From staff reports
Pope Francis has a full schedule of Christmastime events planned for December and January, which includes the customary Baptism of newborn babies Jan. 13, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
Several Christmastime liturgies, both from the Vatican and Washington, D.C., will also be aired on Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) and Domestic Church Media, Ewing, with live and encore time slots.
On Dec. 24, Pope Francis will celebrate the Solemn Mass of Christmas Eve in St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome, at 9:30 p.m. EWTN will air the Mass live at 3:30 p.m. EST, and again at 4 a.m. Domestic Church Media will also air the broadcast live on its radio stations WFJS 1260 AM and 89.3 FM, as well as stream live at DomesticChurchMedia.org
Christmas Eve Midnight Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 p.m. Dec. 24 in the Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, aired live on EWTN, with an encore immediately following at 12 a.m. Midnight Mass from the Holy Land will also be aired on EWTN at 1 a.m.
On Dec. 25 at noon, Pope Francis will offer his Christmas message and blessing “urbi et orbi” (“to the city and the world”) from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. EWTN will air the message live at 6 a.m., 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. that day, with an encore Dec. 31 at 12:30 p.m. DCM will air the message live at 6 a.m.
Additionally, the Solemn Mass of Christmas Day will be celebrated in the Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, aired at noon on EWTN.
Pope Francis will open the new year Dec. 31 at 5 p.m. with first vespers for the feast of Mary, Mother of God, followed by Eucharistic Exposition, the singing of the “Te Deum” hymn of praise in thanksgiving for the year that is ending and Benediction. EWTN will air the vespers live at 11 a.m. and again at 4 p.m.
The Jan. 1 Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and for the World Day of Peace, will be celebrated by the Pope at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica. EWTN will air the Mass live at 4 a.m. with an encore at 12 p.m.
On Jan. 6, Feast of the Epiphany, Pope Francis will celebrate Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at 10 a.m. EWTN will air the Mass live at 4 a.m. and again at 12 p.m.
For more information and live streaming, check with your news and television providers, or visit ewtn.com or DomesticChurchMedia.org.