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Archdiocese of Chicago Churches Ring Bells Calling All to Unite in Prayer Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Cardinal Blase J. Cupich asks parishes to ring bells five times a day as a common call to prayer for groups affected by the COVID-19 pandemic beginning March 21, 2020

Lea la versión en español aquí.

For the Polish version, please click here.

Chicago, IL (March 20, 2020) – Cardinal Blase Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, is asking Catholic parishes to ring their church bells five times a day, as a means of calling all to unite in prayer during the COVID-19 pandemic. The prayer times will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, and continue every three hours each day, with the last bells rung at 9 p.m. Each of the five prayer times will be dedicated to a specific group particularly affected by the pandemic.

“Our hope is that people will have the experience of being united in prayer, especially at a time when we are isolated,” said Cardinal Cupich. “We invite our neighbors throughout the archdiocese to join in pausing and lifting up in prayer all affected, so they will know of our support. And if a parish does not have bells, we encourage parishioners to set their alarms to remind them to stop for a moment and unite in prayer,” the cardinal added.

The archdiocese will provide short prayer intentions on its website and social media pages in three languages – English, Spanish and Polish – with a special intention of the day announced at the daily Mass aired on the archdiocesan website and on its Twitter account.

Prayers and intentions can be found here: English, Spanish and Polish

For more information, please visit archchicago.org