Milan, April 22, 2022 - Saturday 30 April, at 10 am, during a solemn Mass in the Cathedral, they will be proclaimed blessed Armida Barelli and Don Mario Ciceri, two figures who, with their apostolate activity and cultural and educational commitment, have left a profound mark on the history of the Ambrosian Church and of the Italian Catholic world.
His Eminence Cardinal Marcello Semeraro will preside at the Mass for the double beatification, representing Pope Francis. Among the concelebrants the Archbishop of Milan, Msgr. Mario Delpini.
The celebration - which will be broadcast live on TV2000 - will be preceded, starting at 9 am, by a moment of prayer to help those present to enter into an atmosphere of recollection.
Method of accreditation
Journalists, photographers and television operators who intend to follow the beatification ceremony in the Cathedral must be accredited by 12 noon on Friday 29 April by writing to communication@diocesi.milano.it and indicating name, surname and header. Accredited persons will be sent a pass to show (in paper or digital format) at the entrance from the side doors, on the Archbishop's side.
Photographers and operators will be able to position themselves in the delimited area around the first column on the right side, looking at the altar; the journalists in the benches of the transept indicated by the police.
Presentation to the press
In preparation for the celebration, on Thursday 28 April at 11.30 a meeting with the press will take place in the Catholic University (at the Multimedia Studio / Aula Malinverni in via Sant'Agnese 2), where the biographical profiles of the two new blessed will be illustrated and different cultural initiatives related to the event, promoted by the subjects involved in the beatification process.
Speakers: Antonella Sciarrone Alibrandi, deputy pro-rector, representing the University; Paolo Seghedoni, national vice president of the Italian Catholic Action; Msgr. Ennio Apeciti, head of the diocesan service for the causes of saints and postulator of the cause of beatification of Don Mario Ciceri; Barbara Pandolfi, vice-postulator of the cause of beatification of Armida Barelli. In conclusion, a short preview of the documentary will be presented Armida Barelli. To be to act, curated by Monica Mondo, produced by TV2000 in collaboration with the Catholic University.
To participate in the meeting - reserved for journalists and communication operators - it is necessary to report one's presence to office.stampa@unicatt.it, indicating name, surname and header. Access is only possible in possession of the reinforced Green pass.
Prayer vigils, thanksgiving Masses and liturgical memorials
On Friday 29 April, the eve of the beatification ceremony in the Cathedral, two prayer vigils are planned: for Armida Barelli in Milan, in the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio at 2o, presided over by Father Massimo Fusarelli, Minister General of the Friars Minor; for Don Mario Ciceri in Sulbiate, in the parish church at 21 pm, presided over by the episcopal vicar of the area, Msgr. Luciano Angaroni.
Furthermore, on Saturday 30 April and Sunday 1 May, from 8 to 20, it will be possible to visit the tomb of Armida Barelli in the Chapel of the Catholic University.
After the beatification two Masses of thanksgiving will be celebrated. On 1 May, at 11 am, in the Catholic University (Aula Magna, largo Gemelli 1), on the occasion of the day dedicated to the university, the celebration dedicated to Armida Barelli it will be chaired by the general ecclesiastical assistant of the Catholic University, Msgr. Claudio Giuliodori. On 4 May at 21 pm, in Sulbiate, the archbishop Msgr. Mario Delpini; the same will be done by the vicar general, Msgr. Franco Agnesi, at the same time as Veduggio, the birthplace of the blessed.
The liturgical memory of Armida Barelli will recur on November 19, that of Mario Ciceri on June 14.
Who are the two new blessed
Armida Barelli (1882-1952) was founder of the Women's Youth of Catholic Action and co-founder of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, of the secular Institute of the Missionaries of the Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ and also of the Opera della Regalità for the liturgy.
She helped to train thousands of young women who, through the example of the "Big Sister", learned to love God, their neighbor, the Church and to actively spend themselves in the society of their time.
Born in Brianza, Mario Ciceri (1900-1945) was ordained a priest in 1924 and appointed parish vicar of Brentana di Sulbiate (MB). He lives his entire ministry in that parish at the service of the oratory, of Catholic Action, of the sick and those displaced by war. During the Second World War, he accompanies the wanted to Switzerland, providing them with false documents and passes. For this commitment he posthumously receives the Gold Medal for the Resistance.
