DATE & TIME

A liturgy to be held between 5.00pm and 6.00pm on Sunday 25 October 2020

PURPOSE

The National Day of Sorrow and Promise emerged to acknowledge survivors of abuse within the Catholic Church and all those who have been hurt by that abuse. Underpinning this, is a clear promise for a better, safer future.

LITURGY BOOKLET

Feel free to download the Liturgy booklet for the National Day of Sorrow and Promise, it has been designed to be printed as an A5 colour booklet.

There is also a B&W version of the booklet and a PowerPoint - contact CRA if you require these.

Suggestions for music are in the booklet.

PROMISE STATEMENT

We invite you to read and share the Promise Statement.

RITUAL

We noted that due to COVID-19, some people may not be able to gather, travel or touch so the ritual included is the burning of incense and the placing of grains of incense on the burner, as a symbol of our sinfulness burning itself up.

THEME

Matthew’s account of Jesus walking on the water (14:22-33) evokes the theme ‘Out of the Depths’. Like Jesus, we are called to go out into the storm and reach out to the individual and save that one person, as Jesus saved Peter. Jesus is our Salvation.

FURTHER RESOURCE

Homily from Frank Brennan SJ on National Day of Sorrow & Promise

HISTORY

Last year, the National Day of Sorrow and Promise was held on 20 October 2019, the closest Sunday to the anniversary of the National Apology to Victims and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse.

The first National Day of Sorrow and Promise was held on 2 December 2018, Advent, marking the beginning of the Church year.