"PROGRESS" BETWEEN CATHOLICS AND ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES

VATICAN CITY, JAN 28, 2003 (VIS) - Members of the Preparatory Committee charged with preparing the theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches were welcomed this morning in the Vatican by Pope John Paul.

The Pope extended greetings to the representatives of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, and to "my venerable Brothers, the heads of the Churches which you represent," saying he "recalled with gratitude the various opportunities I have had to meet them." He welcomed the Catholic members of the committee, "representing various communities from both East and West."

"Substantial ecumenical progress has already been made between the Catholic Church and the different Oriental Churches," affirmed the Holy Father. "Essential clarifications have been made with regard to traditional controversies about Christology, and this has enabled us to profess together the faith we hold in common. ... May your efforts to establish a Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue prove a major step forward towards full communion in truth and charity."

"Many of you come from the Middle East and surrounding countries," noted John Paul II. "Let us pray together that this region will be preserved from the threat of war and further violence. May our ecumenical endeavors always be directed to the building up of a 'civilization of love', founded on justice, reconciliation and peace."

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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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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JAN 28, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience five prelates from the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (Midwestern and Northern Regions II) on their "ad limina" visit:

- Archbishop Vicente Joaquim Zico, C.M., of Belem do Para, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Carlo Verzeletti.

- Bishop Jose da Silva Chaves of Uruacu.

- Bishop Manoel Pestana Filho of Anapolis.

- Bishop Jose Carlos de Oliveira, C.SS.R., of Rubiataba-Mozarlandia.

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LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS PRESIDED OVER BY POPE: FEBRUARY - APRIL

VATICAN CITY, JAN 28, 2003 (VIS) - The Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff has made public the calendar of celebrations that are scheduled to be presided over by the Holy Father from February 1 to April 27, 2003:

FEBRUARY

- Saturday, 1, Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Seventh Day of Consecrated Life. In the Vatican Basilica at 5:30 p.m. blessing of candles and procession; Mass with members of the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Society of Apostolic Life.

- Tuesday, 11, Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. In the Vatican Basilica at 4:30 p.m., Mass for the "Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi" and UNITALSI, presided in the name of the Holy Father by Cardinal Camillo Ruini. At the end of the celebration, the Holy Father will greet and bless the sick present in the basilica.

MARCH

- Wednesday, 5, Ash Wednesday. Mass and blessing and distribution of ashes in the Basilica of St. Sabina at 4:30 p.m.

- Friday, 7. Consistory for a number of causes of canonization in the Apostolic Palace at 11 a.m.

- Sunday, 9, First Sunday of Lent. In the Apostolic Palace, "Redemptoris Mater" Chapel at 6 p.m., beginning of spiritual exercises for the Roman Curia.

- Saturday, 15. At 9 a.m. in the "Redemptoris Mater" Chapel, conclusion of spiritual exercises.

- Sunday, 23, Third Sunday of Lent. At 9:30 a.m. in the Vatican Basilica, beatification of the following Servants of God: Pierre Bonhomme, Maria Dolores Rodriguez Sopena, Maria Caridad Brader, Juana Maria Condesa Lluch, Lazlo Batthyany-Strattman.

APRIL

- Sunday, 13, Palm Sunday; 18th World Youth Day. In St. Peter's Square at 10 a.m., blessing of the palms, procession and Mass.

- Thursday, 17, Holy Thursday. Chrism Mass in the Vatican Basilica at 9:30 a.m. At 5:30 p.m. in the Vatican Basilica the beginning of the Easter Triduum; Mass of the Last Supper.

- Friday, 18, Good Friday. Celebration of the Passion of Our Lord in the Vatican Basilica at 5 p.m. In the Colosseum at 9:15 p.m., the Way of the Cross.

- Saturday, 19, Holy Saturday. At 8 p.m. in the Vatican Basilica, Easter Vigil.

- Sunday, 20, Easter Sunday. Mass and "Urbi et Orbi" blessing at 10:30 a.m. in St. Peter's Square.

- Sunday, 27, Second Sunday of Easter. In St. Peter's Square at 10:30 a.m., beatification of the following Servants of God: Giacomo Alberione, Marco D'Aviano, Maria Cristina Brando, Eugenia Ravasco, Maria Domenica Mantovani, Guilia Salzano.

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