Dear brothers and sisters,
I thank you for the many ways that you are providing for the needs of all in your care. I appreciate your creativity and dedication at this time. I wanted to let you know about some special prayer and liturgy opportunities starting with today’s Solemnity of the Annunciation:
Pope Francis has asked that the Christian faithful join him in reciting the “Our Father” on the Solemnity of the Annunciation (tomorrow, March 25), as “humanity trembles at the threat” of the coronavirus pandemic “in these days of trial.” He will be offering the prayer at noon in Rome, 7 a.m. in our Archdiocese. As it is the Feast of the Annunciation, We will celebrate Holy Mass at noon from the Chancery, after which Bishop Shlesinger will rededicate the Archdiocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary (a patroness). Below you will find the Act of Rededication which can be used and which will also appear on the Archdiocesan website.
We have been offering a novena to Saint Joseph, beginning on March 19, by joining in the Litany of St. Joseph, which is available on the Archdiocese website. The common use of the litany as a novena will extend through Friday, March 27.
Additionally, Pope Francis invites Catholics from all over the world to join spiritually in prayer with him Friday, March 27 at 1 p.m. in Atlanta, 6 p.m. in Rome. The ceremony will consist in readings from the Scriptures, prayers of supplication, and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and will conclude with Pope Francis giving the Urbi et orbi Blessing, with the possibility of gaining a plenary indulgence for all those who listen to it live through the various forms of communication.
All those who spiritually join this moment of prayer through the media will be granted the plenary indulgence according to the conditions provided for in the recent decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary.
