Cathedral to stay open for 24 hours

Parish priest Fr Thomas Millar outside Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral.

Pope Francis has asked Catholics all over the world to spend ‘24 Hours For The Lord’ from 5pm on Friday (March 4) to 5pm on Saturday to prepare spiritually for Easter.

He wants one church in each diocese throughout the world to remain open for these 24 hours.

The Cathedral on Coursington Road will be open all night offering services, confession, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the opportunity for private prayer.

Priests will be available to hear confessions from 5.30 pm on Friday to 4.30pm on Saturday.

Some parishioners from throughout the diocese will spend all night in the church while others will make visits.

Services will take place on Friday at 5, 7 and 10pm. The Rosary will be recited every hour, on the hour, from 11pm till 7am, and there will be services at 7.45am, 8am, 9.30am, 10am, 1pm and 4.30pm.

In addition, throughout Lent and the Easter season there will be special services in the Cathedral for the Holy Year of Mercy on Monday and Thursday evenings from 6 to 8pm and on Saturdays from 8.30am to 11am.

For more info, email [email protected] or call 01698 263045.