Thousands of pilgrims have been streaming into Rome over the past week for the start of the “Big Weekend” which opens tonight with the Vigil in honor of John Paul II at 8pm local time.
And although it’s currently raining in Rome and some storms are forecast on Monday, meteorologists predict the rain clouds will make way for a sunny day tomorrow, the date of the beatification in St. Peter’s Square.
If, like most, you won’t be able to make it here to join the celebrations in person, you can still follow all the events of the three days on EWTN which will be offering extensive coverage.
The Vatican has also been pulling out the stops to ensure you don’t miss a thing. This page on the Vatican Radio site has details of the schedule of events (this page is also helpful) and links to the cameras of Vatican television. For some background on how the beatification will unfold, the Vatican has released this note from the Pontifical Household.
In the meantime, check back for updates from Tom Wehner and me over the next three days.
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Here comes the night of nights. If I die this night, then I die happily. Blessed John Paul, pray for us.
I think it is wonderful that they are going to beatify John Paul II this weekend. It is especially meaningful because Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday which was started by John Paul II on April 30, 2000.
Nancy White
It is especially wonderful that this is not only Divine Mercy Sunday, but that in the past it was May Day, the Communist celebration of the Soviet’s military might parading through Red Square. How fitting that this is the day the Pope from Poland, where both Hitler and Stalin attempted to obliterate the Church, is beatified. I also loved that last night’s Vigil was in the Circus Maximus, where many, many Christians were tortured and killed for the amusement of the Roman emperors. Today IS a great day!
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