Nine Nights of Night Prayer returns 8:15-9 p.m. March 17-25 to nine more churches in the Diocese of Cleveland. Prayer will be offered for the intention of peace in Ukraine.
Host churches for this cycle are:
- St. Charles Borromeo, 5891 Ridge Road, Parma
- SS. Peter & Paul, 161 W. Clinton St., Doylestown
- St. Mary, 740 S. Main St., Akron
- St. Mary Magdalene, 32010 Vine St., Willowick
- St. Ignatius of Antioch, 10205 Lorain Ave., Cleveland
- Transfiguration, 12608 Madison Ave., Lakewood
- Sacred Heart, 410 W. Lorain St., Oberlin
- Our Lady of Peace, 12601 Shaker Blvd., Cleveland
- St. Helen, 12060 Kinsman Road, Newbury
Faithful from throughout the diocese are invited to attend night prayer at one or more of the churches each night. It also provides an opportunity to visit other churches in the diocese. Night prayer takes about 15 minutes.
Father Damian Ference, vicar for evangelization, said this is the third session of Nine Nights of Night Prayer. The sessions take on new significance in this cycle as Pope Francis prepares to consecrate Ukraine and Russia to the Blessed Mother on March 25, the feast of the Annunciation. The consecration liturgy is set for 5 p.m. (noon Cleveland time) in Rome.
Father Gary Chmura, pastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish in Cleveland, one of the host churches, said there would be a nine-day period of prayer in preparation for the consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the immaculate heart of Mary. He will pray for peace in Ukraine at daily Masses and during night prayer March 17-25 at Our Lady of Peace.
In keeping with the custom at the two previous night prayer cycles, Country Parlour Ice Cream
Co. in North Royalton created a special flavor of ice cream, Gratia Plena, as in hail, Mary, full of grace. Father Ference said it would be a coconut cream ice cream with blue candies in honor of the Blessed Mother. There will be an ice cream social after the final session of night prayer on March 25.
The next cycle of Nine Nights of Night Prayer will be in August, ending on Aug. 15, the feast of the Assumption.