The Assembly of First Nations, the Métis National Council, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops are participating in a delegation visiting Pope Francis over five days from Monday, March 28 to Friday, April 1, 2022.
In solidarity with Indigenous Fire Keepers keeping the Sacred Fire in each region and across the land, the Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle invites all to light a fire or candle and pray as the encounter begins. We will pray to Our Lady of Guadalupe for her to intercede with her Son to shower abundant graces among and between us, for the conversion and healing of hearts, as we continue our journey of truth and reconciliation.
The Circle suggests continuous prayer across each region’s prayer time.
- Atlantic time zone
5 a.m. to 9 a.m. (Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador) - Eastern time zone
8 a.m. to 11 a.m. (Quebec, Nunavut)
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Ontario, Nunavut) - Central time zone
12 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Manitoba)
3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Saskatchewan) - Mountain time zone
5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Alberta, Northwest Territories)
8 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. (Yukon, Northwest Territories) - Pacific time zone
9 p.m. to 11 p.m. (British Columbia)
To “encourage the whole faith community to embrace this historic moment and prepare to stand in prayerful solidarity with all of those who will be meeting with the Holy Father so that this will be a true encounter on our journey toward reconciliation,” the Circle shares the following:
- A letter from the co-chairs of the Circle
- A prayer card with a prayer for the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe to download and share in your parish and diocesan communities and among members of your groups
- An invitation to join in a Sacred Fire to be held across Canada on the opening day of the encounter
O Blessed Virgin, Our Lady of Guadalupe intercede for us with your Son that we who live in this land, Indigenous and non-Indigenous together, may experience healing and reconciliation on a renewed journey for justice and peace for our children.
Mother of the Church, pray for us.
About the Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle
The Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle is a “Catholic coalition of Indigenous people, bishops, clergy, lay movements and institutes of consecrated life, engaged in renewing and fostering relationships between the Catholic Church and Indigenous Peoples in Canada.” To learn more, visit the Circle’s website.
