Placing the Work of the Universal Synod under the Protection of Our Lady – 31 May 2023

Placing the work of the Universal Synod under the protection of Our Lady – 31 May 2023: 

On behalf of the Holy Father, the Secretariat for the Universal Synod has invited local churches to hold a moment of Marian Prayer on 31st May (Feast of the Visitation and last day of the Marian Month of May) to place the work of the Synod, especially the upcoming assembly in October, under the protection of Our Lady.

A day of prayer has been organised at Knock Shrine, Ireland’s International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine, and the programme for the day is as follows:

• 11am – 11:45am:    Prayer Service in the Apparition Chapel (to include prayer to Our Lady of the Way, a decade of the rosary, and the placing of petitions at the feet of Our Lady)
• 12:00pm – 1pm:      Mass celebrated by Archbishop Francis Duffy in the Basilica
• 1pm – 7pm:             Pilgrims and visitors will be invited to pray for the work of the Synod (prayer cards will be distributed on the day)

As we continue to strengthen our communion, deepen our participation, and enlarge our mission, many will not be in a position to travel to Knock on the Wednesday. Therefore, a special prayer service “With Mary Towards the Synodal Assembly” for parishes and groups has been produced so that as many as possible can pray with us and seek the interceding presence of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church, on the day. The resource may be downloaded from the following link: With Mary Towards the Synodal Assembly – Prayer Resource 31 May 2023