“And please don’t forget to pray for me.” This is how Pope Francis has concluded each of his public addresses for almost seven years now.
A request is made by founders of Hozana, a social prayer network, which has set up a large prayer chain for the 50th anniversary of the priestly ordination of the pope, which will take place Dec. 13.
“We were looking for ways to mark the event and we thought it was the best gift we could give to the pope,” explained Oceane Durand, Hozana’s communications officer.
The network issued an invitation in early November in French, English, Spanish, and Portuguese to pray for Pope Francis for 11 days, from Dec. 3-13.
“It is a great success. More than 21,000 people from 200 countries registered for this prayer chain. It’s beautiful! It’s beautiful!” said Durand.
Every day, the subscribers receive an e-mail with a short biography of the pope, an excerpt from one of his most important texts, and an intention of prayer for him or for the Church.
“It is also an opportunity for Catholics to get to know the pope and his major pastoral orientations,” Durand said.
Diocese of Rome
Pope Francis was informed in person of the initiative. “The pope looked touched and was thankful,” said Durand.
The Diocese of Rome, of which the pope is the bishop, has also invited the faithful to pray especially for this priestly jubilee.
It was thus requested that an intention of prayer to this effect be read on Dec. 8 in all parishes of the diocese.
“May the Lord who called [Pope Francis] to be administrator of the Holy Sacraments and Bishop of Rome guide and support him with the grace of his Spirit and give him the consolation that comes from the prayer of the whole Church,” was the prayer.
In addition, Pope Francis will celebrate his 83rd birthday Dec. 17.