Preparing for a Beatification

Just a few weeks ago, the Vatican announced that the Servant of God, John Paul II would be beatified in the coming months.  As we wait for this great and glorious day, another step along the path toward the sainthood he so longed for while he was here on earth, there will no doubt be a boundless supply of memorabilia, books written about him, or reprints of his voluminous library of published work.

So it happens that the online 'zine ZENIT has recently published an article about what they are penning as the Wojtyla Shock.  It's true that when he was elected as Roman Pontiff, no one on the outside world expected it.  Perhaps very few of the Cardinal electors themselves began the conclave thinking that anyone but an Italian would advance, but then again, that was part of the magic that made him so well loved by so many.

In total, some 2 million pilgrims are expected to attend the Beatification Mass which will be held in Saint Peter's Square on May 1, the Second Sunday of Easter, and Divine Mercy Sunday.  As of this week, the official announcement came from HQ that there will not be any tickets printed or required in order to attend the Beatification.  I think it's more a matter of knowing that the crowds will be enormous, and any attempt to control the crowd with tickets will only add to the confusion.  Besides, JPII himself would welcome all those who will be there.

A preliminary list of the various celebrations which are being planned for the Beatification was also released this week.  The liturgies will include:

• A vigil of preparation on Saturday evening, April 30 in the Circus Maximus from 8:30pm to 10:30pm;
• The Beatification Mass on Sunday, May 1 in Saint Peter's Square beginning at 10:00am; and
• A Mass of Thanksgiving on Monday, May 2 in Saint Peter's Square beginning at 10:30am.

The earthly remains of the new Blessed will be exposed for veneration before the Altar of the Confession (behind the main altar inside the Basilica) and all pilgrims will be invited to venerate.  Following the completion of the Mass of Thanksgiving on Monday, the mortal remains of JPII will be transferred to the Chapel of Saint Sebastian inside the Basilica, where they will remain.