2024: The Year of Prayer
In the lead-up to the Jubilee Year of 2025, Pope Francis has called for 2024 to be a Year of Prayer. He writes:
“In this time of preparation, I would greatly desire that we devote 2024, the year preceding the Jubilee event, to a great “symphony” of prayer. Prayer, above all else, to renew our desire to be in the presence of the Lord, to listen to him and to adore him. Prayer, moreover, to thank God for the many gifts of his love for us and to praise his work in creation, which summons everyone to respect it and to take concrete and responsible steps to protect it. Prayer as the expression of a single “heart and soul” (cf. Acts 4:32), which then translates into solidarity and the sharing of our daily bread. Prayer that makes it possible for every man and woman in this world to turn to the one God and to reveal to him what lies hidden in the depths of their heart. Prayer as the royal road to holiness, which enables us to be contemplative even in the midst of activity.”
Responding to the Holy Father’s call, the Christian Heritage Centre is publishing a series of twice-monthly reflections throughout 2024 on many aspects of Christian prayer, from the writings of saints to the different forms of prayer practiced across the Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, citing the great Saint John Damascene, defines prayer simply as “the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God.” But behind this simple definition lies an inexhaustible wealth of insights and practices that have brought generations of Christians closer to the Lord. We hope you’ll join the CHC throughout this Year of Prayer as we strive to raise our hearts and minds to God in preparation for the celebration of the great Jubilee Year.
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Our reflections will be published in written form and as podcasts, and will be posted below.