VATICAN - Spiritual Exercises with the Holy Father

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Spiritual Exercises, which will also be attended by the Holy Father Benedict XVI, began at 6 pm on Sunday, March 1, First Sunday of Lent, in the Redemptoris Mater Chapel in the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican. The meditations will be given by Cardinal Francis Arinze, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, on the theme: “The Priest Meets Jesus and Follows Him.”
The Exercises, which will conclude on the morning of Saturday, March 7, will follow this schedule: 9am: Lauds, Meditation; 10:15am: Celebration of the Third Hour of the Liturgy of the Hours, Meditation; 5:00pm: Meditation; 5:45pm: Vespers, Adoration, and Benediction. On Saturday, March 7: at 9am: Lauds and final meditation. During the week of Spiritual Exercises, all audiences are canceled, including the General Audience that would be held on March 4. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 2/3/2009)