24 HOURS FOR THE LORD 2018

Reported by: DaliusLL
Photos by: Lovink and Team

“Above all, I urge the members of the Church to take up the Lenten journey with enthusiasm, sustained by almsgiving, fasting and prayer. If, at times, the flame of charity seems to die in our own hearts, know that this is never the case in the heart of God! He constantly gives us a chance to begin loving anew.

One such moment of grace will be, again this year, the “24 Hours for the Lord” initiative, which invites the entire Church community to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the context of Eucharistic adoration. In 2018, inspired by the words of Psalm 130:4, “With you is forgiveness,” this will take place from Friday, 9 March to Saturday, 10 March. In each diocese, at least one church will remain open for twenty-four consecutive hours, offering an opportunity for both Eucharistic adoration and sacramental confession.”(Pope Francis, 2018 Lenten Message)

For a third straight year, “24 Hours for the Lord” is a worldwide initiative called for by Pope Francis to invite the entire church community to pray for a Worldwide Peace through Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. St. Mary's Cathedral being the mother church of Sandakan Diocese responded to the Pontiff's call to open its door 24 hours for the common intention.

For St. Mary's Cathedral, the prayer commenced right after the Station of the Cross, marked by the Eucharistic celebration at 6.00 pm on Friday, 9th March, and concluded the next day at 6.00 pm, Saturday, 10th March with Sunset Mass.

In the Opening Mass on Friday, His Lordship Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom shared that it is the Holy Father’s wish that in every part of the world, the merciful, forgiving presence of Jesus be manifested during this 24-hour period through Eucharistic Adoration and Sacrament of Penance. He also emphasized the importance of peace that should start from our hearts, within the family, as well as to pray for peace in our country and throughout the world. With that, he ended his homily where peace means we pray towards one another, particularly we pray for conversion around the world.

The Parish Liturgical Committee has assigned a schedule to the various ministries, communities and groupings in the parish to take turns on an hourly basis to lead the prayer and was well attended for a 24-hour event in the Cathedral.