The ceremony, for the first time in Francis' pontificate, will take place in St. Peter's Square, instead of inside the Vatican basilica, and will start at 10:00 a.m. (UTC+2). The rite includes the imposition of the biretta, the handing over of the ring and the assignment of the Title or Diaconia to each of the 21 cardinals appointed.
Thanks to collaboration with Vatican News, the entire ceremony can be seen live on the ANS Agency's Facebook page, in the original language. In addition, it will also be visible on Vatican News channel in English.
Following this, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. as a courtesy visit, Card. Fernández Artime will receive family members, friends and devotees of Don Bosco and his work who wish to congratulate him on this new ecclesial service entrusted to him by the Pope. These courtesy visits to the Rector Major will take place inside the Lapidary Gallery of the Apostolic Palace, with entrance through the Bronze Door/atrium of the Paul VI Hall.
The day of celebrations will then continue with a festive moment at Salesian Headquarters, and a second opportunity - for a more select number of guests - at the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See.
One of the most eagerly awaited moments for the international Salesian Family will be the following day, Sunday 1 October 2023, at 11:00 a.m., when the 10th Successor of Don Bosco will celebrate his first Mass as Cardinal in the Sacred Heart Basilica: a significant gesture, an expression of Fr Á.F. Artime's personal devotion, as well as the Congregation's desire to relaunch the role of this basilica which cost Don Bosco so much effort, as an international centre of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
To give the entire Salesian Family around the world the opportunity to participate, albeit at a distance, in this celebration, The October 1st Mass will also be streamed live on the ANS Channel on YouTube, this time in three languages (Italian, English and Spanish).
Finally, it should not be forgotten that among the first cardinal duties of the Rector Major is Wednesday 4 October at 9 a.m, when Pope Francis will preside at the Eucharistic celebration in St Peter’s Square on the occasion of the opening of the Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. On that occasion, in fact, all newly created cardinals have been invited to concelebrate with the Holy Father, together with the rest of the College of Cardinals and the Patriarchs, the archbishops, bishops and presbyters, members of the Synod, as well as the other archbishops, bishops and presbyters who had been given a special ticket.
The creation of the Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco as cardinal is an extraordinary event in itself, as it is unprecedented in the history of the Congregation. This is why there is already a deep sense of expectation and gratitude in the Congregation and the Salesian Family for this appointment, a sign of attention and consideration for Don Bosco and his charism; and there will be many Salesian provincials, bishops and cardinals, as well as the Major Superiors and Heads of the various groups of the Salesian Family, who will not miss the opportunity to gather around Fr Ángel Fernández Artime during these significant days.
