Watch the Beatification of John Paul II LIVE at http://vioca.st/jp2beatification
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Beatification of John Paul II - Sydney joins the worldwide celebration
Catholics in Sydney will connect with those all around the world who loved Pope John Paul II when he is beatified in Rome on 1 May 2011. St Mary's Cathedral, inside and out, will be a focal point for celebrations throughout the day as crowds keep vigil to watch this historic event unfold live in Rome.
Coinciding with Divine Mercy Sunday, the popular devotion officially instituted by Pope John Paul II, the faithful from across the community will come and participate in a wide range of celebrations, prayers and activities on the day, with plans underway for a live link to Rome with the screening of the Beatification ceremony on a huge screen in the forecourt.
Similar to the celebrations around the Canonisation of Mary MacKillop last October, thousands are expected to join in the festival atmosphere of the day and take part in the annual Divine Mercy services, adoration and vespers, Catholic stalls and food stalls in the forecourt, creative artistic displays by young people in the grounds and films and presentations on the life of Pope John Paul "The Great".
Following the Divine Mercy service, Mass will be celebrated at 4.30pm by Cardinal George Pell and Monsignor Henryk Micek, from the Divine Mercy movement.
Along with the liturgies celebrated inside the Cathedral, will be a photographic display of the life of John Paul II, capturing some of the most memorable moments throughout his Pontificate. The display, hosted by the John Paul II Foundation and the Italian Episcopal Conference will run from 28 April - 8 May.
The planned Sydney festivities are a response to the open invitation from Cardinal Agostino Vallini, the Pope's Vicar for the Diocese of Rome to the world to join in the celebrations. More than 400,000 are expected to crowd into St Peter's Square with hundreds of thousands more in the surrounding streets on the morning of Sunday 1 May in Rome for the Beatification Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI, followed by the Rite of Beatification. Once the Rite is completed, a large, superb tapestry of the newly Blessed Pope John Paul II will be unveiled at the front of St Peter's Basilica.
Sydneysiders will have the opportunity to be part of the estimated one billion people from around the world celebrating the beatification of not only the world's most widely travelled Pope but one so loved my millions he was called Pope John Paul The Great even in his lifetime.
The legacy of that greatness was evidenced at his funeral, the largest ever seen, with thousands of world leaders, from every religion and no religion, attending in 2005.
Be part of this historic and joyous event. All are welcome, including families who can enjoy the food stalls and activities.
Sunday 1 May Events at St Mary's Cathedral
12noon - Festival activities and food stalls available Cathedral grounds & forecourt
There will be a whole host of activities in and around the Cathedral and everyone is welcome. There will be the opportunity to pray inside the Cathedral with adoration and vespers. Outside, Catholic stalls and food stalls will be accessible in the forecourt, creative artistic displays by young people in the grounds. Films and presentations on the life of Pope John Paul "The Great" will be screening inside the Cathedral Hall.
Inside the Cathedral a photographic display of the life of John Paul II will be showcased, capturing some of the most memorable moments throughout his Pontificate. The display is hosted by the John Paul II Foundation and the Italian Episcopal Conference.
3 ~ 4.30pm - Divine Mercy Sunday service
John Paul II will be beatified on Divine Mercy Sunday, the popular devotion he officially instituted. Many would be familiar with the annual Divine Mercy Sunday service that takes place all over the world and this year's devotions uniquely coincide with the beatification, highlighting the special predilection that John Paul II had in promoting the awareness and reception of the mercy of God. Join in the prayers inside the Cathedral beginning at 3pm.
4.30pm - Mass
His Eminence Cardinal George Pell will celebrate Mass inside the Cathedral and be joined by Monsignor Henryk Micek from the Divine Mercy movement.
5.30pm - Vespers with Seminary Choir
Vespers will be prayed inside the Cathedral.
6pm - Live webcast from Rome of the Beatification in Cathedral forecourt
At the conclusion of Mass and Vespers, those present will be invited to take part in the screening of the beatification ceremony as a community. There will be food stalls available for dinner and family and friends are most welcome to share this unique experience together.
The live webcast of the Rome event will commence from 6pm in the forecourt of St Mary's Cathedral. There will be some seating provided, while others may wish to bring their own picnic blanket.
For any enquiries: JP2beatification@sydneycatholic.org
