Aizawl: Catholic educational institutions in the Aizawl diocese remained closed on Tuesday to mourn the passing of Pope Francis, following a communique from Most Rev Stephen Rotluanga, Bishop of Aizawl Diocese. The announcement declared a nine-day mourning period (Novemdiales), as directed by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), in accordance with Catholic traditions upon the death of a pope.
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The Bishop said it is customary for the church to organise prayer services on the day of the funeral. "If it is a working day, the institutions will organise prayer service for the departed soul of the Supreme Pontiff in the respective institutions," he said.
During the mourning period, all institutions will fly their flags, including the Vatican flag, at half-mast, while portraits of Pope Francis will be displayed in local churches and institutions. Faithful members have been encouraged to recite the rosary or divine mercy chaplet for nine consecutive days, he added.
The Bishop also announced that a special requiem mass will be held at Christ the King Cathedral Parish in Kulikawn on the day of Pope Francis' funeral. Priests, religious leaders, and all faithful are invited to attend. Christ the King Cathedral, Mizoram's first Catholic parish, was built in 1927, marking a historical significance.