Rome (Italy). On 17 and 18 March 2023, for the tenth edition, the Lenten initiative “24 hours for the Lord” returns, a time dedicated to prayer of adoration and the sacrament of Reconciliation, this year inspired by the words of the Gospel of Luke, “O God, have mercy on me a sinner” (Lk 18:13).
In preparation for the Easter of the Resurrection, the churches will remain open for a whole day, to offer the faithful and pilgrims the opportunity to stop at any time in adoration and the opportunity to go to confession. The open doors of churches are a symbol of God’s merciful love.
On Sunday 12 March, after the Angelus, Pope Francis recalled the event thus, underlining the current reasons:
“A year ago, in this context, we performed the solemn Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, invoking the gift of peace. Our entrustment does not fail, hope does not waver! The Lord always listens to the pleas that His people address to Him through the intercession of the Virgin Mother. Let us remain united in faith and solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are suffering because of the war; above all let us not forget the martyred Ukrainian people!”.
The Holy Father announced that on Friday 17 he will go to a Roman parish for the penitential celebration. At 16:30, in fact, he will preside over the Celebration in the Parish of Santa Maria delle Grazie al Trionfale, which will be broadcast in live streaming.
Renewing the proposal to Dioceses and Parishes – in Italy and in the world – to celebrate the moment of prayer also in their own Community, the Dicastery for Evangelization has published a pastoral aid which contains modules for personal prayer and suggestions for community celebration. The subsidy, published by the Shalom Publishing House, can be purchased in the paper version in bookstores and online stores, while in the English, Spanish, and Portuguese versions it can be downloaded from the Dicastery’s website.
