Irish Diocese Respond to Pope's '24 Hours for the Lord' Initiative

The Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin is responding to the ‘24 Hours for the Lord’ initiative called for by Pope Francis. The diocese will host 24 hours of prayer and reconciliation in the Parish of Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, from 5pm on Friday 28 March until 5pm on Saturday 29 March.

The ‘24 Hours for the Lord’ event will commence with a holy hour at 5.00pm in St. Andrew’s Church, Bagenalstown. It will continue for 24 hours, and will include periods of Eucharistic Adoration, quiet times of prayer and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Priests from across the diocese will be available during each hour of the 24 hour period to hear confessions, and to accompany people as they pray.

Commenting ahead of the event, Bishop Denis Nulty of Kildare and Leighlin said: “I am delighted to respond to such a wonderful initiative called for by Pope Francis. What we are doing in Bagenalstown, Pope Francis will be doing in Rome – leading prayer and offering confession – Pope Francis has described the initiative as a ‘celebration of forgiveness’ which will happen in dioceses across the world”.

“The Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin is offering this ‘24 Hours for the Lord’ to the people of the diocese as a Lenten Diocesan Reach-Out gift, similar to the annual Advent Diocesan Reach-Out gift. It is a gift which will make a profound difference in the lives of those who take up the invitation to be open to God’s love and mercy," he added.

“I am extending a personal invitation to parishioners across the diocese to join us in Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, and to be present for some of these 24 hours for Jesus Christ," Bishop Nulty concluded. "All are welcome to this Festival of Forgiveness!”