Vatican City, Jan 26, 2004 / 22:00 pm
Pope John Paul II will preside at a Mass on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord on Monday, February 2, coinciding with the 8th Day of Consecrated Life.
The Pope will preside at the liturgy of the Word, will bless the candles and participate in the initial procession and, after delivering the homily, will lead prayers of thanksgiving to God for the gift of consecrated life. At the end of the Mass, he will impart the apostolic blessing.
Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo, Prefect of the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic life, will celebrate the Eucharist.
In a Vatican tradition, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord marks the end of the Christmas season, thus, the removal of the Nativity of St. Peter’s Square.