Christians from all over the world are being encouraged by the Pope to unite together in prayer on September 28.

In a statement this morning, Archbishop Paul Cremona, Gozo bishop Mario Grech and auxiliary bishop Charles Scicluna said bishops from all over the world are meeting in Rome for the extraordinary synod on ‘Pastoral challenges for the family in the context of evangelisation’ between October 5 and 19.

This, they said, would be a defining moment for the Church and for this reason, every believer was being called to participate.

In preparation, the bishops’s said, Pope Francis was encouraging Christians from around the world to unite together with one heart in a moment of prayer on September 28.

They urged parish communities and families to, on September 28 and also on the days leading up to the Synod, recite the prayer to the Holy Family which the Pope has written (see pdf link below), as well as to offer special prayers for the meeting.

They encouraged Christians, particularly families, to pray the rosary together.

“We pray that, through the intercession of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, this Synod will serve as a moment of grace and renewal for the Church and for families around the world,” they said.