FRIDAYS OF MAY - DAYS OF PRAYER IN REPARATION AND ATONEMENT

Reparation and Atonement for Sex Abuse in the Church

On every Friday morning in May there will be an additional Mass in the Conventual Church at 11 am, celebrated by the Hospital Chaplain, followed by a period of Exposition of the most Blessed Sacrament, concluding with Benediction at 4 pm.

This is in response to the Bishops of England and Wales urgent encouragement for Catholics to keep the Fridays of May as times for Special Prayer in reparation and atonement for the crimes of sex abuse in the Catholic Church. 

“We invite Catholics in England and Wales to make the four Fridays in May 2010 special days of prayer. Even when we are lost for words, we can place ourselves in silent prayer. 
We invite Catholics on these days to come before the Blessed Sacrament in our parishes to pray to God for healing, forgiveness and a renewed dedication. 
We pray for all who have suffered abuse; for those who mishandled these matters and added to the suffering of those affected. From this prayer we do not exclude those who have committed these sins of abuse. They have a journey of repentance and atonement to make. 
We pray also for Pope Benedict, whose wise and courageous leadership is so important for the Church at this time.”

Anyone able to be present is most keenly encouraged to join in this important work on prayer on behalf of the whole Church.