Citing Pope Francis' request to "please pray for me," the Lingayen-Dagupan archdiocese in Pangasinan province will offer 24 hours of prayer starting 6 a.m. of March 13, Friday.

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop and Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines president Socrates Villegas said the 24 Hours of Prayer will have the theme "God rich in mercy."

 

A report by GMA Dagupan's "Primera Balita" on Thursday said churches in the archdiocese will be open 24 hours for prayer.

 

"Ito ang parang devotion natin, yung continuous prayer, parang hinihingi nila ang sakripisyo ng tao para muling manumbalik sa pagdarasal," St. John Cathedral's Fr. Jorge Bacani said.

 

During the 24 hours, Bacani said there will be confession and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

 

Lay organizations and basic ecclesial communities will take part in the Worldwide 24 Hours for the Lord.

 

Earlier, Villegas said the Pope had called on all bishops all over the world to observe March 13 to 14 as 24 Hours of Prayer, "with the theme 'God rich in mercy'."

 

“Let us stay united with the Holy Father in praying for a new era of mercy and compassion for the world,” he added.

 

In the Lingayen-Dagupan archdiocese, he said the 24 Hours of Prayer will start with a Mass at 6 a.m. March 13, and end with another Mass at 6 a.m. March 14.

 

Catholic schools in the archdiocese will be assigned to adore during class hours, while other lay groups and basic ecclesial communities may be assigned to the night hours.

 

Adoration churches include:

 

1. Santuario de San Juan in Dagupan City

2. Epiphany of the Lord Parish in Lingayen

3. Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Manaoag

4. Saint Dominic Parish in San Carlos City

5. Saint Vincent Ferrer in Bayambang.

 

Vicars Forane in each vicariate must ensure the presence of adorers and confessors available for Penance (confession). — Joel Locsin/JDS, GMA News