And so it will begin

This morning, the Pontifical Master of Ceremonies, Monsignor Guido Marini issued the official notification that the College of Cardinals will celebrate the Mass for the election of the Roman Pontiff in the Vatican Basilica beginning at 10:00am (local time in Rome).

The Mass will be celebrated by His Eminence, Angelo Cardinal Sodano, the Dean of the College of Cardinals.  All other Cardinals present in Rome can also participate in this liturgy.

The College of Cardinals have also decided today that on Tuesday afternoon of this coming week, the Cardinal electors will assemble in the Pauline Chapel in the Apostolic Palace at 4:15pm, vested in red and wearing also the roccetto (the surplice), the mosetta (shoulder cape) and the berretta (the red hat which each Cardinal receives from the hands of the Holy Father when he is invested).

From the Pauline Chapel, the Cardinal electors will process toward the Sistine Chapel while chanting the Litany of Saints.  When they arrive at the Sistine Chapel, they will continue with the chanting of the Veni Creator Spiritus, and then they will pronouce the Oath prescribed before the extra omnes is pronounced.



In addition to the Cardinal electors, the following persons will take part in this procession, each wearing the vestiture proper to his order:

• the Cardinal who will give the meditation in the Sistine chapel;
• the Secretary of the Conclave;
• the Vice-Camerlengo;
• the Auditor General of the Apostolic Camera;
• the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Ceremonies;
• two members of the College of Protonotaries Apostolic
• two members of the Prelate Auditors of the Roman Rota;
• two members of the College of Prelate Clerics of the Camera;
• the Secretary of the Cardinal who will preside over the Conclave;
• the Assistants to the Pontifical Master of Ceremonies; and
• members of the Pontifical Chapel choir.

These above-mentioned persons will assemble in the Sala Regia on the first level of the Apostolic Palace at 4:00pm local time in Rome on Tuesday afternoon in preparation for the procession.  Also at 4:00pm on that day, the following persons will assemble in the Sistine Chapel, in preparation for the beginning of the Conclave:

• the Substitue of the Secretariat of State;
• the Secretary for Relations with States;
• the Prefect of the Papal Household, Archbishop Georg Ganswein;
• Religious who are responsible for the Sacristy;
• Priests who will be available for hearing the confessions of the Cardinal electors; and
• the Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard.

Also present in the Sistine Chapel, other persons authorized for service during the Conclave will be present.  Each of these will wear special badges identifying them as having the necessary permission to attend.  This final group includes members of the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff; the Pontifical Swiss Guard; Vatican Radio; the Vatican Television Centre, Photographers; the cleaning staff; and persons responsible for arranging the furniture in the Sistine Chapel.