Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Paris (Agenzia Fides) – The French capital city is placing the finishing touches on preparations for the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI, scheduled to arrive September 12 at 11am at the Orly Airport. There to receive him will be President Nicolas Sarkozy, accompanied by his entourage. The Pope’s visit will be divided into two stages: first Paris, then Lourdes, for the 150th anniversary of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. They will be four intense days: September 12-15.
Excitement is growing among the local people, for the first visit of Pope Benedict to France. The Archdiocese of Paris has made all kinds of preparations for the event. All over the city, the colors of the Vatican (yellow and white) are seen, announcing the upcoming arrival of the Pontiff and welcoming him. At the “Esplanade des Invalides,” the open area where the Pope is scheduled to say Mass on the 13th, the last-minute preparations are underway. On the evening of the 12th, there will be an especially significant event: after the Vespers in the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Pontiff will hold an encounter with a group of 10,000 youth, delivering a Message to them as they begin the Prayer Vigil. The Vigil will continue on in Notre Dame and in other churches. The youth will then take part in a concert, followed by silence and prayer.
Ten churches near the Notre Dame Cathedral and the “Esplanade des Invalides” will remain open during the prayer vigil, which will include songs, reflections, and prayer and will be led by the youth themselves. Various themes have been chosen, among them are prayers to the Blessed Mother and invoking the Holy Spirit, as it was the focus of the recent World Youth Day (WYD) in Sydney, which was attended by 4,000 French young people. At the end of the prayer vigil, the participants will meet once more in front of Notre Dame Cathedral, for a concluding prayer presided by the Archbishop of Paris, Cardinal André Vingt-Trois.
At midnight, the faithful will participate in a “way of light” procession, at the “Esplanade des Invalides.” Here, the youth who so desire, may remain to sleep the night, in preparation for the Mass to be held the following day. A huge wooden platform has been set up near the Hotel “des Invalides,” with a large open area in front, which is expected to be filled by tens of thousands of faithful.
There is also great anticipation for the Holy Father’s address on September 12, on the relationship between the Christian faith and the modern world, to be given to representatives from the world of culture in France at the “Collège des Bernardins.” (Mtp) (Agenzia Fides 11/9/2008)
