By Felix Anthony

Miao, March 31, 2019: A remote diocese in northeastern India joined Pope Francis’ “24 Hours for the Lord” initiative.

Miao diocese in Arunachal Pradesh on March 29 held Eucharistic Adoration and Sacrament of Reconciliation as part of the fifth recurrence of papal initiative.

A church in every diocese around the world is kept open for 24 hours as part of the initiative.

The annual event is organized and promoted by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization.

Leading the services at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Neotan, the biggest church in Arunachal Pradesh, Auxiliary Bishop Dennis Panipitchai of Miao invited the faithful to experience the God’s embrace at the Sacrament of Reconciliation. “Make this opportunity as a unique occasion to return to the Father,” said the Salesian prelate who also sat the confessional.

More than 300 faithful attended the evening service at the village church that corresponded with Pope Francis’ presiding over the opening ceremony with a penitential celebration in St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome.

Some of them had to walk a few kilometers from neighboring villages to join this Lenten spiritual exercise.

“It is a meaningful spiritual journey back to the Father during this Lenten season,” said a teary-eyed participant at the end of the Eucharistic Adoration.