Holy Father Urges Participation in Pro-Life Vigil
VATICAN CITY, (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is calling on all Catholics to join in a Vigil for All Nascent Human Life, to be celebrated in local parishes and dioceses Nov. 27.
The Pope will celebrate the vigil in St. Peter's Basilica on the eve of the First Sunday of Advent, and is requesting "all diocesan bishops (and their equivalent) of every particular church preside in analogous celebrations involving the faithful in their respective parishes, religious communities, associations and movements."
The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments and the Pontifical Council for the Family collaborated in creating an outline for the vigil.
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, highlighted the "unprecedented" nature of this request from the Pontiff.
The prelate said, "I heartily encourage all Catholics... to take part in this special prayer."
He noted that the purpose "according to the Holy See is to 'thank the Lord for his total self-giving to the world and for his Incarnation which gave every human life its real worth and dignity,' and to 'invoke the Lord's protection over every human being called into existence.'"
Cardinal DiNardo affirmed, "Becoming a voice for the child in the womb, and for the embryonic human being... is one of many ways we can teach our fellow citizens that 'The Measure of Love is to Love Without Measure.'"
