Thanks to Lella
for this item.
POPE ADDS BRESCIA
TO PASTORAL VISITS
IN ITALY THIS YEAR
At the end of his Chrismal Mass homily today, the Bishop of Brescia (in northern Italy), Mons. Luciano Monaro, made this announcement (translated here) which also appears on the site of the Diocese of Brescia:
I am happy to be able to officially make an announcement that is cause for joy among our priests and for the entire church of Brescia.
The Pope will come to visit us on November 8. Of course, the immediate reason is the 30th anniversary of the death of Paul VI.
[A belated one, since the 30th anniversary was last year. on August 6.]
Papa Ratzinger, as you know, was crated a cardinal y Paul VI, and has always had great esteem and affection for our Brescian Pope.
The program will be defined by the Prefecture of the Papal Household and will be published in the next few weeks, but the significance of this visit is very clear. It will be a day of intense prayer and communion....
Earlier announced pastoral visits in Italy this year were to Cassino, San Giovanni Rotondo (Padre Pio shrine), and Viterbo-Bagnoregio - all of them fairly close to Rome. Brescia, on the other hand, is 60 miles east of Milan.
The Pope will also be making an unforeseen pastoral visit to L'Aquila probably next week because of the recent earthquake.
In its 4/10/09 issue
has a brief item that does give additional information:
Benedict XVI will visit Brescia on November 8 to inaugurate the new headequarters of the Istituto Paolo VI in Concesio.
The announcement of the visit was given by the Bishop of Brescia, Luciano Monari at teh Chrismal Mass yesterday, Maundy Thursday.
After inaugurating the center, Benwedict XVI will lead the midday Angelus and in the afternoon, will say Mass for the entire diocesan community.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 10/04/2009 02:52]