Friday morning, in preparation for Saturday’s consistory, the members of the College of Cardinals and the new cardinals-elect, including Mons Prospero Grech, met in the Vatican’s New Synod Hall for a day of reflection and prayer, presided by the Holy Father. Benedict XVI had called the day at the beginning of this month.
According to a communique made public by the Holy See Press Office, the Day began with the celebration of Lauds, followed by an introductory address by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals. The main theme of the day – “the announcement of the Gospel today, between ‘missio ad gentes’ and new evangelisation” – was introduced with a long talk by one of the cardinals-designate: Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York. He was followed by Archbishop Salvatore Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelisation, who delivered a report on the forthcoming Year of Faith, and its significance in the light of the Apostolic Letter ‘Porta fidei’. He also outlined a series of initiatives for the Year, currently being studied by various dicasteries.
The participants in the day of reflection and prayer then rose to speak and the morning session concluded with the praying of the Angelus guided by the Holy Father. The meeting continued in the afternoon, and included the celebration of Vespers at 5 p.m.
Vatican City, 17 February 2012 (VIS)