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Pope Francis visit to Romania May 31-June 2, 2109

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Pope Francis will visit Romania from May 31 through June 2, 2019. He will visit several sites in Romania.

Friday May 31:  After landing in Bucharest around noon on Friday May 31, he will have several meetings with dignitaries and then he will celebrate Mass in Saint Joseph Cathedral in Bucharest.

On Saturday June 1:   he visit the Marian shrine of Our Lady of Csiksomlyo in Sumuleu-Ciuc and then on to the “Saint Mary Queen” Cathedral in Iasi to celebrate Mass.

Sunday, June 2:  He will travel to Blaj to preside over the Beatification of the 7 Greek-Catholic martyrs.  The Greek-Catholic Church is in communion with Rome and suffered persecution under the communists when their churches were forcibly merged with the Orthodox Church.  Those who resisted were sent to concentration camps to die, including these seven bishops.

 

 

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Pope Francis invited to visit the United Arab Emirates

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On June 5, 2018 Pope Francis received Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the U.A.E., who was on an official visit to the State of Vatican City, during which he handed over a message from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, inviting Pope Francis to visit the UAE.and was invited to pay a visit to the United Arab Emirates

Dates for this visit are February 3-5, 2019.

The U.A.E., a federal union made up of seven states,  has about 10% Catholic population (mostly foreign workers), established full diplomatic relations with the Vatican in 2007.

There are several major Catholic churches in the U.A.E.

Source:  IPS News

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Mass at the Airport?

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Oops…what about Mass?

I’ve found that when I try to arrange my travel plans, the actual day of departure can depend on factors outside my control!  And I don’t like being out of control.   For instance, If a tour I really want to join starts and ends on a specific day, I  have little choice about when I leave.   Or  a business trip, is another instance where I have little wiggle room.  Leisurely traveling on my own?  Depends on the airline, my schedule and a lot of things I just can’t control.

Then, as my travel date gets closer and I realize that I’ll be traveling over a Saturday night, and my flight leaves too early for a Vigil Mass,  it hits me that I may not be able to attend Sunday Mass at all.   Have you ever had the pleasure of trying to find a Catholic Church after getting off the plane in a foreign country with serious jet lag?   I have and I wouldn’t recommend it.

St. George's Chapel, Heathrow, London
St. George’s Chapel, Heathrow, London

So maybe I can help you out.  It took me a while, but I discovered that there are actually chapels at many airports where you can attend Sunday Mass (or even daily Mass at some airports).  You might be able to catch one before departure or possibly upon arrival in your next city….or even between flights.  I once landed in Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport at 9:00 a.m., attended an 11:00 am. Mass in the airport chapel, and then caught my next flight at 1:00 p.m.

We have just added a page to our website detailing various airport chapels around the world.  Although most of these chapels are non-denominational, they do offer a Catholic Mass on many occasions.

If you are  in a pilgrimage group traveling with a priest, you can usually make arrangements to say your own private Mass in the airport chapel regardless of your day of arrival.

Can’t make Sunday Mass due to travel?  

This is what I’ve been told by a priest friend of mine:  “If you absolutely cannot find a Mass due to traveling, then you are relieved of your Sunday obligation.  But I suggest you attend Mass as soon as possible and offer that Mass up as your Sunday Mass”

 

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Marian Day Events in Rome October 12th & 13th

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Sunday October 13, 2013 is a day that will see Pope Francis consecrate the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary as part of the Marian Day celebrations. The original statue of Our Lady of Fatima left Fatima, Portugal on the morning of October 12th and is now in Rome. Various churches were open this morning for Confession and Adoration.  At noon Saint Peter’s Square was cleared of people prior to the arrival of the statue.  At 15:00 the entrance gates will be opened for those who have tickets and then at 17:00 there will be a reception of the original statue of Our Lady of Fatima and a Marian catechesis will be given by Pope Francis.  

The Sanctuary of Divine Love in Rome
The Sanctuary of Divine Love

After that the statue will be transferred to the Sanctuary of Divino Amore for all-night veneration. We expect there to be fairly large crowds here throughout the night.

There will be many Marian groups in attendance on Sunday, including representatives from the following shrines:

Aparecida, Brazil;   Lujan, Argentina;  Lourdes, France;  Czestochowa, Poland;  Banneux, Belgium;   Nazareth, Israel;    Nairobi, Kenya;   Akita, Japan;   Vailankanny, India; and Washington, D.C.

Also in attendance will be a delegation from Medjugorje, including the pastor and other villagers, who were invited to participate. Medjugorje has not been given shrine status, but is currently under investigation and a ruling is expected fairly soon. 

Then on Sunday at 10:30 Pope Francis will preside at Mass and make the Act of Entrustment to Mary.  This is when he will consecrate the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  It was the request of Our Lady of Fatima that Russia be consecrated to her immaculate heart.  

There has been some heated debate as to whether this was ever done, although Sister Lucia supposedly said that the consecration was accepted.

The events will be televised on EWTN; Salt+Light TV; Vatican TV and others. They will also be time-delayed so that you can watch them during the daytime wherever you live.