Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, is asking all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to witness their faith by joining him at Logan Square in Philadelphia for Prayer on the Parkway. This is the Archdiocesan closing event of the Year of the Eucharist.

Those attending will gather around an altar adjacent to the fountain at Logan Square on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia. The altar will be 13 feet high and also have an eight foot cross. The thousands assembled will join together in songs of praise and prayer concluding with Benediction, which honors the Blessed Sacrament, the real presence of Christ.

At 5:30 p.m. an honor guard will process from the Chapel of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul toward the altar. At 5:45 p.m., Cardinal Rigali, Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, Archbishop Emeritus, as well as the Auxiliary Bishops of Philadelphia will process from the center doors of the Cathedral through the Sister Cities Plaza. The Procession will move on the Free Library side of the Parkway to the altar which will be located on the traffic island.

Sunday, September 18, 2005
5:30 p.m. Honor guard processes from Cathedral
5:45 p.m. Cardinals and Bishops process from Cathedral
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Prayer on the Parkway
Logan Square ~ Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia

The 274 parishes of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (made up of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties) as well as schools and other Catholic institutions are organizing buses and making plans to attend this evening of prayer.

There will be prayer petitions in five languages: English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Igbo and Tagalog. There will also be a special intercessory prayer for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Students from Cardinal Dougherty High School will carry flags representing countries of the world, demonstrating the diversity of the Archdiocese.

Editor's Note: A media riser will be available across from the altar near the 20th Street intersection. A mult-box will be located next to the press riser.

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Donna Farrell
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