With the solemnity ofImmaculate Conceptionon December 8th, they open at Messina the Christmas holidays, a time of shared joy, but above all of spiritual reflection and solidarity. There are three religious moments that traditionally mark this day: it starts at 10am with the mass at the sanctuary of San Francesco all’Immacolata on viale Boccettapresided over by the auxiliary bishop Cesare Di Pietro and animated by the young scouts of the Agesci Messina 1 group, in the presence of civil and military authorities.
RTP will follow the celebration starting at 9.50: it is the first of seven Sunday and holiday events broadcast liveto allow those – especially the elderly and sick – who are unable to go out, to fully experience this liturgical season while enjoying the artistic beauties of the churches of Messina. “I am grateful to the president and editorial director of Società Editrice Sud Lino Morgante for this beautiful television initiative to broadcast community liturgical moments. A positive example of how information, through various communication channels, becomes a living instrument of communion”, said the archbishop Giovanni Accolla.
At 11.45 there will be a tribute to the marble Immaculate Conception in the square of the same name behind the Cathedral: the firefighters and the First Citizen offered the wreath of flowers Federico Basilewhile the bishop will impart the blessing to those present. At 4pm the procession of the ancient simulacrum of the Virgin will leave from the temple of the Immaculate Conception. Among the stops envisaged along the way is the one in front of the Montevergine Monastery in via 24 Maggio, where the Poor Clares will recite a prayer, and that to Piazza Duomo on the Cathedral square. In this regard, the guardian of the church, fra Massimiliano Di Pasqualehoped that next year – in synergy with the archbishop’s delegate Msgr. Roberto Romeo – the simulacrum of the Immaculate can enter the Cathedral for a pause shared with all the faithful, “it would be – he said – a beautiful sign of synodal communion”.