Pilgrimage for beatification of Mother Teresa in Rome

On Sunday, October 19, Pope John Paul II will beatify Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Only six years after her death on September 5, 1997, and after three-and-a-half years of investigation and study, the Church is about to confirm that Mother Teresa heroically lived an exemplary Christian life and that God has lifted her up as both a model of holiness and an intercessor for all. The call of Jesus to Mother Teresa in 1946, "Come, be My light", will resound in St Peter's Square, as all are invited to radiate the light of Christ in the darkness of human poverty and pain.

The Vatican will celebrate other events on that day: the 25th anniversary of John Paul II's Pontificate as well as World Mission Sunday. Many Maltese are planning to join thousands of other devotees of Mother Teresa in Rome to be present for what promises to be a historic date.

Royal Travel in Iklin is organising a pilgrimage to Rome especially for this great event, from October 16 to 21. The trip covers most of the official programme for the beatification and includes a day trip to Assisi, Mass at the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome and participation in a prayer vigil for World Mission Sunday.

On October 19, the eagerly awaited beatification day, people on tour with Royal Travel will have reserved tickets - already in hand - for the ceremony. Festivities to honour Mother Teresa will continue the following day as the next step of the pilgrimage will be attending a thanksgiving Mass on St Peter's Square. An audience with the Holy Father will follow.

Royal Travel has also organised a visit to St John Lateran Basilica, where the relics of Blessed Teresa will be exposed.

Details of the tour can be found on www.royaltravel.com.mt. For further information contact Lilly Muscat at Royal Travel, tel: 2142-3994 or e-mail: info@royaltravel.com.mt.