Pope Benedict XVI's upcoming visit to the United States is an opportunity for pastoral renewal, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin said in a letter dated March 24 to all the diocesan priests. He called on priests to devote the week of Sunday, April 13 to prayer for the Holy Father. "Let us pray for our Holy Father's health and safety, and for the spiritual success of his pastoral mission," he wrote.
The Bishop went on to encourage priests to organize activities for their parishes during that week, such as public recitations of the Rosary and a Eucharistic Holy Hour.
He also encouraged them to ask children, youth groups and the homebound of the parish to pray, in addition to offering Mass intentions to the Pope.
Although the Holy Father will visit only New York and Washington, D.C. during his visit April 15-20, the trip is a "wonderful gift" to the Diocese of Providence and to the entire country, Bishop Tobin said.
Bishop Tobin concluded the letter with a call for unity: "While our prayer for Pope Benedict may take many forms, let us be one in our Catholic Faith, and in our love and respect for our Holy Father."
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