Two major trips, one to the northeast, the other heading south and west, both involving Pope Benedict XVI, stand out in Bishop Larry Silva’s busy 2008 calendar.
He will be among his fellow American bishops welcoming the Holy Father on his first trip to the United States, April 15-20, and participating at various papal events. Pope Benedict will visit Washington where he will meet President Bush, and New York where he will speak at the United Nations. Two public stadium Masses, one in each city, will be among the dozen or so other scheduled papal events.
Bishop Silva will also go to Sydney, Australia, for World Youth Day, July 15-20, a Catholic gathering of young people from around the world making a pilgrimage of faith, building bridges of friendship and hope across continents and cultures. The pope will participate, celebrating the Mass that culminates the event.
The rest of Bishop Silva’s year will be full of the normal episcopal duties — four chrism Masses, about 30 confirmation ceremonies, and the standard list of annual feasts and celebrations.
Several events this year will commemorate the 125th anniversary of the arrival of Blessed Marianne Cope to the islands, including her feast day Mass on Jan. 23, and the anniversary Mass on Nov. 8.