COMMUNIQUE ON PIUS V RITE MASS IN ST.MARY MAJOR BASILICA

VATICAN CITY, MAY 19, 2003 (VIS) - The following communique was released this morning by the "Ecclesia Dei" Pontifical Commission concerning the celebration of Mass on May 24 in St. Mary Major Basilica:

"Many faithful from diverse countries, who take advantage of the 'Ecclesia Dei' indult for the celebration of Mass according to the so-called St. Pius V rite, wish to honor the Holy Father on the approaching 25th anniversary of his election as Supreme Pontiff, and within the context of the Year of the Rosary.

"These faithful wish to express an act of devotion to His Holiness on Saturday, May 24, in the Liberian Basilica of St. Mary Major by reciting the Rosary and by celebrating Mass according to the ancient liturgical rite to which they feel strong bonds.

"They also wish to thank the Holy Father John Paul II for the Motu proprio 'Ecclesia Dei' (July 2, 1988) in which, among otherthings, he affirmed that "respect must be shown for the feelings of all those who are attached to the Latin liturgical tradition, by a wide and generous application of the directives already issued some time ago by the Apostolic See for the use of the Roman Missal according to the typical edition of 1962'.

"The program for May 24 has scheduled the recitation of the Rosary at 3:30 p.m. after which Mass will be celebrated, in the above-mentioned rite, by Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, president of the Pontifical Commission 'Ecclesia Dei'.

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