Archbishop Sean Brady is leaving for Rome tomorrow prior to his nomination as a Cardinal by Pope Benedict XIV at the weekend.He will take part in two major ceremonies in St Peter's Square on Saturday and Sunday morning, and on Monday afternoon will preside at his first Mass as a Cardinal, in the Basilica of St John Lateran.
The sermon will be preached by his lifelong friend, Archbishop Dermot Clifford of Cashel and Emly, prior to a special reception in the Irish Pontifical College.
A large number of well-wishers, including the Archbishop's family and former colleagues will attend the ceremonies. Archbishop Brady's brother, Con, a farmer from Cavan, will travel to Rome with his wife Bernadette and children Andrew and Philip.
His sister Kitty Mulligan, a teacher in Crumlin, Dublin, will also be there with her husband Augustin and their daughter Andrea.
Archbishop Brady told the Belfast Telegraph more than 70 friends and supporters from his native Cavan will be in Rome.
He said: "I believe a number of my classmates from Maynooth are also attending, and others from my time as a student at the Irish College in Rome"
Senior Catholic Church clergy from all over Ireland are planning to attend, and because of this the scheduled installation of Seamus Freeman as the new Bishop of Ossory on Sunday has been postponed for a week.
President Mary McAleese is thought to be planning to go to Rome, as well as leading politicians from Dublin.
It is also thought that representatives from the Stormont Assembly will be present.
Archbishop Brady has said anyone who will be in Rome and who wants a ticket should contact his office in Armagh this week at 028 3752 2045. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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