Dicastery for Evangelization

Section for Fundamental Questions Regarding Evangelization in the World

PRESS RELEASE

7 AND 18 MARCH 2023 THE TENTH EDITION OF "24 HOURS FOR THE LORD

(Vatican City) - "24 hours for the Lord", a Lenten initiative of prayer and reconciliation desired by Pope Francis, is back for its tenth edition. Again, this year the event will be celebrated in dioceses around the world on the eve of the Fourth Sunday of Lent, from Friday 17 to Saturday 18 March.  In preparation for the Easter Resurrection, churches will remain open for an entire day, offering the faithful and pilgrims the opportunity to pause at any time in adoration and the opportunity to hear confessions.

This year, in order to further characterize the presence in the parish communities, Pope Francis will preside over "24 hours for the Lord", on 17 March at 4.30pm, in the parish of Santa Maria delle Grazie al Trionfale (Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie, 5). During the celebration there will be an opportunity for all the faithful who wish to do so to receive the sacrament of reconciliation. Tickets to attend the celebration are limited to the capacity of the parish church and can be requested by completing the form on this page: http://www.evangelizatio.va/content/pcpne/it/attivita/24ore/24-ore-per-il-signore-2023/biglietti.html. Tickets, available while they last, can be collected at Via della Conciliazione 7, on Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 March from 8.30 to 13.30 and from 15.00 to 17.30, or on Friday 17 March from 8.30 to 13.30.

The open doors of the churches are a symbol of God's merciful love. In preparation for the "24 hours for the Lord", the Dicastery for Evangelization has published a pastoral subsidy containing cards for personal prayer and suggestions for community celebration. In fact, the proposal to dioceses and parishes, in Italy and around the world, to celebrate the moment of prayer also in their own communities is renewed. The booklet, published by Shalom, is available in paper version in bookshops and online stores. In English, Spanish and Portuguese language versions, the text can be downloaded from http://www.evangelizatio.va/content/pcpne/it/attivita/24ore/24-ore-per-il-signore-2023.html.