The pontifical mass on Christmas Day from the Cathedral Basilica of Messina Santa Maria Assunta broadcast live on Rtp (channel 19 and 864) and Tgs (channel 13) today starting at 10.50 am (and in streaming https://player. gazzettadelsud.it/rtp; the auxiliary bishop presides over the rite, in the presence of the highest civil and military authorities Cesare Di Pietro; the celebration will be repeated on Rtp at 6pm.
The frontal of the main altar depicting the Embassy visiting the Virgin Mary has been relocated to the Cathedral. The valuable work in silver and gilded copper weighing approximately 200 kilograms was subjected to restoration work carried out by maestro Carmelo Geraci. A complex job, as the restorer himself explained, which was necessary to eliminate the ferrous oxidation produced by iron nails and the copper oxidation caused by the use of aggressive polishing substances. The sheets, not particularly thin, had scattered dents, lesions and small gaps, as well as the presence of deformations and desoldered parts that have been fixed. The wooden structure behind it was also recovered, weakened by the attack of xylophagous insects. In addition to the restoration, it was necessary to create a missing golden chalice, which was originally held in the hand of the female figure placed to the left of the scene.
“It is, as explained by the archbishop’s delegate for the Cathedral, Msgr. Roberto Romeoa work of great value and inestimable beauty which therefore deserved to be restored to its former splendor”. On the occasion of the ordinary Jubilee 2025 which will open on December 29th in all the dioceses, the church of Messina Lipari Santa Lucia del Mela will contribute to the construction of the ambo, the place where the Word of God is proclaimed, a sign of immortal memory of this holy year.