3 juillet 2008
Speeches and Homilies
Apostolic Journey to France : Speeches and Homilies
Nothing is required of participants or groups in order to take part (no reservation or registration). The program may still be modified : update on www.papeaparis.org
Information
For all information concerning the visit : www.papeaparis.org
Information telephone line : +33 1 45 49 67 12 - contact@papeaparis.org
Friday 12th of September 2008
For the first time as Pope, Benedict XVI will come to France on an apostolic visit. It will be Benedict XVI’S ninth apostolic visit abroad. Cardinal Ratzinger knows France well ; his last visit was for the sixtieth anniversary of the Normandy landing in june 2004. On Benedict XVI’S arrival, in the middle of the day, he will meet the President of the Republic and other members of the government. While in Paris, the Pope will meet with members in charge of other Christian denominations as well as representatives of the Muslim and Jewish communities.
From 4:00 pm on Friday the 12th of september, the public will have access to the quays close to Notre-Dame cathedral, on the Left Bank : "Quai de la Tournelle", "Quai Montebello", "Quai Saint-Michel".
The metro and RER will be working as usual.
Large screens will be placed all a long the quays allowing everyone to follow the procedures of the afternoon (meetings and prayers).
The Pope will address the world of culture
At 5:30 pm, the Pope will go to the "Bernardins College", www.collegedesbernardins.fr. Seven and half centuries after its foundation, the newly restored Bernardins College is to be used as a place of research and reflection for the Church and society, on man and his future.
Live broadcast on the screens near Notre-Dame cathedral on the Left Bank quays.
Tour through the streets of Paris in the popemobile
Between 6:45 and 7:00 pm, the Pope will go the Notre-Dame cathedral in the popemobile.
Free access to the popemobile’s itinerary on the Left Bank quays Live broadcast.
Prayers at Notre-Dame Cathedral
Between 7:00 and 8:15 pm the Holy Father will celebrate vespers with priests, seminaries, monks and nuns in the cathedral and all the faithful from the Left Bank quays.
Vespers will be live broadcast on the large screens outside the cathedral and a long the path taken by the popemobile.
Greetings and a message for the young people
At 8:15 pm, after vespers, when leaving Notre-Dame cathedral, the Pope will address the young and open the session of evening prayers at Notre-Dame cathedral and several other churches.
Benedict XVI’S speech for the young will be live broadcast on the large screens outside the cathedral and on the quays.
An evening of prayer at Notre-Dame cathedral with the young.
At 8:30 pm, picnic and music in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral.
At 9:30 pm, evening of prayer with the young at Notre-Dame cathedral, the theme will be that for the World Youth Day in Sydney (July 2008) “’You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you ; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1, 8)
Free access. Live broadcast on the large screens outside the cathedral.
An evening of prayers in Paris
Several churches in Paris will organise prayers throughout in the evening with different communities, movements and prayer groups.
Free access. A complete program will be available at the time in a special booklet or on www.papeaparis.org.
A "Procession of Light" at midnight from Notre-Dame cathedral to the Invalide’s
The meeting point will be at midnight in front of Notre-Dame, the Procession of Light will follow the statue of Our Lady to the Esplanade of the Invalid’s, "Esplanade des Invalides".
Free access. Meeting point at midnight in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral.
It will possible to join the procession at any time.
Candles will be distributed.
Saturday 13th of September 2008 High Mass with the Pope on the Esplanade of Invalide’s
High Mass with the Pope on the Esplanade of Invalide’s was chosen so as permit everyone to take part in High Mass in the presence of the Holy Father on Saturday the 13th of september 2008 at 10 o’clock.
At 8:00 am, morning prayers organised by religious communities.At 9:30 am, arrival of the Pope he will go a long the Esplanade in the popemobile.At 10:00 am, celebration of High Mass with the Pope.
Free Access
For technical reasons the Esplanade of Invalide’s will only be partly accessible during the night and will be opened progressively until the morning.
The metro and RER will be working as usual. The "Invalides", "Pont de l’Alma", "Varenne", and "La Tour-Maubourg" stops will be closed : use the closest stations.
Plan arrival before 8:30 am after which it will be longer be possible to gain access to the Esplanade : Main paths will be closed.
Cars will not be able to circulate in the streets close to the Invalid’s. Coaches with special permission will have access to the streets giving on the Esplanade, they will also be able to park. The special permission can be obtained from autocars@papeaparis.org. It is advisable for coaches to arrive before 7:30 am.
For security reasons luggage and large bags, knives, glass bottles, gas containers, large flags, banners, signs or notices and animals will not be allowed on the Esplanade.
It will be possible for groups to stay on the Esplanade of the Invalide’s after the celebration.
From Saturday 13th to Monday 15th of September
After his visit to Paris the Pope will go on pilgrimage to Lourdes for the 150th anniversary of the Apparitions.
For all information concerning the visit in Lourdes : +33 5 62 42 2008, www.lourdes2008.com
The Paris diocese is offering the possibility of a pilgrimage from Paris to Lourdes with the Pope, departure by TGV from Paris on Saturday 13th of September 2008 after Mass at the Esplanade of the Invalid’s. Returning on Monday the 15th of September in the evening. Information and enrolment parislourdes@papeaparis.org or +33 1 45 49 67 12.