“I am delighted to respond to such a wonderful initiative called for by Pope Francis. To quote Pope Francis: ‘no one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord’.” – Bishop Denis Nulty
The Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin is responding to the ‘24 Hours for the Lord’ initiative called for by Pope Francis, by hosting 24 hours of prayer and reconciliation in the Parish of Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, from 5.00pm on Friday 28 March until 5.00pm on Saturday 29 March.
The ‘24 Hours for the Lord’ event will commence with a holy hour at 5.00pm in St. Andrew’s Church, Bagenalstown. It will continue for 24 hours, and will include periods of Eucharistic Adoration, quiet times of prayer and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Priests from across the diocese will be available during each hour of the 24 hour period to hear confessions, and to accompany people as they pray.
Commenting ahead of the event, Bishop Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin said: “I am delighted to respond to such a wonderful initiative called for by Pope Francis. What we are doing in Bagenalstown, Pope Francis will be doing in Rome – leading prayer and offering confession – Pope Francis has described the initiative as a ‘celebration of forgiveness’ which will happen in dioceses across the world”.
In his Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) Pope Francis invites:
“… all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since “no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord”.
“The Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin is offering this ‘24 Hours for the Lord’ to the people of the diocese as a Lenten Diocesan Reach-Out gift, similar to the annual Advent Diocesan Reach-Out gift. It is a gift which will make a profound difference in the lives of those who take up the invitation to be open to God’s love and mercy.”
Bishop Denis Nulty concluded: “I am extending a personal invitation to parishioners across the diocese to join us in Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, and to be present for some of these 24 hours for Jesus Christ. All are welcome to this Festival of Forgiveness!”
Ends
Notes to Editors:
- Background to ’24 Hours for the Lord’ initiative
The Pontifical Council for promoting the new Evangelisation wrote to dioceses across the world in February of this year, inviting them to take part in the initiative. Pope Francis suggested that the dates of 29-30 March should be the days on which the ’24 hours for the Lord’ are held. It was suggested to dioceses that people should be able to find special opportunities during these days for prayer and the Sacrament of reconciliation. Pope Francis himself will be participating in the initiative and is expected to hear confessions. The event will begin in Rome in the Vatican with a liturgical celebration in Saint Peter’s Basilica on Friday afternoon.
- Bishop Denis Nulty will participate in the holy hour on Friday 28 March and will be present for the first few hours of the event. He will return in the early hours of Saturday morning.
- Media who would like to attend are invited to do so on Friday evening at 4.45pm.
- Saint Andrew’s Church in Bagenalstown is the venue for ‘24 Hours for the Lord’.
- See www.kandle.ie for more information
For media contact: Father Mícheál Murphy + 353 (0) 86 824 4629 and Brenda Drumm + 353 (0) 87 310 4444.
