.m. in the Cathedral of Vincenza, Italy, beatification of Servant of God Eurosia Fabris.
— Sunday, 13: 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. At 10 a.m. in the Vatican basilica, beatification of Servants of God Charles de Foucauld, Maria Pia Mastena, and Maria Crocifissa Curcio.
— Sunday, 20: 34th Sunday in Ordinary Time, solemnity of Christ the King. In the Cathedral of Guadalajara, Mexico, beatification of Servants of God Anacleto Gonzáles Flores and seven companions; Giuseppe Trinità Rancel; Andrea Solá Molist; Leonardo Pérez; Darío Acosta Zurita; and José Sánchez del Rio.
December
— Thursday, 8: solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. At 10 a.m. in the Vatican basilica, Mass for the 40th anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council. At 4 p.m. in Rome’s Piazza di Spagna, homage to Mary Immaculate.
— Sunday, 18: 4th Sunday of Advent. Pastoral visit to a Roman parish.
— Saturday, 24: vigil of the solemnity of the Birth of Our Lord. Midnight Mass in the Vatican basilica.
— Sunday, 25: solemnity of the Birth of Our Lord. At midday from the central loggia of the Vatican basilica, the blessing «urbi et orbi» (to the city of Rome and the world).
— Saturday, 31: At 6 p.m. in the Vatican basilica, first vespers of thanksgiving for the past year.
