On November 21, 1953, the Memorial of The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Pope Pius XII instituted Pro Orantibus Day dedicated to all cloistered communities. On this recurrence, the faithful are encouraged to give thanks to the Lord for the gift of the contemplative life and, in particular, for all of those men and women who have responded so generously to this unique vocational call and who each day, from the various cloisters spread throughout the world, offer their prayers unceasingly for the building up of the Kingdom of God.

On the recurrence of this Day during the Year of Faith, it would be remiss not to remember in a special way the religious men and women who intercede daily for the needs and the intentions of the Universal Church and the entire world.

Thus, on Thursday, November 21, Pope Francis will visit the Camaldolese Monastery of Sant’Antonio Abate on the Aventine in Rome for Vespers and Eucharistic Adoration.

Let us spiritually unite in this moment of prayer, beginning at 16:45 (Rome time) with Pope Francis and the communities of contemplative life around the world.

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