VisionTV presents Christmas Mass from the Vatican on Dec. 24

TORONTO , Dec. 14 /CNW/ - Canadians from coast to coast can once again watch this year's Christmas Mass from the Vatican on basic cable service VisionTV.

Canada's multi-faith and multicultural channel presents this special two-hour broadcast on Christmas Eve ( Thursday, Dec. 24 ) at Midnight ET / 9 p.m. PT .

Pope Benedict XVI presides over this annual celebration at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The joyous service includes hymns, prayers and a homily by the pontiff.

Thousands of Roman Catholics attend the ceremony, which is televised in more than 40 countries around the world.

In his 2008 Christmas homily, Benedict called upon believers to pray for peace in the land of Christ's birth, and to help end the suffering of the world's abused and exploited children. "In every child we see something of the Child of Bethlehem," he said. "Every child asks for our love."

On Friday, Dec. 25 , the VisionTV series Daily Mass also presents a special hour-long Christmas Mass from St. Michael's Cathedral in Toronto . The Daily Mass Christmas Special airs at 8 a.m. and Noon ET / 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. PT .

Daily Mass is produced by the National Catholic Broadcasting Council.

* For more information on VisionTV programming, please visit www.visiontv.ca

* To see full programs and exclusive clips, check out http://video.visiontv.ca/

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* Check out VisionTV on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/VisionTV2

For further information: Media Contact: David Todd, Media Relations Manager, VisionTV, Phone: [phone], ext. 207, Email: [email protected]