Bishop Terry introduces a request from Pope Francis for all people of goodwill to join in prayer, fasting and charitable works on Thursday (May 14) to pray together for deliverance from the pandemic…

“May is the month of Our Lady. As a diocese we are doing a virtual walk of hope to Lourdes. It is a time of prayer and reflection considering what is happening in our world at this moment.

“Thursday May 14 is the feast of St Matthias, the one selected to replace Judas. The apostles were once again complete. Once they were complete they were able to receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

“It would also be good to pray the Novena to the Holy Spirit, which will start on Friday May 22.”

The text below is adapted from the Communique of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity…

Our Holy Father invites all people of goodwill to join in prayer, fasting and charitable works on Thursday May 14 to pray together for deliverance from the pandemic.

Day of Prayer for Humanity

Dear fellow believers and brothers and sisters in humanity,

Our world is facing at the moment a great danger that threatens the lives of millions of people around the world due to the growing spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

While we reaffirm the role of medicine and scientific research in fighting this pandemic, we should not forget to seek refuge in God, as we face this severe crisis. Therefore, we call upon all peoples around the world to pray according to each’s respective religious convictions, to observe fast and to do good deeds to end this pandemic.

May each of us, wherever we are, and according to the teachings of our own respective faith traditions and philosophies, seek divine help to rescue ourselves and the entire world from this adversity, to inspire scientists to find a cure for the virus and to save the whole world from the health, economic, and human repercussions of this serious pandemic.

As part of its efforts to realise the objectives of the Document on Human Fraternity, the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity proposes Thursday May 14 as a Day of prayers, fasting and works of charity for the good of all humanity.

In this regard, the Committee invites all religious leaders and peoples around the world to respond to this call together; to beseech God, the Almighty to safeguard the entire world, to help us overcome this pandemic, to restore security, stability, health, and prosperity, so that, once this pandemic-crisis is over, our world may become a better place for humanity and for human fraternity than ever before.