LITURGICAL CELEBRATION: AN EXPERIENCE OF GRACE AND SALVATION

VATICAN CITY, AUG 24, 2000 (VIS) - Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano has written a letter to Bishop Luca Brandolini C.M., of Sora-Aquino-Pontecorvo, Italy, president of the Center for Liturgical Action. The letter is to mark the 51st National Liturgical Week which comes to a close tomorrow and has been considering the theme, "The Word made flesh. Celebration and salvation."

In the face of "a decline in interest in liturgical education," writes Cardinal Sodano, "there is an impelling obligation for greater commitment at all levels, in order to help our communities better understand the rich contents of that characteristic expression of Christian liturgical prayer that is 'for Christ.' Therein lies a clear testimony of Christ's mediation as well as a sense of celebration and salvation granted."

"His Holiness hopes," continues the cardinal, "that the Liturgical Week may further contribute to the formation of the faithful who participate in Eucharistic assemblies on Sundays and feast days. Each celebration should constitute an encounter with Christ's saving ministry and, consequently, be an experience of grace and salvation. ... This entails progressive education in the language of celebration - so immediate but also so complex - in all its various aspects: song, word, silence."

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JUBILEE CELEBRATION IN THE ITALIAN MONASTERY OF GROTTAFERRATA

VATICAN CITY, 24 AUG, 2000 (VIS) - Made public today was a letter from the Holy Father addressed to Cardinal Achille Silvestrini, prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. The letter, written in Latin and dated August 10, names the Cardinal as the Pope's special envoy to the solemn Jubilee celebration for the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The event is due to take place on September 7 in the monastery of Santa Maria of Grottaferrata, Italy.

Also made public was another letter from the Holy Father, written in Latin and bearing the date of August 10, to Archimandrite Emiliano Fabbricatore, "egumeno" (superior) and ordinary exarch of the monastery of Santa Maria of Grottaferrata.

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