Launched on Facebook and other social media on Ash Wednesday, the Archdiocese of Southwark has been uploading videos of Catholic prayers each day during Lent.

The Lenten prayer campaign aims to encourage people to connect with Jesus Christ through popular prayers either part of the liturgy or written by saints, says the Archbishop of Southwark John Wilson.

Despite the campaign not being advertised, view rates are high.

A video on the Nicene Creed has so far topped the list of most-viewed prayers. About 510,000 people watched the video featuring this, the Church's ancient statement of belief.

Padre Pio's prayer for trust and confidence in God has also been seen widely, with about 491,000 views according to viewer statistics.

Yet another prayer - "Stillness of my soul" from the 16th century Spanish mystic, John of the Cross, has been seen by over 323,000 social media users.

In addition, the Fatima prayer drew 146,00 social media users.

The Act of Contrition used in the Sacrament of Confession has been watched 105,000 times.

Some of the prayer campaign videos are very short - just 13 seconds - like St Thomas More's prayer to thank Jesus.

Others, such as the Magnificat last 56 seconds. The prayer to Our Lady Undoer of Knots - a devotion Pope Francis has made popular - is just one minute and 25 seconds long.

Other prayers already posted in the campaign which ends on Easter Sunday include the Hail Mary, a prayer to the Holy Spirit and the prayer Hail Holy Queen.

A gift from God

"The extraordinary reach of this simple prayer campaign underlines how much people do desire a relationship with Christ, but sometimes just need a little support in lifting their hearts and minds to Him" Archbishop John says.

"Prayer is a gift from God, it's his way of revealing his desire to have a meaningful and lasting relationship with each of us.

"But too often, with the busyness of life, people put up barriers between themselves and God. Too often people find it hard to take a moment to lift their hearts and mind to God."

Give Prayer a Go

The prayer campaign is part of Southwark Archdiocese's wider Give Prayer a Go initiative which began on 1 January to support the Pope's 2024 Year of Prayer.

Francis scheduled this so the Church could prepare for the 2025 Jubilee Year 'Pilgrims of Hope'.

Wilson says he wants people to "rejoice in the wonder of prayer".

"That is why I'm encouraging people to give prayer a go. Christ thirsts for us and our hearts are restless until they rest in Him."

The wider prayer campaign will also highlight ways to enrich prayer life. It suggests people read articles on the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and to encourage encouraging children and families to pray the Rosary.

Source

• The Tablet

"Racism is a sin and has no place in our world. As followers of Christ, it is our duty to welcome all people, regardless of race or background, into our Church and show them there is a place for them" said Canon Victor Darlington.

Darlington is the chair of the Archdiocese of Southark's Commission for Promoting Racial and Cultural Inclusion, which governs the London boroughs south of the River Thames.

It is the first Catholic diocese in England and Wales to establish such a Commission.

Welcoming diversity

One parish in particular "leads the way" in the archdiocese as to how it promotes racial and cultural inclusion.

The pastor of that parish (St. Margaret of Scotland) is Father Anthony Uche, originally from Nigeria.

Uche (pictured greeting a young parishioner) has established a Racial and Cultural Inclusion group in the community, saying "the face of the Church must be seen in all we do".

The parish's efforts to extend an inclusive welcome to all has seen a change in the imagery chosen to decorate the church. These include images and statues of saints from different cultural and racial backgrounds. There are several of the Virgin Mary from different parts of the world.

Darlington said that's why the work of St Margaret's Parish is so important - "because when people go to a parish, they should not only see white images but also people who look like them.

"Jesus loves us all and we in turn must love and welcome all" the priest said.

Diversity in the parish is increasing, says Uche. The impact has been extraordinary, with a previously predominantly white parish now including others from various cultures.

"You know how it can feel busy in London but we always feel at home and okay here. We are welcome to Mass, we are welcome to the church and the parish" a parishioner says

The parish's welcome is a welcome influence on his family which includes six children.

As his wife says "... the impact of the parish on each of them makes a huge difference in the community and we hope that can impact their friends".

Equality includes all

A member of St Margaret's Racial and Cultural Diversity group says racial equality means fairness to everybody regardless of what race they're from.

"When you think of what we're meant to be as Christians, we're called to love everybody, regardless of race."

Another parishioner - also a group member - says promoting racial and cultural diversity does not happen by accident.

"It needs a group which looks systemically at all the worship, the activities, the different ministries in the parish and making sure we're promoting racial and cultural diversity across everything we do.

"We have to show God loves everyone equally - in our activities and in our worship. If we don't show that, we are failing" he adds.

Source

• Crux Now