On March 8-9, 2024, the Santa Dorotea Church in Rome’s Trastevere neighborhood hosted two days of intense prayer under the “Twenty-Four hours for the Lord” celebration—an initiative instituted in 2014 by Pope Francis for the period of Lent.
This ten-year-old initiative was originally organized by the Dicastery for Evangelization and was addressed to all dioceses. It invited the faithful to participate in three kinds of proclamation: silent prayer, the sacrament of reconciliation and Eucharistic adoration.
The Santa Dorotea Church enthusiastically accepted the Pope’s invitation and is particularly active and attentive in celebrating this annual initiative.
This year too, all of the parish’s different groups and organizations participated. They were led by the lay group Jesus Loves and the Confraternity of Sant’Antonio.
The Most Reverend Benoni AMBĂRUŞ, Auxiliary Bishop of Rome, presided over the Mass, accompanied by the Pastor of Santa Dorotea, Friar Umberto FANFARILLO. Others attending included some friars from the San Giacomo Friary and numerous faithful.
At the end of the Mass, the penitential initiative got underway with silent Eucharistic Adoration while many confessions were heard late into the night. Youth from the charismatic Jesus Loves group carried out evangelization in the streets of the surrounding Trastevere neighborhood. They invited passersby to enter the church for confession or a moment of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.
The sacrament of reconciliation and the Eucharistic adoration continued into the following day. Members of the Confraternity of Sant’Antonio took turns praying before the Blessed Sacrament.
This Lenten initiative touched the hearts of many young people and faithful, prompting them to experience the important season of Lent as an opportunity to deepen their faith life and grow closer to Christ.
Friar Paolo FIASCONARO
