I wrote in this blog on Thursday last about the request from Pope Benedict XVI that every diocese and every parish in every country of the world would celebrate in union with him the Vigil for All Nascent Human Life that he will be leading in Rome on Saturday next, 27 November. I mentioned that Archbishop Diarmuid Martin will be answering the Pope’s call, with prayers in Dublin’s Pro-Cathedral at 4 pm next Saturday.While Bishops, worldwide, are announcing the individual arrangements in their own particular area for the Vigil, it is not exactly easy to find out what is happening in Ireland.
Nora Bennis tells me that Limerick will also participate in the Vigil as follows
VIGIL FOR ALL NASCENT HUMAN LIFE.
Diocese of Limerick.
(In response to the Holy Father’s call).
Here in Limerick arrangements have been made as follows to celebrate
Solemn First Vespers for the First Sunday of Advent
on Saturday 27th November at 4.30 p.m.
at St. Joseph’s Church, O’Connell Avenue.
The Catholic Voice newspaper (Issue 44, 21 November – 5 December 2010) is most helpful with regard to announcing news of Vigil celebrations in Ireland, and its website will give up-dated information as and when it is received.
For the moment, Catholic Voice gives the following data:
St. Peter and Paul’s Church, Cork City – Saturday, 27 November:
7 pm, talk on the Sanctity of Human Life, by Dr. Joseph McCarroll
7.15 pm, Solemn Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Extraordinary Form)
8.15 pm, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
9 pm, Benediction
‘Let’s do everything possible so that our groups and families join in this universal prayer for life, in communion with the Holy Father.’
Brussels
Solemn Vigil for All Nascent Human Life Cathedral Church of Sts Michael and Gudula, Brussels, Belgium
Saturday, 27 November 2010. In communion with Pope Benedict XVI and the particular Churches throughout the world, a Solemn Vigil for All Nascent Human Life will be celebarted in the Cathedral Church of Sts Michael and Gudula, Brussels, Belgium by His Grace the Most Revd André-Joseph Léonard, Archbishop of Malines-Brussels and Primate of Belgium, on Saturday, 27 November 2010. This Solemn Vigil will comprise:
First Vespers of the First Sunday of Advent, Prayer Vigil and Eucharistic Adoration
Brussels
Solemn Vigil for All Nascent Human Life Cathedral Church of Sts Michael and Gudula, Brussels, Belgium
Saturday, 27 November 2010. In communion with Pope Benedict XVI and the particular Churches throughout the world, a Solemn Vigil for All Nascent Human Life will be celebarted in the Cathedral Church of Sts Michael and Gudula, Brussels, Belgium by His Grace the Most Revd André-Joseph Léonard, Archbishop of Malines-Brussels and Primate of Belgium, on Saturday, 27 November 2010. This Solemn Vigil will comprise:
First Vespers of the First Sunday of Advent, Prayer Vigil and Eucharistic Adoration
*****
Cardinal Seán Brady will lead a Prayer Vigil in Armagh (a short phone call to the Archdiocesan office would give details).
Midlands pro-life leader, Ray McIntyre, invites people to join him in a fast of bread and water/black tea/black coffee in preparation for Pope Benedict’s Vigil.
It is possible that other Dioceses have organised special prayers to coincide with the celebrations in Rome – for instance, it is understood that Bishop Christopher Jones (Elphin) has put plans in place for the Vigil in his Diocese.
So – only a few days left! Please telephone, email, or write to your Bishop today, and ask him what arrangements have been made in your area to pray in union with Pope Benedict on Saturday next.
