Bishop Calls for Holy Hour for Peace in Parishes

Parishes across the Diocese of Fall River will offer a Holy Hour for Peace during the period beginning Monday, March 9, and continuing through Monday, March 23, at a time and date to be determined by the parish. All are invited to attend any of the holy hours to join their prayers for peace with those of others gathered for these communal services.

Those interested in participating should check the bulletins, websites, and social media of parishes in their area for dates and times as these holy hours are scheduled by parishes and information is announced. The Diocesan website will also provide the specifics for each parish as the schedules are made available.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., asked pastors throughout the Diocese to offer these Holy Hours of Peace. The Bishop’s request follows a call earlier this year from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for such a holy hour “as a moment of renewal for our hearts and our nation” and from a more recent plea from Conference leadership for the continuation of “ardent prayers for peace in the Middle East.”

“I understand how elusive peace seems in our world right now, and I know that so many of our faithful people recognize the urgent need to turn to prayer to end division and conflict and to foster peace,” Bishop da Cunha said.

He also noted a recent experience that prompted him to request the holy hours.

In a virtual meeting last week with diocesan and parish staff from around Diocese, Bishop da Cunha invited everyone to enter in the chat feature one thing they wanted to pray for in the opening prayer.

“By far the most frequent intention was for peace,” Bishop da Cunha said. “Upon reflection, I thought it important for our parishes to provide an opportunity for people to do that, to come together as a community of faith to pray for peace.”

Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly called for prayers for peace in the Middle East. After praying the Angelus in St Peter’s Square on Sunday (March 8), the Pope spoke about the situation in the region, saying “news continues to arrive that causes deep dismay.”  He invited his listeners to pray that “the roar of bombs might cease, that weapons might fall silent, and that a space for dialogue might open, in which the voice of the peoples may be heard.”

A liturgical guide for the Holy Hour for Peace has been provided to parishes in the Diocese.

Bishop da Cunha said, “Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace, and I pray that we, as a Church, may be an instrument of Christ’s peace.”

In his invitation for nationwide Holy Hours for Peace, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ President Archbishop Paul S. Coakley said, “Let us pray for reconciliation where there is division, for justice where there are violations of fundamental rights, and for consolation for all who feel overwhelmed by fear or loss.”

HOLY HOURS FOR PEACE SCHEDULE

Additional parish Holy Hours for Peace will listed as the information is provided.
Please check back for an updated listing.

Diocese of Fall River

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