POPE TO PRESIDE MASS ON FEAST OF PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD

VATICAN CITY, JAN 28, 2003 (VIS) - Pope John Paul II will preside at the celebration of Mass on the feast of the Presentation of Our Lord - the Seventh Day of Consecrated Life - on February 1 at 5:30 p.m. in St. Peter's Basilica, according to a communique released today by the Office of the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff.

The Pope will preside at the blessing of the candles, the initial procession and the Liturgy of the Word. He will deliver a homily, lead the thanksgiving to the Lord for the gift of consecrated life and impart the final blessing.

Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo, prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life will celebrate the Eucharistic liturgy. The secretary, under-secretary and bureau chiefs of the congregation will concelebrate, as will priests who are members of the board of directors of the Union of Superiors General.

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