Holy Father Calls to Prayer

During Sunday's Angelus, the Holy Father has called on all Christians throughout the world to join in praying the Our Father on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, at noon (7:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time). Perhaps our Christian sisters and brothers in Medford and beyond would care to join us. Also, on Friday, March 27, he will preside over a moment of prayer on the sagrato of St Peter’s Basilica, the platform at the top of the steps immediately in front of the façade of the Church, reported Vatican News. “I invite everyone to participate spiritually through the means of communication”, he said. The ceremony will consist in readings from the Scriptures, prayers of supplication, and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; and will conclude with Pope Francis giving the Urbi et orbi Blessing, with the possibility of gaining a plenary indulgence for all those who listen to it live through the various forms of communication. The blessing “to the City [of Rome] and to the World” is normally only given on Christmas and Easter. The Director of the Holy See Press Office confirmed that the moment of prayer on Friday will be broadcast live from the Vatican, beginning at 6 p.m. Rome time (1:00 p.m. Eastern Time). He noted that the plenary indulgence attached to the Urbi et orbi blessing."