Since Aug. 7, 2022, the faithful have visited churches throughout the Diocese of Cleveland to pray the Night Prayer of the Church. Today marks the end of the Nine Nights of Night Prayer, according to AM 1260 The Rock.
Nine Nights of Prayer
According to the report, the activity follows the same routine as in the previous prayer sessions. Nine different churches open their doors every 8 p.m. from Aug. 7-15, 2022, to encourage people to offer prayers. The prayer gathering starts at 8:15 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. It is only a 15-minute prayer session.
The report mentioned that Father Damian Ference launched the night prayer sessions just this August. He is the vicar for evangelization and director of diocesan Parish Life and Special Ministries.
Father Ference said the said prayer activity is a unique opportunity for prayer and devotion. Since nine beautiful churches participated in the sessions, it is also a blessed time to experience their beauty, community, Scripture, and tradition, as quoted in the report.
The priest also noted what Pope Francis reminded the Catholic congregation. As in the pope's words, “Prayer appeases anger, sustains love, multiplies joy, and instills the strength to forgive,” as the article states.
The churches that joined this session are St. Anthony of Padua Parish, SS. Robert and William Parish, St. Matthew Parish, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, and Our Lady of Angels Parish. The Sacred Heart Chapel, St. Emeric Parish, our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, and St. Mary Parish also opened their doors for the activity.
Every year, there are three sessions of the Nine Nights of Prayer. Each session closes on a Marian feast day: Annunciation (March 25), Assumption (Au.g 15), and Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8), the report stated.
Catholic Diocese of Cleveland
According to its official website, the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland is home to nearly 700,000 Catholic devotees. It has encompassed eight counties of northeast Ohio since April 23, 1847. Since then, it has always been connected to the mission of the Catholic Church through worship, evangelization, education, outreach, and ministries.
Currently, it is the twenty-third largest diocese in the United States which covers the counties of Cuyahoga, Summit, Lorain, Lake, Geauga, Medina, Wayne, and Ashland. Under its jurisdiction has 185 parishes, 108 Catholic schools, one pastoral center, and one mission office.
Its Catholic Charities is one of the world's most extensive diocesan social services systems. According to its online profile, its educational facilities have also served more than 40,000 students in the eight counties of the diocese.
The Most Reverend Edward C. Malesic, J.C.L. holds the highest position in the church as the 12th bishop of Cleveland. He is assisted by the Most Reverend Anthony M. Pilla and the Most Reverend Roger Gries, OSB. They are working hand-in-hand to offer spiritual support to the community and continue the mission of the Church in the diocese.
