Manila, Philippines – Thanksgiving masses and other commemorative rites will be held today in many parts of the world, including the Philippines, in observance of the first feast day of Blessed Pope John Paul II, who was beatified in rites witnessed by millions of Catholics across the globe last May 1 in Rome, Italy by his successor Pope Benedict XVI.
Thanksgiving masses for a beatified person are by tradition usually limited to places where the individual lived or worked but “the exceptional character of the beatification of the Venerable John Paul II, recognized by the entire Catholic Church, spread throughout the world, led to a general permission for the thanksgiving masses,” said a decree from the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and Sacraments.
The Vatican said “churches throughout the world will have a year to celebrate thanksgiving masses for his beatification.” (Christina I. Hermoso)