By Sr. Henriette Anne, FSSA
In memory of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church will have nine-day of prayer called Novendiali starting with the funeral Mass in accordance with the ancient custom.
According to the Vatican press release the celebration is open to all and each day will involve the participation of different groups.
The first day of the Novendiali will take place on 26th April 2025 at 10.00, on the parvis of Saint Pter’s Basilica.
2nd day: Sunday 27 April, at 10.30, on the parvis of the Vatican Basilica: employees and faithful of Vatican City State. The concelebration will be presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, former Secretary of State.
3rd day: Monday 28 April, at 17.00, in the Vatican Basilica: The Church of Rome. The concelebration will be presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Baldassare Reina, vicar general of His Holiness for the diocese of Rome.
4th day: Tuesday 29 April, at 17.00, in the Vatican Basilica: The Chapters of the Papal Basilicas. The concelebration will be presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican.
5th day: Wednesday 30 April, at 17.00, in the Vatican Basilica: The Papal Chapel. The concelebration will be presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, vice dean of the College of Cardinals.
6th day: Thursday 1 May, at 17.00, in the Vatican Basilica: The Roman Curia. The concelebration will be presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church.
7th day: Friday 2 May, at 17.00, in the Vatican Basilica: The Eastern Churches. The concelebration will be presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, former prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches.
8th day: Saturday 3 May, at 17.00, in the Vatican Basilica: the members of the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life. The concelebration will be presided over by His Eminence Ángel Fernández Artime, former pro-prefect of the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life.
9th day: Sunday 4 May, at 17.00, in the Vatican Basilica: The Papal Chapel. The concelebration will be presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, protodeacon of the College of Cardinals.
