Day of Prayer and Reflection for Cardinals

The Holy See Press Office has issued a communiqué on the day of prayer and reflection of the College of Cardinals after the Friday morning session. The Cardinals were meeting in the Synod Hall at the Vatican the day before the consistory.

After celebrating mid-morning prayer, there was a welcoming speech by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Angelo Sodano.

The theme of the day was “The Announcement of the Gospel Today, Between ‘missio ad gentes’ and the New Evangelization”, and was introduced by a comprehensive report by the Archbishop of New York, Cardinal-designate Archbishop Timothy Dolan.

Afterwards, the President of the Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, Archbishop Salvatore Fisichella, spoke of the upcoming Year of Faith, and significant points in the light of the Apostolic Letter “Porta fidei”. He also presented a series of initiatives under study by several Dicasteries about the Year of the Faith.

After this, there was enough time for seven interventions by participants on various themes before the Angelus prayer led by the Holy Father ended the morning session.

The Day will continue with more interventions by participants in the afternoon after Vespers at 5:00 pm.

There were 133 of 213 members of the College of Cardinal present (including the 22 new cardinals). Those not there were excused for reasons of age or health, or previous binding commitments.