Cardinal Seán Brady welcomes Ireland’s participation in the Worldwide Eucharistic Adoration
This Sunday, the Feast of Corpus Christi in Ireland, cathedrals and parishes throughout the island – North and South – will mark this Year of Faith with an hour of Eucharistic Adoration in their local churches. At 4.00pm (5.00pm Rome time) the Universal Church will be synchronised with Rome in prayerful communion with Pope Francis as part of this Worldwide Eucharistic Adoration. Archbishop Eamon Martin, Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh, will be representing Irish bishops in Saint Peter’s Basilica for this special liturgical event.
Cardinal Brady said, “The proposal of Pope Francis to hold a Worldwide Eucharistic Adoration as part of this Year of Faith is a wonderful idea: for one hour the faithful of the world are invited to be united in prayer. Adoration of the Eucharist reminds us of the importance of the Sacrament of the Eucharist in our faith, a faith which will lead us to bring the message of Christ to our homes, our families, our communities and our world. This opportunity for Eucharistic Adoration brings to mind the theme of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress held in Ireland last year: ‘The Eucharist: Communion with Christ and with one another’.”
Cardinal Brady continued, “Eucharistic Adoration is a period of time set aside for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament which Catholics believe is the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in Holy Communion. I encourage the faithful to attend their local church on Sunday afternoon and to pray before the exposed Blessed Sacrament for the specific intentions that Pope Francis has set out for this Worldwide Eucharistic Adoration.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors
- The Worldwide Eucharistic Adoration will be broadcast from Saint Peter’s Basilica this Sunday 2 June from 4.00 – 5.00pm Irish time (5.00 – 6.00pm Rome time). Its theme is ‘One Lord, One Faith’. This is the first such event in the history of the Church and the faithful are asked to pray for the following intentions which have been proposed by Pope Francis:
1) “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.”
2) “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.”
- Those wishing to attend their local church to participate in this Worldwide Eucharistic Adoration at 4.00pm on Sunday should see their local parish and/or diocesan website for details.
- Cardinal Seán Brady is Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland.
ENDS
For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long 00353 (0) 86 172 7678
