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All the churches of the world will join the Pope in simultaneous prayer on 2 June. The event will mark a historic moment in the Year of Faith

by Vatican Insider | Source:

Rome
On 2 June, cathedrals and churches across the world will organize an hour of Eucharistic adoration, coinciding with 5 and 6 pm Rome time, to join Pope Francis in prayer. This event is part of the Year of Faith and this is "the first time in the history of the Church," it is taking place, said Mgr. Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelisation.

 
   The monsignor said Elena Guerra, an Italian nun, had attempted to organise a worldwide, simultaneous Eucharistic adoration back in the early 1900s and even exchanged correspondence with Pope Leo XIII.

   The event was presented in the Vatican newsroom by Mgr. Fisichella and the secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelisation, José Octavio Ruiz Arenas. The initiative was presented alongside the "Evangelicum vitae" meeting which will take place on 16 June at 10:30. The Pope will lead the meeting, which aims to show the Church’s commitment to promoting, respecting and defending the dignity of human life, Mgr. Fisichella said.

   The Vatican's spokesman, Fr. Federico Lombardi, stated that the Pope is not expected to give a speech or send out a public message during the Eucharistic adoration as the event is intended as a time for prayer. A booklet containing some prayers prepared by Popes for Eucharist adoration will be distributed on the day, Fr. Lombardi emphasised.

 
   Mgr. Ruiz Arenas stressed the importance of ecclesial communion and the universality of the Church in the prayer session that is being organised across the world, even in Alaska. When asked whether the Chinese Church would be taking part, Mgr. Fisichella said efforts were being made to get it to participate: "we are in touch and there is mediation going on to ensure confidentiality while we wait for a reply," he said.

 
   Mgr. Fisichella informed that so far, the Year of Faith events have brought approximately 4.300.000 pilgrims to Rome. But this figure is constantly changing. Tomorrow, for example, there will be 90.000 more, attending the Pope's General Audience.