Pope Francis sent a message to Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes, expressing his “closeness” to him and to the Nicaraguan people, following the attack on the Cathedral of Managua, which damaged the image of the Blood of Christ crucified and the Tabernacle with the Most Blessed Sacrament.
“Dear Brother, I accompany you in grief over this vandalism: I am close to you and to your people. I pray for all of you. Please, do not forget to pray for me. May Jesus bless you and the Holy Virgin look after you. Fraternally, Francis,” wrote the Pontiff by hand.
Act of Reparation
Last Sunday, August 2, 2020, the Cardinal Archbishop of Managua convoked the people of Nicaragua to pray in an act of reparation. On the same day, he celebrated Holy Mass in reparation for the profanation of the Most Holy Sacrament of the altar and the venerated and consecrated image of the Blood of Christ, in his Chapel in the Cathedral of Managua.
In his homily, the Cardinal responded to the Holy Father’s sincere words. How lovely it is to feel the Pope’s closeness, as a brother, as a friend. And, knowing him, I know he is sad. Not only did he pray for us in the Angelus, but also in his private prayers, which he engaged in early in the morning.” It is a closeness that “strengthens us in faith and encourages us to go forward,” he said gratefully. The Holy Mass, which he celebrated in his own home, was broadcast on YouTube and Facebook.
In keeping with Cardinal Brenes’ indications, the Priests and Religious of the Cathedral of Managua will make known in the coming days how to contribute to the reconstruction of the Chapel of the Blood of Christ, they informed last weekend in a press release of the Archdiocese.
Altar in Homes
In a press release published on the Archdiocese’s Facebook page, the Cardinal proposed to the faithful to set up an altar in their homes in honor of the Blood of Christ and to send their photographs for their visibility on the social networks. Already from the early hours of Sunday, there were shared photographs of altars posted to spend the day in prayer and fasting.
Moreover, the Archbishop gave guidelines for the day of prayer in reparation. “Spend this Sunday, August 2 with faith in all our parish churches, chapels, in your homes and on the social networks,” he wrote in the press release:
- A Sunday of spiritual silence
- Intention <of reparation> in the Masses and other pious acts of adoration
- Prayer looking at the Crucified and listening to Him
- Fasting, reparation, and supplication
- Peace in our heart not to fall into the temptation of provocation and hatred
- Recitation of the Holy Rosary, so that our Mother, at the foot of the Cross, will support us.
Unfortunately, in recent days there have been other attacks on churches of Nicaragua, reported “Vatican News.” For instance, on July 29 unknown individuals profaned the Chapel of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in the municipality of Nindiri and on July 27, in the same city, the Tabernacle of the Chapel of Our Lady of Carmel, in the parish of Our Lord of Veracruz, was thrown to the ground.
