Catholic Churches in Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore will hold a prayer services for Pope Francis this Monday, September 21st.
The spiritual holy hour will take place between 6:30 and 7:30 on the eve of the Pope’s arrival to the United States in 57 different parishes.
Bob Krebs is a spokesman for the Catholic Diocese in Wilmington. He says the Holy Hour will include several prayers for Pope Francis on his long journey from Cuba to the East Coast of the United States.
"And also for the World Meeting of Families, which is the main reason why Pope Francis is coming to America. And also for all families in our diocese and in our nation," said Krebs.
Bishop W. Francis Malooly will preside at the Holy Hour at Saint John the Beloved Church in Wilmington. He also will be present to greet the Pope at Saint Matthew’s Cathedral on Wednesday afternoon in Washington, DC.
Krebs says the Diocese is not necessarily encouraging parishioners to go see the Pope in Philadelphia. He says they understand that journey may be too long and tiring for some of the 233,000 Catholics in the Diocese.
"If anything we’re urging our parishioners to watch the Pope on TV, to listen to his words, and hopefully to allow his words and his example to guide us to become better Christians."
Pope Francis will be in Philadelphia Saturday Sept. 26th and Sunday the 27th after spending Tuesday through Friday in Washington D.C. and New York.