The Catholic Standard and Times

By CHRISTIE L. CHICOINE
CS&T Staff Writer

Prayer on the Parkway could prove to be a life-changing holy hour for Philadelphia Catholics.

“I don’t think anyone who comes here that day will leave the same,” said Auxiliary Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, the episcopal liaison for Prayer on the Parkway.

“Graces will be abundant,” Bishop Burbidge said. “The Lord will be so pleased at what we’re doing in His name.

“The presence of the faithful in the Archdiocese is a great witness that our source of strength for all that we do in life is the Eucharist, and [we] proudly proclaim that,” he said.

Bishop Burbidge was talking about the contingent of Catholics across the Archdiocese who are expected to convene as one big parish family for prayer and eucharistic adoration at Logan Circle on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18.

At press time, more than 300 buses had been booked by parishes to transport their parishioners to the Parkway.

To close the Church’s Year of the Eucharist, Cardinal Justin Rigali is calling all Catholics of the Archdiocese to attend the holy hour, which will include exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Logan Circle near the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, 18th Street and the Parkway.

No tickets are necessary. Booklets will be distributed on the Parkway, so that all can prayerfully participate in the liturgy.

Father Joseph C. McLoone, pastor of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus Parish and the event chairman, envisioned the event in compelling detail: the monstrance bearing the Blessed Sacrament atop a beautiful altar built for the occasion, adjacent to Swann Memorial Fountain at Logan Circle, 19th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, “so that all can see and adore,” with the fountain from Logan Circle flowing behind the altar, and the Cathedral and City Hall combining in a religious and historical backdrop.

Although many eucharistic-related initiatives have been celebrated in parishes across the Archdiocese since Pope John Paul II promulgated the “Year of the Eucharist” for October 2004 through September 2005, the holy hour on the Parkway is the only celebration for the entire family of archdiocesan Catholics.

In a world where many readily show their likes and dislikes, it’s important for Catholics to show their appreciation for Jesus, and to be proud of their relationship with Him, Father McLoone said.

“By publicly manifesting our faith, by going to the Parkway, we’re not [merely] going to our church and praying privately, but we’re publicly saying, and reinforcing to ourselves, how important this relationship is to us — our own personal relationship to Jesus Christ — and how Jesus Christ unites us with everyone else, as brothers and sisters,” he said.

Bishop Burbidge added: “Whenever we open our hearts and ourselves to the Lord, He reaffirms in us His presence, which is always with us. When we make that special effort … the Lord, in His mysterious way, affirms us in His love.”

Bishop Burbidge said he believes everyone who attends the spiritual celebration will return home strengthened and renewed: “It may be made known to you on Sept. 18 — or a day later, a week later, or [another time of God’s choosing], but you will leave a different person. You’ll be strengthened by the presence of the Eucharist, by being in a community of believers. …

“There’s something about gathering with your Cardinal — the chief shepherd — the bishops, the priests, the community of believers. We’re strengthened by the body of Christ, which is going to be made very present,” the Bishop said.

When the Catholics who gather on the Parkway look toward the four points on a compass — north, south, east and west — “they’re basically going to see the face of the Church,” Father McLoone said.

“They’re going to see that the Church is very universal,” he said. “They’re going to have a visual reminder of the word ‘catholic,’ what it means to be ‘catholic,’ that Christ’s message goes out to all the world, to all people — young and old, different races and nations.”

Flags representing 30 nations will be in view during the holy hour, and the prayers of intercession will be offered in five languages: English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Igbo and Tagalog. A prayer of intercession for all affected by Hurricane Katrina will also be offered.

What should one bring to Prayer on the Parkway?

“A grateful heart, first of all, for God’s most precious gift to us — the gift of His Son,” Bishop Burbidge said.

“Come with a heart filled with praise, come with joy, because we’re going to be singing and praising the Lord,” he said.

“Come with anything you need at this particular time in your life. Come with your cares. Come with your concerns, your worries, your anxieties … and entrust them to the Lord,” the Bishop added. “ Hand [them] over to Him in this hour-and-a-half of prayer.”

Prior to the Prayer on the Parkway celebration, a votive Mass of the Eucharist — offered in honor of the mystery of the Eucharist, but not on the liturgical calendar for that day — will be celebrated in all 274 parishes of the Archdiocese at weekend Masses Sept. 17-18.

“We are ready,” Father McLoone said. “The most important thing to keep in mind is we’re doing this to bring honor and praise to our Lord, and to remind ourselves of that great relationship and communion we have with Him in the sacrament. Everyone should come.”

For more information, contact your local parish or (215) 587-0525.

CS&T Staff Writer Christie L. Chicoine may be reached at (215) 587-2468 or e-mail her at: cchicoin@adphila.org.