Indonesian Catholics pray for
“common home” during Marian month
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| An empty church in Indonesia amid a nationwide Covid-19 state of emergency (ANTARA FOTO) |
The Catholic Church of Indonesia launched the Marian month
of May with a live-streamed concelebrated Mass on May 1.
By Robin Gomes
Catholics throughout Indonesia are intensifying prayer for
our common home, the earth, during the Marian month of May, amid the Covid-19
pandemic.
Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo of Jakarta,
President of the Bishops' Conference of Indonesia (KWI), kicked off the month
of Mary on Friday with a concelebrated Mass. It was, live-streamed on YouTube
from the Cathedral of the Assumption in Jakarta.
Ahead of the Mass, the Rosary, highlighting Pope
Francis’ Encyclical
“Laudato si’”, was prayed with the carrying the statue of Our Lady
of All Ethnicities in procession.
Laudato si'
In the Encyclical, dated May 24, 2015, the Pope called for
swift action on climate change, among other issues. The Mass on May
1 both introduces the month of May and looks forward to “Laudato si’ Week” which runs from
16-24 May.
“We highlight the Pope’s Encyclical for the Rosary prayer as
we want to welcome “Laudato si’ Week”, Father Matius Harry
Sulistyo, Chairman of Jakarta Archdiocese’s Commission for Social
Communications, told UCA News.
“Laudato si’ Week” commemorates the fifth
anniversary of the Pope’s Encyclical. Sponsored by the Vatican
Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. The week is
meant to encourage Catholic communities to take bolder actions for creation
during the week-long initiative.
The theme of the week is “everything is connected”.
Pope Francis released a video message in March for
the "Laudato si’ Week" initiative,
inviting everyone to respond to the ecological crisis. He said that the
cry of the earth and the cry of the poor can no longer wait.
Father Sulistyo said that during the Marian month, all the
bishops will take turns to lead the Rosary prayer every evening. He said the
Rosary is a powerful prayer against the Covid-19 pandemic.
At the start of May, the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases
in Indonesia stood at 10,551 with 800 deaths. (Source: UCANEWS)
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