Chile: prayer vigil for miners begins

El Sagrario parish vigil

A prayer vigil for the successful rescue of 33 miners trapped in the San Jose mine in northern Chile, began at 11pm local time today, after a special Mass, presided by Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz in the parish of El Sagrario, next to the Metropolitan Cathedral in Santiago.

Eucharistic Adoration and prayers will continue until the last miner is rescued, said Monsignor Cristián Precht, Vicar General of the Archdiocese.

Mgr Precht has invited all those who can, to join the Vigil, He said: "In our prayer we want to accompany our brothers and their families. We pray to the Lord of Life that this rescue operation is successful. We also offer our prayers for all those people who are working on the rescue effort."

Since the crisis began, the Bishop of Copiapo Hope, Monsignor cmf Gaspar Quintana, has made regular visits to the camp to comfort families, pray together with them and celebrate Masses.

Source: Chilean Bishops Conference