Thousands gather for Holy Mass at Blessed Peter Torot Basilica

Over a thousand Catholic faithful from all over East New Britain, and the New Guinea Islands Region and many more from other protestant churches, turned up for a Holy Eucharist Mass at the Blessed Peter Torot Basilica at Rakunai earlier today.

The Basilica is a historical landmark that holds vivid memories of the martyr.

The Holy Mass today is a lead up program to the actual canonization of Blessed Peter Torot later on tonight at the Vatican.

With just a few hours to go before the canonization, the Basilica will be the focal point for three days of religious festivity, which will feature prayers, hymns, and homilies that resonate with the canonization of Blessed Peter Torot that will take place at the Vatican.

It's been almost 30 years since the church has been waiting for a decree to be passed by the Pope to allow the late blessed to be recognized as a saint.

Since the signing of the decree earlier this years and the declaration that followed, small but significant preparations have already started.

The declaration of Blessed Peter Torot’s elevation to Sainthood has been met with overwhelming jubilation within Rabaul’s Catholic Archdiocese, as demonstrated by the turnout at the Basilica earlier today.

Many who turned up for the morning’s mass say, they will return later this evening for the night’s program.