Lenten Evening Prayer 2021 ENGLISH version - Book - Page 4
A Word from the Archbishop
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
As we emerge from the experience of COVID-19 during 2020 and
the restrictions that it placed on our liturgical celebrations, we hope
that the Church will be in a new situation in 2021. Now is a time for
rebuilding, a time for reaching out in solidarity to those who have
suffered, a time for strengthening the bonds of unity that already exist.
To that end, I invite you to focus more on the local parish community
as we journey through Lent to the high point of the Church’s year at
Easter, and I offer you a model of weekly Evening Prayer that will, for
2021, replace the Lenten Stational Masses of previous years. We have
entitled the Lenten prayer Rebuild my Church.
On the Wednesdays of Lent Evening Prayer will be celebrated at 7pm
in the cathedral, adapted to include not only a reading from Scripture
but also some words of wisdom from Pope Francis, followed by a short
reflection from a lay person, religious, deacon or priest, since there are
many in our communities who can admirably provide rich fare for our
prayer and contemplation.
Ideally, all parishes would pray Evening Prayer on the same day each
week, so that across the archdiocese there would be a wave of prayer
leading us to a new moment from COVID-19 towards the Plenary
Council that will be held later in the year. However, if Wednesday
is not suitable in your particular parish, then your parish priest will
designate another day.
Where possible, Evening Prayer will take place before the Blessed
Sacrament exposed and conclude with Benediction. This will be led
by either priest or deacon, but I encourage lay people to proclaim the
scripture texts, the extracts from Pope Francis, the Reflection and the
Prayers of Intercession.
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