Everything is ready for the arrival of Karol Wojtyla

 The definite programme of the cultural events and the liturgical celebration that are accompanying the presence of the shrine containing the blood of the Blessed Wojtyla in the church of San Vittore in Varese is now ready. From November 25 to December 1 , the church will be open from 6.30 a.m. to 11.30 p.m., to allow the expected thousands of believers to pay homage and pray in front of the relic of the future saint.

Waiting for the relic

In the baptistery of San Giovanni, alongside the Bernascone bell tower, the programme will start in advance from Saturday November 23 with the opening of a photography exhibition “GPII, il papa cha ha cambiato la storia (JPII, the pope who changed history).”
In the evening, the film “La bottega dell’orefice (The jeweller’s shop)”, based on the play of Wojtyla, will be shown in the hall named “Welcoming Karol” in the women’s oratory of Malnate.

Among theatre and music: in the programme of culture

On November 27 at 9 p.m., the performance “Un uomo in cammino. Viaggio tra le opera letterarie di Karol Wojtyla (A man on his way. The journey through the literary works of Karol Wojtyla)” with Matteo Bonanni and the choir “Cara Beltà” will be shown in the Church. On Saturday 30, at 9 p.m., the pianist Carlo José Seno will play Chopin’s music in the event “Testimonianza in musica (Testimony in music)” in the church of San Vittore in Casbeno.

Liturgical celebration

Religious ceremonies are the core of the agenda and they will start on Monday November 25 at 5 p.m. by the welcoming of the Relic in San Vittore Place by the Parish Priest in the presence of the Civic Authorities.

Every day rosaries, praises and meditations are planned. It will be followed by the solemn Vespers and the testimony, presided over by monsignor Slawomir Oder, postulator of the Cause of Beatification and Canonization of John Paul II. The cardinal will finish the day, His Eminence Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio, president of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, at 9 p.m. presiding over the high opening greeting of Mass.

On November 26 the pilgrimage for the areas of the Deanery will begin. At 6.45 a.m. it will be the northern area’s turn, guided by monsignor Erminio Villa, priest of Santa Maria del Monte in Varese.

In addition, His Eminence monsignor Renato Corti, the distinguished bishop of Novara, will be present at the Mass of 10 a.m. and at the choral of the Deanery of 9 p.m., presided over by monsignor Franco Agnesi, Episcopal Vicar of Varese’s area.

On Wednesday 27 the pilgrimage of the hinterland’s area, presided over by Father Francesco Corti, is planned at 6.45 a.m. and at 6.30 p.m. there will be a Mass for all the children of the city, accompanied by all the choirs of the Deanery’s parishes.

Thursday 28 will be defined by the pilgrimage of the southern area with Father Massimiliano Terraneo and, at 5.30 p.m., by the Vespers with meditation, presided over by monsignor Ettore Malnati, Episcopal Vicar for the culture of the Diocese of Trieste, from Varese.

On Friday 29, the pilgrims will arrive from the eastern area with Father Carlo Garavaglia and at 9 p.m. a moment of prayer is planned, guided by Father Baldo Alagna, priest of the John Paul II’s Missionary Brotherhood.

Saturday 30 is the day dedicated to the sick and young, which are held dear to the Polish Pope.

At 6.45 a.m., following Father Mauro Barlassina, the faithful from the western area will come.

At 10 a.m. the high Mass will be held, with the sick of the city with His Eminence monsignor Marco Ferrari, already the auxiliary bishop of Milan, and at 9 p.m. the wake with the young is planned, presided over by monsignor Agnesi. December 1 will mark the end of the event, at 5.30 p.m., with the holy closing Mass, presided over by His Eminence monsignor Luigi Stucchi, auxiliary bishop of Milan.