MEXICO CITY, APRIL 30, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Thousands of youth are gathered at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico where they are participating in today’s vigil for the beatification of John Paul II.
The luminous mysteries — those added to the rosary by the Polish Pontiff — will be prayed in Rome with video links to four Marian shrines in addition to Guadalupe: in Krakow, Tanzania, Lebanon and Fatima.
At the sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the intention is for hope and peace among nations.
The prayer vigil will continue in Mexico today with a blessing of the John Paul II plaza and the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the Holy Father’s five visits to the North American nation. The ceremony will also include the exposition of various relics, including a scapular and rosary and one of the popemobiles.
At 9 p.m. local time, youth will begin the all-night vigil that will culminate with the beatification ceremony, to be broadcast live in the basilica at 3 a.m. (10 a.m., Rome time).
Sunday at noon, the apostolic nuncio in Mexico, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, will celebrate a Mass in thanksgiving for the Pope’s beatification.
At an event earlier this month, Archbishop Pierre recalled the Polish Pontiff’s words as he left Mexico at the end of his fifth and final visit (during which he had canonized the visionary of Guadalupe, St. Juan Diego): «I’m going but I’m not going. I’m going but I won’t be absent, because although I’m going, in my heart I am staying!»
The bells of Mexico City’s churches will ring at noon for the first four Sundays of May in honor of Blessed John Paul II.
