(Vatican Radio/ VIS) From the Cook Islands to Chile, Burkina Faso, Taiwan, Iraq,
Bangladesh, the United States, and the Philippines, people will unite in prayer with
Pope Francis this weekend before One Lord and in One faith, for an hour of Eucharistic
Adoration.
The Worldwide Eucharistic Adoration, will be broadcast from
St. Peter’s Basilica next Sunday, 2 June from 5:00pm-6:00pm local time. Its theme
is: “One Lord, One Faith”, which was chosen to testify to the deep unity that characterizes
it in this Year of Faith.
“It will be an event,” Archbishop Fisichella
president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization, explained,
“occurring for the first time in the history of the Church, which is why we can describe
it as ‘historical’. The cathedrals of the world will be synchronized with Rome and
will, for an hour, be in communion with the Pope in Eucharistic adoration. There has
been an incredible response to this initiative, going beyond the cathedrals and involving
episcopal conferences, parishes, lay associations, and religious congregations, especially
cloistered ones.”
Dioceses worldwide will be synchronized with St. Peter’s
and will pray for the intentions proposed by the Pope. The first is: “For the Church
spread throughout the world and united today in the adoration of the Most Holy Eucharist
as a sign of unity. May the Lord make her ever more obedient to hearing his Word in
order to stand before the world ‘ever more beautiful, without stain or blemish, but
holy and blameless.’ That through her faithful announcement, the Word that saves may
still resonate as the bearer of mercy and may increase love to give full meaning to
pain and suffering, giving back joy and serenity.”
Pope Francis’ second
intention is: “For those around the world who still suffer slavery and who are victims
of war, human trafficking, drug running, and slave labour. For the children and women
who are suffering from every type of violence. May their silent scream for help be
heard by a vigilant Church so that, gazing upon the crucified Christ, she may not
forget the many brothers and sisters who are left at the mercy of violence. Also,
for all those who find themselves in economically precarious situations, above all
for the unemployed, the elderly, migrants, the homeless, prisoners, and those who
experience marginalization. That the Church’s prayer and its active nearness give
them comfort and assistance in hope and strength and courage in defending human dignity.”