I’m obviously excited about this amazing opportunity to be in prayer with the Pope and all my fellow Catholic brothers and sisters for a holy hour. What an awesome way to kick off Corpus Christi, the Feast of the Body and Blood of our Lord. Coming before our Eucharistic Lord is what being Catholic is all about.
In my personal prayer life it’s in Eucharistic Adoration—face-to-face with Jesus—that I can recenter myself on Him. The same is true for us as a Church. This is more than just prayer, it’s a refocusing of the entire Church on Christ. Although He has always been the center of all we say and do as Catholics, it will serve as a reminder to those who have forgotten. It’s a rallying call, bringing all the “troops” together to prepare for battle.
Praying with the Pope
Pope Francis has set forth specific prayer intentions with which the Universal Church is to join with him. We are to bring these prayers to the feet of Jesus, our intercessor to the Father.
1. For Unity
“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
2. For the Suffering
“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.”
~ Pope Francis
Here in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, we will gather at the Cathedral Our Lady of the Angels on Sunday, June 2nd from 8:00-9:00am. For more information about this historic event and how you can be a part of it visit the Year of Faith website.