D. Myron Cotta invites families “of today” to be “teachers and pilgrims” of prayer

“Prayer is absolutely necessary for mission and salvation”, says the prelate of Stockton

The Bishop of Stockton challenged Azorean families to be “masters and pilgrims” of prayer, during the sermon on the Procession of the Change of the Image of the Lord Santo Cristo dos Milagres, which took place this afternoon, bringing together thousands of pilgrims in promise.

“Jesus learned to pray in his home in Nazareth just as our grandparents and parents taught us to pray” said D. Myron Cotta.

“Today’s parents need to understand that prayer begins in the domestic church, in the home” he said, also highlighting that “the family that prays together stays together”.

“The family is fundamental in preparing for the walk with the Lord; therefore, walking with him is our pilgrimage of life. And prayer, dialogue with God, are necessary for the journey”, said the prelate of Portuguese descent to the thousands of pilgrims who participated in the first major religious manifestation of this festival, which mobilizes thousands of Azoreans living on the nine islands or in the diaspora.

Based on the personal example of his family prayer, especially with his grandparents – “they knew the importance, and the responsibility, of giving us an example of the value and necessity of prayer” – the prelate suggested an itinerary that begins with “a simple prayer from the heart, a frank conversation with Our Lord Holy Christ, with Jesus.”

“Prayer cultivates our relationship with God; prayer brings peace and unites us with the Church; prayer can bring healing – both spiritual and physical – so that we can live more freely; Prayer helps us discern God’s will for your life and prayer elevates your petitions to God.”

Prayer is “absolutely necessary” for the mission and salvation, he also highlighted, asking for “pilgrims of prayer” who can “offer hope to those who are lost, to those who are without hope”.

The first time he went as president of this great pilgrimage to the sanctuary of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres, D. Myron Cotta confessed his excitement at being in the Azores, especially this year when the theme of the Sanctuary is prayer in absolute harmony with the theme proposed by the Pope for the year preceding the Jubilee of Hope.

“We, like the disciples, turn to the Holy Lord Christ and ask him: “Lord, teach us to pray.””.

After the Procession of Change, the Image will move to the Church of São José, where it will remain until the open mass on Sunday. At midnight a mass will be celebrated in São José, followed by the first hour of the vigil on Peace and Vocations, led by the Episcopal Vicar for Clergy and Formation. At 8:00 am tomorrow there will be the first mass in English of these festivities, followed at 9:30 am by the open-air mass, which will be broadcast live on channel 1 of RTP, RTP Açores and RTP Internacional.

The image of Senhor Santo Cristo will also travel through the main streets of Ponta Delgada from 4:30 pm, in a tour that will take it through the city’s main convents, as per the tradition started by Mother Teresa da Anunciada, the great promoter of this cult.