February 25, 2016 - 24 Hours for the Lord

The Archdiocese of Boston is offering a special round-the-clock event called “24 Hours for the Lord” beginning on Friday, March 4 and concluding on Saturday, March 5.  During this 24-hour period, twelve churches throughout the Archdiocese of Boston will be open for confessions and for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  For a complete list of parishes participating, please see below. 

During this Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis has asked every diocese throughout the world to offer this 24-hour event on March 4 and 5.  It serves as a concrete reminder that God’s mercy is always available to us, and that He never tires of forgiving us.  Cardinal Seán O’Malley has said, “During this Year of Mercy, we are called to trust completely in God’s love and mercy.  Our sins separate us from God, but He has given us the Sacrament of Reconciliation so that we no longer need to live in sin, but rather can begin anew in His grace.  We are healed by God when we go to confession, and there is no greater way to discover His love for us than for us to experience His healing forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.” 

Many priests from the Archdiocese will be available in each of the churches throughout the 24-hour period.  

Rev. Jonathan Gaspar, Director of the Office for Divine Worship, said, “This initiative is an opportunity for us as priests to reflect the love that we see in the parable of the Prodigal Son.  Like the father in the parable, who anxiously awaited day and night for his son’s return, we too will be waiting in our churches for God’s sons and daughters to return home through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, where they will experience the merciful embrace of the Father.”  

This event is meant not only for active and practicing Catholics, but is especially for those who have been away from the practice of their faith.  The doors of the church will remain open as a sign that they are always welcome to come home.  In addition to priests hearing confessions, lay people and religious will be available as well in all of the sites, to pray with people who are in need of prayers and to offer encouragement and support. 

Those who participate in “24 Hours for the Lord” will also be able to receive the special Plenary Indulgence for the Jubilee Year of Mercy.  In addition to visiting one of the churches designated for this event on March 4 & 5, those wishing to receive the plenary indulgence must fulfill the normal conditions for obtaining a plenary indulgence:  sacramental confession, reception of Holy Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father. 

An online listing of those churches selected to remain open for “24 Hours for the Lord” is below or please visit:  bostoncatholic.org/24hours.  Please note that each location will have a different start time and end time. 

Central Region     

• Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston , click   here to view flier  .    

South Region     

• Immaculate Conception, Stoughton , click   here to view flier  .     
• Sacred Heart, Middleborough , click  here to view flier  .      
• Saint Paul, Hingham , click   here to view flier  .     

West Region  

• Saint Catherine, Norwood , click   here to view flier  .      
• Immaculate Conception, Marlborough , click   here to view flier  .    
• Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, Holliston , click   here to view flier  .    

• Saint Joseph, Lynn , click   here to view flier  .      
• Saint Theresa, North Reading , click   here to view flier  .    

• Holy Family, Amesbury , click   here to view flier  .      
• Saint John the Evangelist, Townsend , click   here to view flier  .      
• Saint Joseph the Worker Shrine, Lowell , click   here to view flier  .