THE CURIA'S SPIRITUAL RETREAT BEGINS MARCH 12

VATICAN CITY, MAR 9, 2000 (VIS) - At 6 p.m. on March 12, the first Sunday of Lent, the Roman Curia's annual spiritual exercises will begin in the "Redemptoris Mater" Chapel in the Vatican, in the presence of the Holy Father. That evening there will be vespers, an introduction to the retreat and then Eucharistic adoration and benediction.

According to a communique published today by the Prefecture of the Papal Household, Archbishop Francois-Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, will be the retreat master, and the theme of the daily meditations will be "Witnesses of Hope."

The daily program from Monday, March 13 to Friday, March 17 is as follows: 9 a.m., recitation of Lauds and meditation; 10:15 a.m., recitation of the Middle Hour (Terce) and meditation; 5 p.m., vespers and meditation; 6:15 p.m., meditation, recitation of the rosary and Eucharistic adoration and benediction. The spiritual exercises will finish on the morning of Saturday March 18.

During this period all audiences, including the general audience of Wednesday March 15, will be suspended.

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