The Holy See Press Room publishes Pope Francis’ schedule for Holy Week this year. The Lord’s Supper Mass on Holy Thursday will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re and the Good Friday meditations on the Via Sacra will be prepared and animated by a group of scouts, a Roman parish and other young people.
By Vatican News staff writer
As the time of Lent approaches Holy Week, the Vatican released on Tuesday the details of the Holy Week celebration program, chaired by Pope Francis. A note from the Master of the Pontifical Liturgical Ceremonies, Msgr. Guido Marini, indicates the following:
– On April 28, the Palm Sunday Mass is scheduled for 10:30 am at the Altar of the Chair of St. Peter’s Basilica;
– The Chrism Mass, Thursday, April 1, will take place at 10 am on the Altar of the Chair of St. Peter’s Basilica, and will be presided over by the Pope. Later that day, the Evening Mass for the Lord’s Supper will take place at 6 pm. It will be chaired by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals;
– On Good Friday, April 2, the celebration of the Lord’s Passion will begin at 6 pm at the Altar of the Chair. Then, the Via Sacra will take place at 9 pm in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican;
– The celebrations of the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday will take place at 7:30 pm in St. Peter’s Basilica. The Easter morning Mass will also be celebrated in the Basilica at 10 am on Easter Sunday, which will be followed by the traditional Urbi et Orbi Blessing at noon.
All of these events will take place with a limited presence of the faithful, in strict accordance with precautionary measures to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Good Friday Meditations Via Crucis
Pope Francis entrusted the preparation of the meditations for the Way of the Cross on Good Friday this year to the Scout Group Agesci “Foligno I” (Umbria) and to the Roman Parish of Santi Matiri di Uganda (Holy Martyrs of Uganda).
The images that will accompany the various stations will also be taken by children and young people from the Family House “Mater Divini Amoris” and from the Family House “Tetto Casal Fattoria”.
Simple but profound words
According to a statement from the Holy See Press Room on Tuesday, the meditations and images from Via Crucis will be prepared by children and adolescents aged 3 to 19 years.
The words are “simple and immediate”, said the Press Office, but “they are fully aware of the meaning of discrimination and humiliation, as well as justice and solidarity”.
“The words and the colors return the complexity of a world made up of small and large crosses, but also of trust and hope for the future”, notes the statement, “for those who witness the struggle of their parents, for those who do not have the strength to defend friends in difficulty, for those who fail school tests, for those who live in solitude in the midst of these Covid-19 pandemic times and for those who can see the face of Jesus abroad, among others ”.
Young authors
The Agesci Scout Group “Foligno I” is made up of 21 instructors and 145 boys and girls between 8 and 19 years old. With the help of their leaders, they reflected on the fourteen Stations and related them to their daily experiences. In line with its educational methods, “Foligno I” uses tools such as playing, living outdoors and serving others to contribute to the growth of children and young people.
The parish Santi Matiri dell’Uganda is located in the Ardeatino area of Rome. Your pastor, Fr. Luigi d’Errico is responsible for the pastoral care of people with disabilities in the diocese. The parish has the house “Rifugio per Agar” for abused women and children and the “Casa Betlemme” that serves street families in collaboration with the eight parishes of the XXII prefecture of the diocese of Rome.
About 500 children and youth from the catechism for First Communion and Confirmation helped to shape mediations. They even found themselves online sometimes due to restrictions imposed to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Family House “Mater Divini Amoris” in Rome is administered by the Congregation of the Daughters of Our Lady of Divine Love. The sisters welcome the guests in the spirit of the Marian apostolate and following the example of their founder, Father Umberto Terenzi. Currently, they care for children aged 3 to 8 years.
The Family House “Tetto Casal Fattoria” in Rome has been working to combat the adversities of young people and children since 1984. It offers assistance, support, professional and cultural training projects with the aim of accompanying children and young people in their growth.