Wednesday Liturgy: Follow-up: Christmastide Custom

ROME, JAN. 16, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Answered by Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university.

As a conclusion to our several columns on Christmas themes (see Dec. 19), I would like to share with our readers the practice of a Sydney, Australia, parish led by the Conventual Franciscans.

This initiative, described by a reader, might be of help in other countries as well:

"On the feast of the Holy Innocents, the parish celebrated with the faithful, the annual Mass of the Holy Innocents. The main celebrant of the Mass was the Most Reverend Anthony Fisher, O.P, episcopal vicar for life and health for the Archdiocese of Sydney. The Mass is held annually on this date, for the reparation of the sin of abortion and sanctity of human life.

"Within the friary grounds, the Conventual Franciscan friars have established a Shrine for the Unborn. For the past 12 years, every month the faithful have gathered here for a Mass dedicated to the reparation of the sin of abortion and the sanctity of human life. This is preceded with 14 hours of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament."