This Sunday, Pope Francis will join millions for an hour of prayer with the Blessed Sacrament. The initiative, called Worldwide Eucharistic Adoration, is part of the festivities of the Year of Faith invoked by Benedict XVI. In sync with St. Peter’s Basilica, where Pope Francis will be present, parishes around the world will hold their own hours of adoration. (Catholics in India have responded to the call with particular enthusiasm; 19 million people are expected to gather in churches and convents throughout the country.) The theme of the event, appropriately, is “One Lord, One Faith”. The faithful are asked specifically to pray for the following two intentions proposed by the Holy Father:

1. For the Church spread throughout the world and united today in the adoration of the Most Holy Eucharist as a sign of unity. May the Lord make her ever more obedient to hearing his Word in order to stand before the world ‘ever more beautiful, without stain or blemish, but holy and blameless.’ That through her faithful announcement, the Word that saves may still resonate as the bearer of mercy and may increase love to give full meaning to pain and suffering, giving back joy and serenity.

2. For those around the world who still suffer slavery and who are victims of war, human trafficking, drug running, and slave labour. For the children and women who are suffering from every type of violence. May their silent scream for help be heard by a vigilant Church so that, gazing upon the crucified Christ, she may not forget the many brothers and sisters who are left at the mercy of violence. Also, for all those who find themselves in economically precarious situations, above all for the unemployed, the elderly, migrants, the homeless, prisoners, and those who experience marginalization. That the Church’s prayer and its active nearness give them comfort and assistance in hope and strength and courage in defending human dignity.

If your local parish isn’t offering adoration on Sunday, you can join those at the Vatican via S+L. Worldwide Eucharistic Adoration will be aired live at 11:00am ET / 8:00am PT, repeating at 9:30pm ET / 6:30pm PT. You can follow the prayers with the online booklet for the celebration. - Credit: CNS Photo / Paul Haring