Port Blair, May 31: The Catholics of Port Blair Diocese to join the global prayer with Pope to mark the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ at 8.30p.m on Sunday. While Pope Francis will preside over the prayer in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, dioceses across the global will create history by simultaneously organizing the prayer in local Parishes.
In India, Parishes will join the holy hour at 8.30p.m on Sunday, to coincide with the Roman Clock (5pm local time.)
According to Cardinal Gracias, while simultaneously prayers have been conducted across continents on previous occassions, this is the first time in the history of the church that all parishes under every diocease across the world will conduct prayers simultaneously.
The feast of the Body and Blood of the Lord, also known as the feast of the Corpus Christi, is observed to commomorate Jesus Christ’s suffering, with bread and wine that symbolize his body and blood.
The Cardinal Gracias adds “this prayer is not only to mark the feast but to also celebrate the year of Faith and the 50th anniversary of the second Vatican Council and also feels “While these intentions are universal, they hold a special significance for our country, given how women are being treated and the stark divide between the rich and the poor,”.
The Pope has also specified that the prayer focuses on peace, poverty alleviation and respect of women.
The Catholic Diocese of Port Blair is organizing Eucharistic Adoration/Holy Hour from 8.30p.m to 9.30p.m on Sunday to focus on the Eucharist and Dignity of Human Life and pray on theme “One Lord,One Faith” proposed by the Holy Father. All are invited to join together to pray for the Holy Father’s Intentions.
