The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has joined Pope Francis and the office for the Synod of Bishops in encouraging a universal Day of Prayer on September 28, for the Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops addressing The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization (October 5-19).
“The Extraordinary Synod on the Family is an important moment for the Church and for families,” said Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky. “I welcome whole-heartedly this day of prayer for the Synod fathers and for all who will participate. As the Church turns with special attention to the family, may God’s plan for marriage and the family be a source of hope and healing for all.”
For the universal Day of Prayer on Sunday, September 28, dioceses, parishes, religious communities, families and all the Catholic faithful are invited to pray for the Synod. Suggested prayers include a prayer to the Holy Family composed by Pope Francis and intercessory prayers which may be used during the Prayers of the Faithful at Mass, other liturgical settings, and in family or personal prayer, available atwww.usccb.org/issues-and-action/marriage-and-family/upload/September-28-2014-Day-of-Prayer-for-Synod.pdf . In addition, families and all Catholics are being encouraged to pray the Rosary during each day of the Synod.
Archbishop Kurtz is attending the Extraordinary Synod as part of a U.S. delegation of bishops including Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, and Archbishop William C. Skurla, Byzantine Metropolitan of Pittsburgh. More information about the Synod is available at www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/marriage-and-family/2014-2015-synods-of-bishops-on-the-family.cfm.
