For the second year in a row, Pope Francis will preside over a Lenten service and hear confessions at a parish in Rome.
FR. DONATO LE PERA
Pastor, St. Pius V Parish
A few days ago when Monsignor Fisichella, the pro-prefect of Dicastery for Evangelization, came here and proposed this initiative with the presence of Pope, of course, I accepted it with great pleasure because having the Holy Father here is a wonderful thing for our community. Especially because we will pray together with him before the Lord and ask for the Lord's forgiveness together as a community. The two basic things of a Christian life: worshiping the Lord and asking for forgiveness.
This year, the Pope will travel just under 2 miles behind the Vatican to a modern Church. Built in 1952, St. Pius V is the place where Pope Francis will celebrate this 24 Hours for the Lord prayer service and, for a few lucky people, hear their confessions.
FR. DONATO LE PERA
Pastor, St. Pius V Parish
There will be 10 people who will confess: 5 we chose from our community and 5 the Dicastery for Evangelization have chosen. I tried to choose people who need encouragement, who want to restart their journey after a difficult situation or simply because they feel the need for reconciliation.
Fr. Donato says the church can hold about 600 people. But there have been more requests than seats available. He explains this initiative is important because it builds on a challenge Pope Francis made many years ago.
POPE FRANCIS
September 9, 2015
Always with open doors. The churches, the parishes, the institutions with closed doors cannot be called churches, they must be called museums.
FR. DONATO LE PERA
Pastor, St. Pius V Parish
When the Pope talks about the outgoing Church, he is the first one to make this gesture of going out of the Vatican and meeting with a community, even if for a short time. But, it is nice that it is done in an atmosphere of prayer. Praying with the Pope before the Lord strengthens our unity in the Church, with the Lord and with the Pope.
Pope Francis will only be present for the prayer service launching this event at 4:30pm on March 8. But it will last a full 24 hours as churches around the world will keep their doors open and have confessions available for anyone who wants it.
KG
