A senior Catholic Bishop in Britain is urging Catholics to hold
prayer services on the first Friday of every month as a public
expression of faith.
The Bishop of Arundel and Brighton Dr Kieran Conry has called on
Catholics to stop and pray publicly at 3:00pm on the first Friday of
every month.
Bishop Conry has asked Catholic to set the alarms on their mobile
phones to remind them of the new observance as part of a move to promote
faith in the workplace ahead of the Church's, Year of faith.
Bishop Conry, who is chair of the Church in England and Wale's
evangelisation committee, said the plan draws on traditions of saying
special Friday prayers dating back to the 17th century.
“I would like to invite every Catholic, especially during the Year of
Faith, to pause for a moment of prayer of praise and thanksgiving at
3:00pm if possible, or perhaps when you break for lunch, on the first
Friday of every month.”
He added, “Whatever you are doing, as your responsibilities allow,
stop, perhaps close your eyes, bow your head and prayerfully and
silently meditate on the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross out of
love for you and everyone.”
“The exact words used are not so important as just pausing to be with
Jesus in that moment. In this way you are not only deepening your
relationship with him, but quietly and confidently witnessing to your
faith to those around you.”