The Holy See’s press office is launching Pope Francis’ Holy Week program this year. The Liturgy of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, and the meditations of the Way of the Cross on Good Friday will be prepared and animated by a group of scouts, a Roman parish and other young people.
By Vatican News writer
As Lent season approaches Holy Week, the Vatican released details on Tuesday of the Holy Week holiday program that will be presided over by Pope Francis. A note from the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Ceremonies, Mons. Guido Marini, indicates the following:
– On April 28, the Sunday Mass of Flowers is scheduled for 10:30 at the Altar of the Throne in St. Peter’s Basilica;
– The Liturgy of Christ, on Thursday, April 1, will take place at 10:00 at the Altar of the Throne in St. Peter’s Basilica and will be presided over by the Pope. Later that day, the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper will be held at 6:00 p.m. It will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals;
– Good Friday, April 2, the feast of the Passion of the Lord will begin at 18:00 at the Chair Altar. Afterwards, the Way of the Cross will take place at 21:00 in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican;
– The Easter Vigil celebrations on Holy Saturday will take place at 19:30 in St. Peter’s Basilica. The Easter Mass in the morning will be celebrated in the Basilica, at 10:00 on Easter Sunday, which will be followed by the traditional blessing Urbi and Orbi at noon.
All these events will take place with the limited presence of believers, in strict accordance with precautionary measures to reduce the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Meditations for Good Friday Way of the Cross
Pope Francis has entrusted the preparation of meditations for the Way of the Cross on Good Friday this year to the Scout Group Agesci “Foligno I” (Umbria) and the Roman Parish of Santi Matiri in Uganda (The Holy Martyrs of Uganda).
The images that will accompany the various Stations will be made by children and young people from the Family House “Mater Divini Amoris” and the Family House “Tetto Casal Fattoria”.
Simple but profound words
In a statement from the Holy See Press Office on Tuesday, he noted that the meditations and images for the Via Crucis will be prepared by children and adolescents between the ages of 3 and 19.
The words are “simple and immediate,” the press office said, but they are “fully aware of the significance of discrimination and humiliation, as well as justice and solidarity.”
“Words and colors convey the complexity of a world of small and large crosses, but also of confidence and hope for the future,” the statement said, “for those who are witnessing their parents fighting, for those without power to defend themselves. friends in difficulty, for those who fail school tests, for those who experience loneliness in these times of the Covid-19 pandemic, and those who are able to see the face of Jesus abroad, among others. “
Young authors
The Agesci Scout Group “Foligno I” consists of 21 instructors and 145 boys and girls between 8 and 19 years. With the help of their leaders, they reflected on the fourteen stations and reported them on their daily experiences. According to their educational methods, “Foligno I” uses tools such as play, outdoor life and service to others to help raise children and young people.
The parish of Santi Matiri dell’Uganda is located in the Ardeatino area of Rome. His pastor, Fr. Luigi d’Errico, is responsible for pastoral care for people with disabilities in the diocese. The parish has the house “Rifugio per Agar” for women and children victims of abuse and “Casa Betlemme”, which serves to accommodate homeless families in collaboration with the eight parishes of the XXII prefecture of the diocese of Rome.
About 500 children and young people from the catechism for the First Holy Communion and Confirmation helped to shape the mediations. They met even online, sometimes due to restrictions imposed to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The House of the “Mater Divini Amoris” Family in Rome is administered by the Congregation of the Daughters of the Mother of God of Divine Love. The religious sisters greet the guests in the spirit of the Marian apostolate and following the example of their founder, Don Umberto Terenzi. Currently, they take care of children aged between 3 and 8 years.
The “Tetto Casal Fattoria” Family House in Rome has been working to combat the difficulties faced by young people and children since 1984. It offers assistance, support, vocational and cultural projects in order to accompany children and young people in their upbringing.