Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Arequipa (Fides Service) - The Peruvian diocese of Arequipa has organised a series of cultural and religious events to help people rediscover the authentic meaning of Christmas. Hundreds of people take part in the daily Christmas Novena prayers in the cathedral, adoration of the Eucharist and celebration of Mass. The Mass is animated by a lay group on a different theme each day: “a place for Jesus”; “Mary, mamma of Jesus”; “Joseph daddy of Jesus in the eyes of men”; “forgiveness”; “the animals in the Nativity Scene celebrate the birth of Jesus”; “The star represents the whole world which celebrates the birth of Jesus”; “the prayer of the shepherds: Infant Jesus prefers the humble”; “Jesus the new born babe of Bethlehem”. The themes were chosen to foster reflection on the authentic significance of Christmas and therefore help rediscover its real meaning.
At Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo Auditorium there is an exhibition of Nativity Scenes. Thursday 22 December a life size Nativity Scene will be unveiled in the cathedral accompanied by traditional Christmas carols to welcome the Christ Child by the city choir. Midnight Mass will be presided by Archbishop José Paulino Ríos Reynoso archbishop of Arequipa who said in his Christmas message that Christmas is a time to be, to love and to forgive: “This opportunity comes as a gift to humanity from the Father in his Son Jesus. It is an opportunity to be reborn in Jesus as God’s gift to others. This is the new world which we owe to children and young people…”. (RZ) (Agenzia Fides 21/12/2005, righe 19, parole 285)
