Pope Benedict XVI will confer the highest honour within the Catholic Church, The Golden Rose, on the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe on Tuesday, May 5, at the concluding solemn celebrations of the VII Centuries of the Sanctuary.This precious and sacred gold decorated ornament, in the form of a rose or spray of roses, is blessed and only conferred in recognition of service by the Pope himself, and it is a privilege and rare exception that, since he cannot be here, he is sending it to Gibraltar for the celebrations.
On Tuesday it will be carried by his Special Envoy, Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, during Holy Mass, and will be presented to the Catholic Church in Gibraltar.
The Golden Rose is only occasionally conferred upon illustrious churches and sanctuaries as a token of special reverence and devotion, upon Catholic kings or queens, princes or princesses, renowned generals or other distinguished personages, upon governments or cities conspicuous for their Catholic spirit and loyalty to the Holy See, as a mark of esteem and paternal affection.
From the beginning of the 17th Century it has been conferred on kings, queens, princesses, and eminent noblemen, but in the second half of the twentieth century, awards of the Golden Rose became very rare, and were all conferred upon places, mostly shrines.
Pope Paul VI, made only five grants of the Golden Rose during his pontificate.
None of them were given to people, but to places of devotion.
Pope John Paul II made four awards of the Golden Rose, each to a different shrine, during his 27 year pontificate.
Thus, the conferral of the Golden Rose can be considered a great privilege.
Pope Benedict XVI has made six awards of the Golden Rose so far, including the Shrine of Our Lady of Bonaria in Cagliari, and the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii, both presented last year.
Just a few days ago, whilst in L’Aquila, he placed a golden rose at the foot of the statue of Our Lady of Roio.
Traditionally, the Golden Rose is blessed on the fourth Sunday of Lent, Lætare Sunday, also known as Rose Sunday.
It was almost a year ago when Pope Benedict XVI granted the Diocese permission to hold this Jubilee in preparation for the celebrations, which come to a close this evening with High Mass celebrated on the feast of Our Lady of Europe, presided over by Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins.
Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins is due to arrive in Gibraltar on Monday. Bringing with him a special message from the Pope, The Cardinal will be the main celebrant at the High Mass being celebrated on Tuesday May 5, the Feast of Our Lady of Europe, and the day which brings the Jubilee celebrations to a close.
The three days of celebrations will be close to The Shrine of Our Lady of Europe in a marquee set up in the Europa Point cricket ground where the main events will be held.
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