From Vietnam to Iceland, from New Zealand to Chile, from Honolulu to Hove, thousands of dioceses and parishes around the world came to a stop between 5.00 and 6.00pm Rome time, and millions of people knelt and joined in prayer in front of the Blessed Eucharist.
For the first time ever cathedrals, parish churches, monasteries, religious houses etc throughout the world were invited to join in the simultaneous Eucharistic adoration, led by Pope Francis from the high altar of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
A part of the Year of Faith initiatives, Pope Francis
spelt out the two-fold objectives of this unique occasion.
First, it was to be a sign
of unity for the Church throughout the world, so that, obedient to the word of
the Lord, she may be “more beautiful, without
spot and wrinkle, but holy and without blemish”.
And second, that the Church
will comfort and support the needy, including victims of wars, human
trafficking, drug trafficking, ‘slave labour’ and all those subject to
violence, as well as those deprived of material security (especially the
unemployed, the elderly, immigrants, prisoners, the homeless and those who are
marginalised).
During the ceremony the
Pope included prayers from each of the past six Popes, beginning with Pope Pius
XII and concluding with Pope Benedict XVI. The Holy Hour ended in Rome - and in
Hove - with solemn benediction with the Blessed Sacrament.
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