BENEDICT XVI: NEWS, PAPAL TEXTS, PHOTOS AND COMMENTARY

Friday, Sept. 14, 23rd Week in Ordinary Time

Illustrations, from left: Crucifixion, El Greco, 1597; Exaltation, two Greek Orthodox icons, undated; Exaltation, 12th-cent. mosaic, apse of San Clemente Church, Rome; St Helena and the Cross, St. Peter's Basilica; Crucifixion, Giotto, 1316.
FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
The True Cross is said to have been discovered in 326 by the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine I, Helena of Constantinople, during a pilgrimage she made to Jerusalem. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was then built at the site of the discovery, by order of Helena and Constantine. The church was dedicated nine years later. The date of the feast marks the dedication of the Church - although the actual consecration of the church was on September 13, the cross itself was brought outside the church on September 14 so that the clergy and faithful could pray before the True Cross, and all could come forward to venerate it.


Five years ago today, Benedict XVI's landmark motu proprio Summorum Pontificum went into effect,
on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, revalidating the full liturgical status in the Church
of the traditional Mass celebrated universally before the liturgical reform of 1970.

The Holy Father left Rome for Beirut this morning as scheduled.

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APOSTOLIC TRIP OF BENEDICT XVI

TO LEBANON, September 14-16, 2012

Signing and Publication of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation
on the October 2010 Special Assembly of the Bishops' Synod on the Middle East

P R O G R A M

Friday, Sept. 14

ROME

09.30 Departure from Ciampino Airport, Rome, for Beirut.

BEIRUT

13.45 Arrival in Beirut

WELCOME CEREMONY
Rafiq Hariri International Airport
- Address by the Holy Father

The Holy Father will stay at the Apostolic Nunciature in Harissa.

HARISSA

18.00 Visit to the Basilica of St. Paul
SIGNING OF THE POST-SYNODAL APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION
- Address by the Holy Father

Saturday, Sept. 15

HARISSA

08.00 Private Mass

BAABDA

10.00 COURTESY VISITS WITH LEBANESE LEADERS
Presidential Palace at Baabda
Separate private meetings with the President of the Republic,
the President of Parliament, and
the President of the Council of Ministers

10.50 MEETING WITH THE LEADERS OF THE MUSLIM RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES
Hall of the Ambassadors, Presidential Palace

11.15 MEETING WITH LEADERS OF GOVERNMENT AND LEBANESE INSTITUTIONS,
THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS, RELIGIOUS LEADERS, AND
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE WORLD OF CULTURE
May 25 Commemorative Hall, Presidential Palace
- Address by the Holy Father.

BZOMMAR

13.30 Lunch with the Patriarchs and Bishops of Lebanon,
Members of the Special Council for the Middle East
of the Bishops'Synod, and the papal delegation
Refectory of the Catholic Armenian Patriarchate

BKERKE

18.00 MEETING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE
Piazza facing the Maronite Patriarchate
- Address by the Holy Father

Sunday, Sept. 16

BEIRUT

10.00 HOLY MASS
and Handover of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation
Beirut city center waterfront
- Homily by the Holy Father
- ANGELUS prayers
- Remarks by the Holy Father.

HARISSA

13.20 Lunch with the papal delegation
Apostolic Nunciature

16.50 Farewell from the Nunciature

CHARFET

17.15 ECUMENICAL ENCOUNTER
Salon d'Honneur, Syro-Catholic Patriarchate

BEIRUT

18.30 DEPARTURE CEREMONY
Rafiq Hariri International Airport
- Address by the Holy Father

19.00 Departure for Rome

ROME

21.40 Arrival at Ciampino Airport
NB: Beirut is one hour ahead of Rome.

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