SCHEDULE FOR NOVENDIALI, NINE DAYS OF MOURNING FOR POPE

VATICAN CITY, APR 7, 2005 (VIS) - Archbishop Piero Marini, master of the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, has published a note on the "novendiali" or period of nine days of official mourning for the late Pope John Paul II, explaining the background and indicating the dates, times and  principal celebrants of each of the nine Masses.

  The communique states that "according to an ancient custom, for nine consecutive days there are special Eucharistic celebrations for the repose of the soul of the deceased Roman Pontiff, starting with the funeral Mass which is determined by the Congregation of Cardinals (cf. Universi Dominici gregis, n. 13 and 27)."

  "Each day the celebration is open to everyone. It is, however, entrusted each day to a different group, taking into account that group's links with the Roman Pontiff. This variety of the congregation shows in a certain way both the milieu of the Supreme Pastor as well as the universality of the Church of Rome (Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontifici, n. 133)."

  "The funeral Mass for the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II will take place April 8 at 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Square whereas in the Vatican Basilica, from the 9th to the 16th of  April, the novendiali celebrations for the repose of the soul of the deceased Pope, will continue in the following manner:

Day 1: Funeral Mass

Day 2: Saturday, April 9, at 5 p.m.: For the faithful of Vatican City: The concelebration will be presided over by Cardinal Francesco Marchisano, archpriest of the Patriarchal Vatican Basilica.

Day 3: Sunday, April 10, 5 p.m. For the Church of Rome. Mass presided over by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, vicar general for the diocese of Rome, and concelebrated by the clergy of Rome.

Day 4: Monday, April 11, 5 p.m. For the Chapters of the Patriarchal Basilicas. The concelebration will be presided by Cardinal Bernard Francis Law, archbishop emeritus of Boston and archpriest of the Patriarchal Basilica of St Mary Major.

Day 5: Tuesday, April 12, 5 p.m. Cappella Papale. Mass to be presided over by Cardinal Eugenio de Araujo Sales, archbishop emeritus of Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro, proto-priest of the College of Cardinals.

Day 6: Wednesday, April 13, 5 p.m. For the Roman Curia. Concelebration will be presided over by Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State.

Day 7: Thursday, April 14, 5 p.m. For the Oriental Churches. Divine Liturgy in the Oriental Rite to be presided over by His Beatitude  Nasrallah Pierre Sfeir, patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites.

Day 8: Friday, April 15, 5 p.m. For members of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Mass presided over by Archbishop Piergiorgio Silvano Nesti, emeritus of Camerino-San Severino Marche, secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

Day 9: Saturday, April 16, Cappella Papale. The concelebration will be presided by Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estevez, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, proto-deacon of the College of Cardinals.

  All cardinals are invited to concelebrate in the Cappelle Papali on April 8, 12 and 16."
OCL/NOVENDIALI/MARINI                    VIS 20050407 (530)