What’s Happening In Archdiocesan Schools
Following the Death of the Pope and During the Election Process

In the event of the death of Pope John Paul II, the Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Chicago will participate in the memorializing and mourning the loss of this great leader of the Catholic Church.

On the day of Pope John Paul II’s death, the Office of Catholic Schools will communicate to all schools the fact of the pope’s death and prayer services for schools to utilize for each day of mourning. There are seven prayer services based on themes that highlight major contributions of the Holy Father to Catholic life. The themes are the following:

SEVEN DAYS OF PRAYER

• Prayer on the Day of the Death Pope John Paul II
• Day Two
  Prayer The Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary
• Day Three
  Prayer Litany of Holy People Blessed or Canonized by Pope John Paul II
• Day Four
  Prayer Pope John Paul II and Youth
• Day Five
  Prayer Pope John Paul II and Eucharist
• Day Six
  Prayer Pope John Paul II and Global Unity
• Day Seven
  Prayer Pope John Paul II and Human Dignity

For each of the prayer services schools will have memorial tables of the Holy Father that include his image, symbols of the Christian journey (Bible, votive candle, crucifix, rosary, bowl with incense, water). During each day of the mourning period students will add other symbols to the table to mark the focus of the prayer for the day. Schools may also decorate the entrance of the building with yellow and white bunting (papal colors) or purple bunting (mourning).

On the day of the Pope John Paul II’s funeral and burial all schools will be in session so that students can view the liturgy held in Rome. They are also encouraged to attend a memorial Mass on that day, or, continue the prayer services as listed above.

After the period of mourning, schools will pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the selection of a new pontiff. Students will learn about the procedures for the election of a Pope and keep abreast of the news in this process.

This is for Catholic schools and parishes a “teachable moment” about the leadership of the pope, the pageantry of mourning, the Christian hope of resurrection on the day of burial, and the process of election.

School principals will inform the Office of Catholic Schools if they have particularly special pageantry involved in the days following the death of the Holy Father. That information will be posted on the Archdiocesan web site.

John Paul II: A Light for the Nations A 60 minute documentary produced on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his priesthood, this video is an intimate portrait of the life and ministry of the Holy Father as seen through the eyes of childhood friends and church leaders. Funded by the Catholic Communications Campaign. Chicago Catholic Television system that is broadcasted only to connected high schools starting on WednesdayAvailable at the top of each hour from 7a.m. to 9p.m. on the April 5 until further notice. For more information contact: Bro. Ed Howe CR Archdiocese of Chicago Office of Radio & Television 155 E. Superior Chicago, IL 60611 312..8374 312..5307 fax ehowe@archchicago.org