367. Pope John Paul II: Anniversary

The photos illustrate various moments of the celebration of Holy Mass said for the benefit of our parishes, at the altar of Pope John Paul II.

Today, 2nd April 2005, at 21,27 minutes, Pope John Paul II died and the Catholic World felt bereft of an immense guide as Karol Wojtyla had been.

His message to the world when he first appeared on that papal balcony on 16th October 1078 was “Do not be afraid.”

On 2nd March our Parish Priest Mons. Mario Dall’Arche together with Mons. Fabio Dal Cin, born and bred in our village and the Salesian Father Anthony who assists our parishes every Christmas and Easter celebrated Mass on the altar of Pope John Paul II, at St Peter’s in the Vatican, beneath a mosaic depicting St Sebastian being martyred with arrows from the Diocletian soldiers.

The Papal Altar & Baldacchino (Bernini, 1633) was constructed directly over the tomb of St Peter which lies in the catacombs below.