by Nirmala Carvalho

Tomorrow, the day of prayer and fasting called for by Pope Francis, the archbishop of Mumbai will lead a special prayer with all the clergy and the faithful in his archdiocese. In the evening, children in all the parishes will recite a prayer for their Syrian brothers and sisters.

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - The day of prayer and fasting for Syria will be "a privileged moment to nourish ourselves on the Word of God and remain in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament to pray for peace, which is a gift of God," Card Oswald Gracias told AsiaNews.

The archbishop of Mumbai, who is also president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), also said that tomorrow he would lead a special prayer with the local Catholic community, in Mumbai's Cathedral of the Holy Name.

"Instead of having a regular lunch break," the prelate said, "we shall get together from 1 to 2 pm to nourish ourselves on the Gospel, fasting and praying in adoration. Even the Discalced Carmelite nuns, from their monastery, will be in communion with the Archdiocese and pray with us."

Pope Francis chose 7 September, tomorrow, because it is the eve of the Nativity of Mary Queen of Peace. "Now that the Church of Mumbai and all of India has ended the novena of preparation for the feast of the Nativity," the prelate explained, "tens of thousands of children will recite tomorrow night a special prayer for their Syrian brothers and sisters in every parish to ensure that, through the intercession of Our Lady, they may find the strength to have faith and not lose hope."

 

• india
• syria
• vatican
• day
• of
• prayer
• and
• fasting