PRAYER INITIATIVES IN PREPARATION FOR THE NEXT SYNOD OF BISHOPS

Vatican City, 19 December 2013 (VIS) – In view of the forthcoming Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which will focus on the theme “The pastoral challenges of the family in the context of evangelisation”, some prayer initiatives have been indicated.

On Sunday, 22 December, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia will preside over the Holy Mass at the Basilica of the "Sagrada Familia" in Barcelona, and on Sunday, 29 December, Feast of the Holy Family, at the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, the Secretary General of the Synod, Bishop Lorenzo Baldisseri, will celebrate Mass with the aforementioned prayer intention. On the same day, in the Sanctuary of the Holy House of Loreto, the Pontifical Delegate Archbishop Giovanni Tonucci will celebrate Mass with the same intention.

On Sunday, 29 December, at the Angelus prayer, the Holy Father will deliver a special prayer he has composed for the family; the Basilicas of Loreto and Nazareth will be connected via live television.