Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Mexico City (Agenzia Fides) – Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, Archbishop of Mexico City, has declared a Jubilee Year from May 1, 2009 to May 1, 2010, for the 300th anniversary of the Old Basilica of Guadalupe. This was the first chapel built in honor of the Virgin Mary under this advocation and has been restored in recent years, thanks to support from society, government organizations on both a national and local level, and by the Church herself. The Baroque-style church, which reopened its doors in 2000, after being closed for 24 years.
The Rector of the Basilica, Fr. Pedro Agustin Rivera Diaz, announced that there will be a full program of religious and cultural events to take place in honor of the 300th anniversary of the chapel built in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Mexican capital. These 300 years will be celebrated @with a month of cultural and liturgical events from April 18 to May 17.
Liliana Alatorre, events coordinator for the celebration, said that in organizing the events, there has been “a great participation from the various sectors of our population, including Church groups and movements,” to whom she expressed her gratitude.
The program from April 18 to May 17 includes 9 conferences, 9 concerts, a poetry and music festival, a play, and two musical debuts: the “Jubilee Hymn” and the “Missa Tricentesimum Anno” written by Composer Manuel Rosillo, which will take place inside the church. It was also announced that there will be various artists performing in the Basilica area. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 17/4/2009)
