In his document outlining his plan for the Year of Mercy, one initiative Pope Francis emphasized was something he called “24 Hours for the Lord,” a period of 24 straight hours of confession that he wanted to be held in every diocese in the world.
“So many people, including young people, are returning to the Sacrament of Reconciliation; through this experience they are rediscovering a path back to the Lord, living a moment of intense prayer and finding meaning in their lives,” he wrote. “Let us place the Sacrament of Reconciliation at the center once more in such a way that it will enable people to touch the grandeur of God’s mercy with their own hands. For every penitent, it will be a source of true interior peace.”
He asked that it be held on the Friday and Saturday before the Fourth Week of Lent — March 4-5. That’s just what will be happening at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary in Duluth. The event will begin at noon Friday, March 4, and it will continue for the next 24 hours, until noon the next day.
Things will kick off with a penance service for clergy. Then Eucharistic Adoration and confession will continue all the way through the night and the next morning.
This is an excellent opportunity both for those who may be returning to the sacrament after a long absence and for those who are regulars.
The Cathedral also has the Holy Door open for the Year of Mercy, with an attached indulgence.
In recognition of the jubilee year, the Diocese of Duluth is also offering confessions before the Chrism Mass, March 21, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and before the priesthood ordination on June 3 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
