Cathedral to host healing prayer service
Events
An ecumenical and multifaith prayer service will be held in St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral on Wednesday March 30, in response to conflicts in Ukraine and other parts of the world, and the devastating impact of extreme weather events.
Healing Prayers for a Wounded World is a joint initiative of Churches Together South Australia, Multifaith South Australia and Religions for Peace Australia.
Catholic Archbishop of Adelaide Patrick O’Regan invited “people of all cultures and faiths” to come and pray for peace and justice at this time of “acute crisis”.
The Adelaide service follows calls from Pope Francis for people around the world to join him in prayers on March 25 when he consecrates Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The act of consecration places the warring countries under the protection of Mary, the Mother of Christ, trusting in the power of her intercession. Such an act looks towards God, the source of all peace, and seeks God’s peace through Mary.
“Acting as the Universal Pastor of the Church, Pope Francis will renew the consecration urged at Fatima more than 100 years ago,” Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Mark Coleridge said.
“The bishops of Australia are united with the Holy Father as he leads the faithful around the world in this act of consecration and we invite all people to join us in praying for peace in Ukraine.”
Pope Francis will perform the act of consecration in Rome at 5pm, which will be the middle of the night in Australia.
“We urge people to spend part of their day on March 25 in prayer – attending Mass, praying with family or friends, in silent prayer at a local parish or chapel or in whatever way you can,” Archbishop Coleridge said.
Archbishop Coleridge said the feast of the Annunciation, when the Church celebrates Mary’s “yes” to the call of God, is a good day for the consecration, a day when the world says “yes” to the call of peace.
“Next Friday we stop and turn to Jesus the Prince of Peace, who tells us that peace is possible in a world so badly wounded by war in Ukraine and elsewhere,” he said.
“Thousands have died, millions have fled and millions more are living in fear. We raise our hearts, our minds and our voices to God for an end to this horrific violence and destruction.”
The Healing Prayers for a Wounded World prayer service will be held at 7.30pm on March 30 in the Cathedral, Wakefield St, Adelaide. Book via www.trybooking.com/BYFHE
Jump to next article
Comments
Show comments Hide comments