(November 05, 2011) Starting with Friday’s group of US bishops, 15 delegations
will make their way to Rome over the coming months to speak with Pope Benedict and
Vatican officials about the health and future of the Catholic Church in the United
States. The first delegation will conclude their visits, Wednesday 9th.
Friday. The bishops said Mass Saturday at the tomb of St. Peter before going on to
meetings with the various Vatican dicasteries, while residing at the Vatican’s Domus
Sanctae Marthae. Every bishop of course will also have an audience with Pope Benedict.
While the bishops from the Province of Boston, led by Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley O.F.M.,
met with the Pope, Friday, the bishops from the Province of Hartford had their chance
Saturday. The term “ad limina” refers to the Latin phrase “ad limina apostolorum”
– to the threshold of the apostles– referring to the pilgrimage to the tombs of Sts.
Peter and Paul that is required of every bishop. The visits usually take place every
five years.