22 March: Day of Worldwide Solidarity and Prayer

By Linda Bordoni 

“Now is the time for each one of us to respond to the worldwide coronavirus crisis by being in solidarity with others, especially with those who are most vulnerable and most at risk.”

A statement signed by Sr. Jolanta Kafka rmi, President of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG), invites all members of the organization to make next Sunday, 22 March, a day of worldwide solidarity and prayer especially for all those directly affected by the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Sr. Jolanta notes that it is the time to follow the directives provided by the World Health Organization and our respective governments.

A special time

She adds it is also a “special time for prayer and for witnessing through practical solidarity and awareness, our responsibility to care for one another.” 

“This extraordinary time,” Sr. Jolanta continues, “provides space for acts of generosity and expressions of gratitude especially to those who are in the front line caring for the sick and those engaged in research projects searching for remedies, and those at work in the public services. No matter who they are or where they are, they should know that they are in the thoughts and prayers of sisters worldwide.”

A prayer entitled “Lockdown” can be downloaded here.

Pope Francis endorses Italian bishops’ call to prayer

Meanwhile, the Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI), has called upon Catholics in Italy to join in prayer on Thursday, 19 March, at 9 pm local time.

During the weekly General Audience, Pope Francis endorsed the bishops’ appeal to all believers to pray the rosary which, they say, “at this time of suffering for the country, (…) will be an invocation and a plea for mercy to the Father to deliver us from this pandemic".