The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will mark Lent 2008 with Pardon and Peace, a special program inviting Catholics to celebrate the gift of forgiveness in the Sacrament of Confession. Every Church will be open every Wednesday night for Confessions from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. beginning on February 13th. This is part of the Bicentennial Celebration of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Catholics are invited to Pardon and Peace through their parish bulletins, billboards and radio messages. In the radio message Cardinal Rigali says, "All Roman Catholic Churches in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will be open for Confession Wednesday evenings in Lent. I encourage you to experience the wondrous gift of Jesus' loving forgiveness leading up to Easter."

Lent is the penitential season of prayer and sacrifice from Ash Wednesday through Holy Thursday, in preparation for Easter. On Ash Wednesday, February 6, 2008, Most Reverend Daniel E. Thomas, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, will celebrate Mass and distribute ashes at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul at 12:05 p.m. (Cardinal Rigali will be in Rome for meetings.) Ashes will be distributed after the homily. The symbolic ashes remind the faithful of their mortality.

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Editor's Note:An audio and video mult-box feed will be provided in the parking lot of the Cathedral. Please enter on 17th Street, between Race and Vine Streets. Crews will need a bnc connector and a recording deck or a live truck. Television cameras will not be permitted in the Cathedral. Reporters and still photographers will be permitted in the Cathedral.

Contact
Meredith Wilson
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747