Cardinal Rylko, president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, is the new archpriest of the basilica of saint Mary Major

Cardinal Rylko had led the Pontifical Council for the Laity from 2003 until it ceased to exist on September 2016. Pope Francis named the Polish Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko  to the post of archpriest of the basilica of saint Mary Major on last December.

Shalom Community missionaries from the missions of Rome and Civita Castellana and many members of New Communities were in the Basilica in Rome for the Celebration of the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, the feast of Christ “light of the people” which is also known as Candlemas day, as a blessing and a procession of candles is included in the liturgy.  .

Cardinal Rylko in his homily spoke about the importance to leave the light of Jesus enlight our heart and take us out from the darkness of a selfish life. He invited everyone to pray for the light of Jesus to reach the world and to bring the real peace to the people.

At the end he thanked everyone in the Church and asked prayers for his new functions as the archpriest of this important Basilica.