The Pope’s penitential celebration on Friday, March 17, 2017, kicked off, as it has in recent years, the initiative by the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization entitled «24 Hours For the Lord.»
In recent years, the Pope has presided over the penitential celebration. As the Holy See Press Office reported, the Pontiff during last Friday’s penitential celebration heard the Confessions of seven penitents: three men and four women, all laypeople. In total, the confessions, which began around 5 p.m., lasted about 50 minutes.
During the individual confessions, moments of silence and singing alternated in the Basilica. After the conclusive prayer and the Rites of Conclusion, the Marian antiphon “Salve, Mater Misericordiae” was sung.
***
On the NET:
More information about «24 Hours for the Lord» on the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization website: http://www.novaevangelizatio.va/content/nvev/en.html