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Pope to lead worldwide Vigil for Life


On November 27, the eve of the First Sunday of Advent, Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate a vigil in St Peter's Basilica in Rome to pray for all nascent human life.

At the request of the Holy Father, a letter was sent to every Bishops' conference in June asking them to take part in this prayer and to organise vigils at the beginning of Advent in their local churches. This letter was jointly sent by Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Llovera, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, and Cardinal Ennio Antonelli, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family.

Pope Benedict referred to the vigil last Sunday after praying the Angelus with pilgrims. "The time of preparation for Holy Christmas is a propitious moment to invoke divine protection for every human being called into existence, and also for a thanksgiving to God for the gift of life received from our parents," he told them.

Family & Life say: "Let's do everything possible so that our parishes, communities, prayer groups and families join in this universal prayer for life, in communion with the Holy Father. Personal prayer in union with the Church for the intention of defending unborn human life is our duty and raises great hope that with God's help the civilization of life and love will triumph."

The US Bishops have prepared a range of liturgical materials to assist parishes in their celebration of this vigil. To help promote this initiative, Family & Life has adapted these for use in Ireland and Britain with a leaflet with the texts for Evening Prayer and Benediction with Biblical passages to aid meditation on the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.

If you intend to join in this vigil you can also add your name to a letter of thanks and support which will be presented to Pope Benedict.

Click here for more information and to download the leaflet: www.familyandlife.org/Abortion-and-Embryo/1984/8/16.html

Source: Family & LIfe

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