Cathedral Mass for Pope

THE Archdiocese of Port-of-Spain will meet from 9 am today, at Archbishop’s House to finalise plans for the observance of a period of mourning for Pope John Paul II, who died on Saturday in Rome. A requiem mass will be held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Port-of-Spain on Wednesday at 5 pm, at which Archbishop Edward Gilbert will officiate. Arrangements for this mass are among matters to be finalised at this morning’s meeting.

His Excellency Thomas E Gullickson, Papal Nuncio, who is the representative of the Vatican in Trinidad and Tobago, will be a guest at Wednesday’s mass which will be attended by many dignitaries, priests, nuns and members of the public. Apart from being the leader of the world’s billion Catholics, the Pope was also a head of state (the Vatican in Rome).  It is expected that a condolence book will be opened at the Apostolic Nunciature on Mary Street, St Clair on Tuesday and on Wednesday morning before the mass for the Pope. This is expected to be finalised sometime today.

Churches throughout TT offered prayers for the Pope yesterday and some diplomatic missions had their flags flown at half mast. Fr Garfield Rochard, parish priest of the Assumption Church, who was in charge of the liturgy for the 1985 visit to Trinidad and Tobago of Pope John Paul, said yesterday, “he used his childlike and youthful gifts for the betterment of society.” The holy mass which took place at the National Stadium during the Pope’s visit, brought together all priests, nuns and lay people of the Archdiocese and other people from the Caribbean.  There was a massed choir made up of church choirs throughout the Archdiocese that sang at the mass. Thousands were present at the National Stadium for the historic occasion. Fr Rochard told Newsday the Pope’s early “history” in Poland served him for the rest of his life.

As a youth he (the Pope) was an avid sportsman. Rochard said this allowed him never to lose touch with youth and gave him, “the ability to be creative and enjoy oneself in active collaboration with people.” He said the late Pope understood what it was to be young at heart and used this in his ministry. Fr Rochard said the Polish born Pope’s early years growing up under the “Iron Curtain” (the border separating the Soviet Union and communist states of Eastern Europe from Western European countries) contributed to his indomitable spirit. “He used the Gospel experience of peace and perseverance.” He said the Pope’s legacy from his 1985 visit was the “inner experience of solidarity with the wider world.” Rochard said the Pope’s personality, warmth and charisma made this possible.