VATICAN CITY, OCT. 30, 2012 (Zenit.org).- A Mass was celebrated this afternoon in Venice to commemorate the centenary of the birth of Pope John Paul I, Albino Luciani, who was patriarch of that city from 1969 to 1978.
The pontificate of John Paul I, who became known as “the Smiling Pope”, lasted only 33 days from August 26th to September 28th, 1978. The process for his beatification began in 2003.
The Commemoration will consist of a Mass at Saint Mark’s Basilica, presided by Patriarch Francesco Moraglia, who will concelebrate alongside bishops of the Triveneto Episcopal Conference.
The Mass will be followed by a concert of religious music organized by the Procurator of Saint Mark’s Basilica, the Polish Institute in Rome and the “Capella Cracoviensis” of Krakow. During the intervals, there will be readings of texts by John Paul I.
The program of the concert will be dedicated to two of the most important composers of the 17th century Venice.
The first to be dedicated will be Giovanni Gabrieli, a composer, organist and choir master of Saint Mark’s Basilica.The 400th anniversary of Gabrieli’s death falls this year. Mikolak Zielenski, composer, organist and choir master linked to the Collegiate of Lowicz, see of the Polish primate will also be honored.
