Fr La Flynn, Prior of Lough Derg offers words of encouragement to all participating in the Diocese of Derry Day of Prayer and Penenance in the face of the Coronavirus on Friday, 1 May 2020.
Fr La explains that:
- Fasting and penance were very much part of Catholic life;
- Fasting is a way to intensify our prayer in times of crisis - a prayer for God's deliverance;
- Generous, sustained and cheerful penance is entirely appropriate at a time like this;
- Solidarity with the poor and the marginalised and a good relationship with others is very much part of authentic penance;
- taking on this day of penance can be seen as a prayer of petition to God.
Fr La hopes that it will be ".. a day that would bear fruit in terms of strengthening your christian faith and christian living in the face of these challenging times in which we live".
Fr La Flynn offers word of encouragement to all joining the 'Virtual Lough Derg Pilgrimage'
Fast starts: 12 midnight Thursday, 30 April
24 hour Vigil starts: 6:00 am Friday, 1 May
Bishop Donal McKeown is inviting people to join him on the first Friday of May on a 'virtual pilgrimage', to fast and pray asking God:
- to free us from this pandemic and to support those who are fighting it;
- to comfort those who have been afflicted with this pandemic; and
- to ask God for the wisdom to know how to live now and in the aftermath of the pandemic.
This time of prayer and penance at home will take its shape from core elements of the 3-day Lough Derg pilgrimage - Fasting, Praying the Lough Derg Stations and completing the Night Vigil.
The Stations, Night Vigil and Mass broadcast
Led by Bishop Donal McKeown from St Eugene's Cathedral, the Lough Derg Stations, the Night Vigil and the special 'Mass in time of a Pandemic' will be broadcast throughout the 24-hour period online from:
www.steugenescathedral.com;
www.derrydiocese.org;
www.churchservices.tv or;
www.mcnmedia.tv.
Full details of the Pilgrimage can be viewed here:
The Station Prayers can be viewed & printed here: