I have sent request to Vatican for tickets for my family of 3 in September. I have received a letter from Vatican in October saying " we regret to inform you that due to limited number available inside the Basilica, your request is not possible"... Have further advised to follow large video screens outside the Basilica.
I would like to know if there are still other way to get tickets to attend Christmas Eve Mass inside the Basilica even if they have not granted me on my mail request.
This is a difficult thing. Most of the tickets go to friends of the Church: Vatican families, local parishes, diplomats and other officials. Try to go through your local archbishop.
Let me add that for tickets to any well-attended function at the Vatican one should write to the person who heads up the diocese be he a bishop, archbishop, or cardinal, & do it at least a year in advance of the event if possible (or ASAP as soon as you hear of the event.)
Also, many priests I have known over the years have studied at the Vatican. If you know a former Vatican student, use him as a resource, too.
I went to Easter Mass with a friend who arranged it through her parish then Bishop. NO problem! You might try santasusanna.org It's late in the game, but it's the American branch of the Catholic Curch in Rome. The website says you can get tickets through them. St. Peters outdoors has a place for 100k people, so don't give up!!!
I must respectfully disagree with Donna. I thought Santa Susanna would be a possible solution but found this on their site:
Please do not ask us for tickets to the Christimas, Holy Week, Easter, Canonization or any other Masses and services at the which the Pope is the Presider. We are not able to acquire these tickets for you, only for the Wednesday audiences.
The bishop/archbishop/cardinal route is a better bet. Or out in the square with everyone else!
Request tickets from the Pontifical College of North America: http://www.pnac.org/visitorsoffice/audiences/#papalmass
If you are in Dubai wouldn't it be better to contact the Church in Dubai rather than the USA?
Gee, Nigel, there you go with pesky little details! My bad for assuming this was a U.S. person. :-) Maybe I should read.....
Surely contacting someone who cares in Dubai is better.
Thank you, Samsn. I could use that information. Just skip the Galveston-Houston Diocese & go straight to the Pontifical College.
