Santiago, Chile, Sep 25, 2005 / 22:00 pm
More than 20,000 people are expected to participate in a vigil on October 22, the eve of the canonization of Father Alberto Hurtado, at the saint-to-be’s shrine in Santiago. The Chilean priest will be canonized on October 23 by Pope Benedict XVI at St. Peter’s in Rome.
According to organizers of the vigil, the faithful will begin to gather around 10pm local time on Saturday, October 22, in the plaza facing Father Hurtado’s shrine. The prayer vigil will be led by Bishop Gonzalo Duarte of Valparaiso.
On October 23 at 10am, thousands of families will participate in a Mass at the shrine in thanksgiving for the future saint’s canonization.
The executive secretary of the Commission for the Canonization of Blessed Hurtado, Father Cristian Precht, noted that during the entire month of October will be a month of joy for Chileans in honor of the famous priest who “invites all to travel on the road to sanctity with him.”