Spending time with the Lord

Mar 08, 2018

KUALA LUMPUR (Herald Malaysia): The Church offers us the Lenten practices of prayer, almsgiving and fasting which Pope Francis calls a “soothing remedy.” Prayer allows us to eradicate “secret lies” and “self-deception,” and we find “the consolation God offers,” he says. Almsgiving frees us from greed; it helps us regard others as brothers and sisters. “How I would like almsgiving to become a genuine style of life for each of us!” he says. Fasting “weakens our tendency to violence,” reviving “our desire to obey God,” who alone can satisfy our hunger.

For the fifth straight year, our Holy Father invited dioceses, parishes and communities to join him in participating in the initiative entitled 24 Hours for the Lord. This programme, organised by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation, was aimed at placing the Sacrament of Reconciliation once again at the centre of the pastoral activity of the Church.

This year, inspired by the words of Psalm 130:4, “With you is forgiveness”, the 24 hours with the Lord took place from Friday, March 9 to Saturday, March 10.

The Pope reminds us that although the flame of charity may die in our hearts, it never dies in God’s. After “Eucharistic adoration and sacramental confession,” he says that the “new fire” of the Easter Vigil, the light of Christ will enable us to listen to God’s word and nourish ourselves on the Eucharist, making our hearts “more ardent in faith, hope and love.”

“In each diocese, at least one church remains open for twenty-four consecutive hours, offering an opportunity for both Eucharistic adoration and sacramental confession.” (Pope Francis, 2018 Lenten Message)

During this season of Lent, Pope Francis tells us, “Lent summons us, and enables us, to come back to the Lord wholeheartedly and in every aspect of our life.”

In Rome, Pope Francis opened the initiative by presiding at a penitential celebration in St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday, March 9. Following the conclusion of this service, a number of churches throughout the City of Rome remained open for 24 hours, with confessors available and Eucharistic Adoration.

And this year for the first time, the initiative was also held in prisons in Italy.

It was the same for Malaysia too.

In Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese, the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist was open for prayer for the whole day.

Each week in March, some of our priests visit the prisons to preach the Word and hears confessions.

There are also some priests who bring the Sacrament of Reconciliation to the migrants.

In the Penang Diocese, the initiative took place at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. Bishop Sebastian Francis, in his letter to the clergy, religious and laity, had encouraged them to either join or organise one on their own.

In Malacca Johore Diocese, almost all the parishes organised the 24 hours for the Lord.

The Kuching Archdiocese organised the 24 hours for the Lord at the Cathedral of St Joseph. There was the Eucharistic Adoration with the Sacrament of Reconciliation

It was the same for the Diocese of Sibu, where it was held at Sacred Heart Cathedral.
In Miri Diocese, it will be held at the Carmelite Chapel from March 23 at 12.00 noon with Opening Mass and will end on Saturday, March 24 at 12.00 noon with Closing Mass.

In Sabah, the Diocese of Sandakan held it at the Cathedral of St Mary. The emphasis was on reconciliation, Stations of the Cross, various prayers and quiet time before the Blessed Sacrament.

For the Diocese of Keningau, as part of their preparation for their silver jubilee, confessions are held everyday and there is a 15-hour adoration every Wednesday at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at Rumah Retret Keuskupan Keningau in Tatal.

Other than the confessions at parishes during the season of Lent, Kota Kinabalu Archdiocese did not organise the 24 hours for the Lord. However, confessions will be offered to parents with infants and senior citizens at Sacred Heart Cathedral from March 19-21 from 8.30 am - 10.00 am.