Benedict XVI will open Australia's first pilgrim center in R

[sillydoll]

For Oceania Catholics making a pilgrimage to Rome

Benedict XVI will open Australia's first pilgrim center in Rome next week, as Sydney's Cardinal George Pell welcomes him to Domus Australia. The archdiocese reported to ZENIT that the Pope will personally visit the center Oct. 19.
Sydney's St. Mary's Cathedral Choir has travelled to Rome and will sing for the event. Although all visitors will be welcome at the new center, Domus Australia is designed to be "especially welcoming" to Australian Catholics and visitors from New Zealand and Oceania.

In December 2008, a group of Australian dioceses led by the Archdiocese of Sydney purchased the student house of the Marist Fathers located at Via Cernaia 14/B, which was to become Domus Australia. The center's complex now comprises four "blocks" surrounding a central internal courtyard and includes a chapel for 150 people, conference facilities, 32 guest rooms, a dining room and lounge area, and a rooftop bar. Amenities include daily Mass and an English information center to help visitors learn about the history of the Church and suggest places of religious significance to visit while in Rome.

Cardinal Pell said Domus Australia "will provide Australians with a true pilgrimage experience and further strengthen the links between the Church in Australia and the Church in Rome." The official opening will be Webcast live with footage streaming at 4:30 p.m. Rome time and 1:30 a.m. Sydney time.

For more information: http://www.xt3.com/domus

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Here's hoping the Pope's health holds up:

Pope, 84, opts for wheeled platform at Mass

By Francis X. Rocca| Religion News Service, Published: October 17

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI used a wheeled platform to move up the main aisle of St. Peter’s Basilica before Mass on Sunday (Oct. 16), in what his spokesman said was a measure to “reduce fatigue” on the 84-year-old pope.

Instead of walking the more than 300 feet to the basilica’s main altar, Benedict stood on the platform, which was pushed by aides. Benedict held his shepherd’s crook in one hand and used his other hand to hold on to a bar on the platform. Benedict occasionally waved to the congregation.

The platform was previously used by the late Pope John Paul II in his last years, when he suffered from advanced Parkinson’s disease.

The Rev. Federico Lombardi, the pope’s top spokesman, told reporters that there was no “medical reason” for Benedict to use the platform now.

“The purpose is exclusively to alleviate the efforts of the Holy Father, as already happens with his use of the Popemobile during entrance processions in outdoor ceremonies and in St. Peter’s Square,” Lombardi said. “Nothing else should be read into the general state of his health, which is good.”

Benedict maintains an active schedule, including international travel. During his four-day state visit to his native Germany last month, he delivered more than a dozen public speeches; next month, he travels to the west African country of Benin.

This is not the first time that the elderly pope has taken measures to conserve his energy. Since 2009, he has celebrated the Christmas vigil Mass in St. Peter’s at 10 p.m. instead of the traditional midnight start time.