DAGUPAN City, Pangasinan, Mar. 3, 2015—Taking his cue from Pope Francis, Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan has declared Mar. 13-14 as “24 Ore per Il Signore” (“24 Hours for the Lord”).
Pope Francis leads Eucharistic Adoration at St. Peter's Basilica, June 2, 2013. Credit Alan Holdren/CNA.
“Let us stay united with the Holy Father in praying for a new era of mercy and compassion for the world,” he shares.
In a recent circular, the prelate, who also heads the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), confirms his episcopal see is scheduled to officially launch the 24 Hours of Prayer on March 13, Friday, 6:00 a.m., ending on March 14, Saturday, also at 6:00 a.m.
Rich in mercy
Themed “God rich in mercy” (Eph 2:4), the event will open with a Eucharistic celebration on March 13 and close with another the following day.
In his Lenten message, the Holy Father underlined the efficacy of collective adoration, inviting the worldwide faithful to mark March 13-14 as “24 Hours for the Lord.”
“Let us not underestimate the power of so many voices united in prayer! The 24 Hours for the Lord initiative, which I hope will be observed on 13-14 March throughout the Church, also at the diocesan level, is meant to be a sign of this need for prayer,” he said.
Solemn exposition
According to Villegas, the Blessed Sacrament will be on solemn exposition for 24 hours accompanied by the hearing of confessions in the same church.
He says Catholic schools of the Lingayen-Dagupan archdiocese will be assigned to hold adoration during class hours, while other lay organizations and Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) may be assigned the night hours.
He adds the Archdiocesan Liturgist will release the Holy Hour Adoration format for this intention.
The adoration churches per vicariate are as follows:
1. Santuario de San Juan in Dagupan City
2. Epiphany of the Lord Parish in Lingayen
3. Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Manaoag
4. Saint Dominic Parish in San Carlos City
5. Saint Vincent Ferrer in Bayambang.
Penance
Villegas stresses Vicars Forane in each vicariate must insure the regular presence of adorers round the clock and confessors available for the Sacrament of Penance.
For details, interested parties may visit http://www.novaevangelizatio.va/content/nvev/en/eventi/24-ore-per-il-signore-2015.html. (Raymond A. Sebastián/CBCP News)
