The Christmas period will, as always, be a very busy time for the
Pope: he will begin with a midnight Mass on Christmas Eve and will
finish with the Epiphany celebrations on 6 January 2013. On this day he will also be conferring some Episcopal ordinations on bishops, including in all likelihood, his personal secretary, Mgr. Georg Gänswein.
THE CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Benedict XVI will celebrate Christmas Eve Mass in the Solemnity of the Lord's Birth.
The Eucharistic Celebration will be preceded by a prayer session in the Office of Reading and the singing of the Kalenda, starting at 21:00.
Tuesday 25 December 2012
SOLEMNITY OF THE LORD’S BIRTH
Central loggia of the Vatican Basilica, at 12:00
The Holy Father Benedict XVI will address His Christmas message to the world and pronounce the "Urbi et Orbi" Blessing.
Monday 31 December 2012
SOLEMNITY OF MARY, HOLIEST MOTHER OF GOD
Vatican Basilica, 17:00
The Holy Father Benedict XVI will preside over the First Vespers of the Solemnity of Mary, Holiest Mother of God, followed by the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the traditional Te Deum hymn in thanksgiving for the past year and the Eucharistic Blessing.
Tuesday 1 January 2013
SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLIEST MOTHER OF GOD – WORLD DAY OF PEACE
Papal Chapel, Vatican Basilica, 9:30
The Holy Father, Benedict XVI will celebrate Holy Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, Holiest Mother of God on the eighth day of Christmas, which falls on the same day as the 46th World Day of Peace on the theme "Blessed are the peacemakers".
The Mass will be co-celebrated with the Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone; the President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson; the Titular Archbishop of Roselle and Substitute for General Affairs to the Secretary of State; the Titular Archbishop of Sagona and Secretary for Relations with States, Mgr. Dominique Mamberti; S.D.B., Titular Bishop of Bisarcio and Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Mgr. Mario Toso and the Titular Archbishop of Midila and President of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, Mgr. Beniamino Stella.
Sunday 6 January 2013
HOLY MASS ON THE SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY
Papal Chapel. Vatican Basilica, 9:00
The Holy Father, Benedict XVI will celebrate Holy Mass on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, during which he will confer Episcopal Ordination upon some presbyters.
Sunday 13 January 2013
FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
Sistine Chapel, 9:45
The Holy Father, Benedict XVI will preside over the Eucharistic Celebration, during which he will administer the Sacrament of Baptism to some children.