05 april, 2011
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Next May 1, Benedict XVI presides, at the Vatican, over the beatification of his predecessor, John Paul II. The Shrine of Fatima gladly joins several celebrations and initiatives that are being prepared, some of them reaching the world at large.
April 30 – Shrine of Fatima holds a worldwide prayer vigil Five places in the world will be joined through television On the night of April 30, starting at 19h00 (Lisbon time), the Vicariate of Rome promotes a worldwide prayer vigil, thus uniting several places in the world. Titled “Totus Tuus – Prayer Vigil in preparation for the beatification of John Paul II”, this initiative will have a strong impact, since it will unite five different places through television: - Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico; - Shrine of Kawekamo, Tanzania; - Shrine of Fatima, Portugal; - Krakow, Poland; - Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon, Beirut. In each one of these cities, a mystery of the Rosary will be recited, broadcast live to the whole world by Vatican Television Center. In Rome, Agostino Cardinal Vallini, Vicar of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome, will preside over the Vigil at Circo Massimo. The Shrine of Fatima accepted with joy the invitation to join this Prayer Vigil, for it will be one more moment to recall and pay homage to John Paul II. The Little Chapel of Apparitions was chosen as the site for the connection with Fatima. From here it will be possible to follow, through television screens installed for the occasion, the entire recitation of the Rosary. The Most Rev. August César, Bishop Emeritus of Portalegre-Castelo Branco will preside over the Vigil here at Fatima. May 1 – Beatification of John Paul II, at the Vatican Fatima will live the beatification of John Paul II in spiritual union with Rome. In Portugal, although the great national celebration of thanksgiving for the beatification of John Paul II is scheduled for May 13, at Fatima, the Shrine intends to live the day itself of the beatification – May 1 – in an atmosphere of festive mood and thanksgiving. The Shrine will recall the Pope who, “a pilgrim amongst pilgrims”, was here three times and who, in the words of the Rector of the Shrine, gave to the Message of Fatima “an ecclesial and universal dimension”. Therefore, this place will put on a festive air in order “to thank God for the gift of John Paul II to the Church and to mankind”, in the words of Fr. Virgílio Antunes. May 1 – Concert in memory of John Paul II On May 1, day when John Paul II will be beatified, at the Vatican, by Benedict XVI, the Shrine of Fatima plans to have a concert in memory of this Pope who three times peregrinated to Fatima. It is to be performed in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, starting at 16h00. Groups participating are: Grupo Coral AdesbaChorus (Barreira, Leiria) and a string orchestra. At the organ: João Santos; at the drums: Tiago Cordeiro. All under the direction of Jorge Narciso and Rita Pereira. “Totus Tuus” – The Concert will conclude with the hymn “Totus Tuus Maria” of A. Cartageno, since this was the motto of John Paul II and the hymn of one of his three pilgrimages to Fatima. |
