This evening, immediately after the 5.30pm Mass, there will be a public Rosary and time of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, marking the one-year anniversary of the 7 October attacks and the ensuing Israel-Gaza war.
Pope Francis, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem (Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa OFM), and Cardinal Vincent Nichols have called for the anniversary to be marked as a day of prayer and fasting, for peace.
In a message to the priests and people of the Diocese, Cardinal Nichols stated:
‘I should be grateful if you could respond to these requests from the Holy Father and the Patriarch in your parish. You will know best how to do that. As 7th October is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, it may be that a public recitation of the Rosary would be appropriate, or perhaps a time of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Those parishioners who are not able to participate in public prayers can be encouraged to pray the Rosary privately, or to mark Monday in some way as a fast day. Let us keep in our prayers all who are affected by the violence in the Middle East.’
Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us.
Our Lady, Queen of Peace, pray for us.
The Latin Patriarch’s message can be read here.