Pope to preside at Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe

By Vatican News

The Pontifical Commission for Latin America is happy to “share its joy at the announcement of the Eucharistic celebration to be presided over by the Holy Father on the occasion of the feast of the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe, Empress of America and Patroness of the Philippines, on Monday 12 December at 18:00 hours in St. Peter's Basilica.”

In a statement, the Pontifical Commission says that nine years after the fifth centenary of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe, Catholics throughout the American continent are called “to rediscover the profound meaning of the presence of Jesus Christ through Mary in our lands.”

Her extraordinary example of inculturated evangelization, it adds, calls us to look to Mary, who challenges all Latin American nations to find a way forward for the common good.

Women, laity, synodality

The Commission notes that “St. Mary of Guadalupe in her dialogue with St. Juan Diego, invites us to appreciate, with new strength, the beauty and dignity of the prophetic presence of women, the much-needed protagonism of the laity, the option for the poor, synodality as a dynamic dimension of communion, and to adopt a radical orientation of all life towards Jesus Christ.”

We are called, it continues, to make our families, our countries, and the whole continent, a "sacred house" in which faith in "the true God for Whom we live" can be proclaimed in freedom.

The Holy Mass

The Holy Mass presided over by the Pope will be preceded by the recitation of the Holy Rosary, starting at 5.30 pm CET.  The celebration will be accompanied by the Choirs of the Sistine Chapel, of the Pontifical Colegio Pio Latino Americano, and of the Pontifical Colegio Mexicano.

All residents of Latin American countries living in Italy, as well as those who are tourists or pilgrims in Rome on that day, are especially invited to participate.

The faithful who wish to take part in this celebration should apply for tickets - which are always provided free of charge - at the Prefecture of the Papal Household.