Pope Francis leads Lenten penitential service in St.
Peter's
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Friday evening presided over
a penitential service in St. Peter's Basilica in anticipation of the ’24 Hours
for the Lord’ initiative.
During the service, the Holy Father celebrated the Sacrament
of Reconciliation for seven penitents with confession and individual
absolution.
These included three men and four women, all of whom were
lay people. A communique from the Holy See Press Office said the confessions
lasted a total of around 50 minutes.
The service took place one week before all churches around
the world are asked to offer the sacrament of Confession, a request made by the
Pontifical Council for the Promoting of the New Evangelization.
The theme of the initiative this year comes from the Gospel
according to Saint Matthew: ‘I desire Mercy’ (Mt 9:13).
On Friday 24th March, the churches of Santa Maria in
Trastevere and Le Stimmate di San Francesco will remain open from 8pm for
Confession and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
On Saturday 25th March, a service of thanksgiving will take
place at 5pm in the church of Santo Spirito in Sassia. Monsignor Rino
Fisichella, the President of the Pontifical Council for the Promoting of the
New Evangelization, will preside over First Vespers of the Fourth Sunday of
Lent.
People around the world can show their support for the
initiative by using the #24hoursfortheLord hashtag.
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