The principal Mass in all public churches in the Archdiocese of Dublin next Thursday will be said in thanksgiving for the ministry of Pope Benedict XVI.
This is being done at the request of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, who plans to celebrate a special Mass of thanksgiving in Dublin’s Pro-Cathedral at 5.45pm.
Meanwhile thousands of Dublin secondary school students will pay special tribute to the pope in a series of concerts concluding on Thursday. More than 2,000 students, from 58 schools, will take part in the Emmanuel concerts at Dublin’s Helix theatre tomorrow night, Wednesday and Thursday.
They will sing a wide repertoire of liturgical music with a full orchestra. Each evening will begin with a special musical tribute to the pope, Sail the Soul, a hymn based on the prayer of St Colmcille.
It will be sung in tribute to the pope as he nears resignation. Students will also read from texts prepared by the pope, from the start of his papacy and, most recently, for the Year of Faith.