In dioceses throughout the country this weekend, members of the faithful are encouraged to participate in the ‘24 Hours for the Lord’ prayer initiative of Pope Francis so as to experience the Lord’s loving mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and to find opportunities for prayer. 24 hours of continuous Confession will be provided in designated churches and details will be available on diocesan websites.
During their Spring General Meeting which took place in Maynooth this week, the bishops encouraged the faithful to participate, as part of our Lenten journey, in the ‘24 Hours for the Lord’ initiative in their diocese. Catholics are also encouraged to read Pope Francis’ message for Lent 2018 on the theme Because of the increase of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold (Mt 24: 12). The message is available with additional online resources on https://www.catholicbishops.ie/2018/02/13/lent-2018/. As we journey through the season of Lent let us remember “God never tires of forgiving us” (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium The Joy of the Gospel). The call to renewal in our Christian life is a central part of our preparation for Easter and bishops ask the faithful to offer up their fasting, prayer, reading of Scripture and works of mercy during Lent for the grace of spiritual renewal.
This weekend during the ‘24 Hours for the Lord’, bishops ask the faithful to offer prayers for the protection of life from the moment of conception until natural death on Saturday, and on Sunday, which is Mothers’ Day, in thanksgiving for mothers and motherhood in Ireland.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
- Lent is the most solemn season for the Catholic Church and it culminates in the high-point of our liturgical calendar: Easter Sunday. For the believer Lent is the time of preparation for Easter. Through prayer, penance (including participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession), acts of charity and self-denial we are called to renewal of our Christian life in preparation for Easter.
For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long 00353 (0) 86 172 7678 and Katie Crosby 00353 (0) 86 862 3298