Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santiago di Chile (Agenzia Fides) – In Chile the Year for Priests will conclude in a Eucharistic and penitential spirit: the Catholic clergy of Santiago, men and women religious and lay faithful, will celebrate the closing of the Year for Priests in the Cathedral on Saturday 12 June. After a celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Cardinal Francisco Javier Errázuriz Ossa will preside a Mass with the renewal of priestly promises. Reports to Fides regarding the closing of the Year for Priests in Latin America, include the news that at the end of May in Costa Rica some 80 priests made a pilgrimage to the Basilica de los Angeles. Archbishop Hugo Barrantes Ureña of San José, encouraged the priests to pray to Our Lady venerated here as La Negrita (the patron of Costa Rica) for all priests and for help to form a "Home and School of Communion". The Archbishop also underlined the importance of the Continental Mission and recalled the closing celebrations at the Metropolitan Cathedral and at the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The archdiocese of Mexico will unite with the celebration for the closing of the Year for Priests in Rome, with a solemn Mass in the Basilica of Guadalupe, celebrated by Cardinal Norberto Rivera. Auxiliary Bishops, men and women religious will participate in the Eucharist, at noon today, with the lay faithful especially members of pastoral groups and Church Movements in the archdiocese. In Mexico various events were organised by lay Catholics to express affection and support for priests, such as days of prayer, Art exhibitions, letters and testimony.
In Dominican Republic the Year for Priests closed with a solemn Mass attended by large crowds at the Olympic Sports Ground in Santo Domingo. The Eucharist was presided by Cardinal Nicolás De Jesús López Rodríguez. Concelebrants included the apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Józef Wesolowski, other bishops and numerous priests. Present for the celebration deacons from all over the country and lay faithful representing the individual dioceses. The exceptional event, in which more than 500 diocesan and religious priests from all over the Dominican Republic participated, was broadcast live on television and radio. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 11/06/2010)
