Report and pics by Adolf Washington
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Aug 12: Blessing open Zion Prayer House, Bangalore Archdiocese' first 24-hour prayer house on Sunday August 10, Archbishop Bernard Moras told a gathering of priests and laity at St Mary's Basilica here, "Our Archdiocese is truly blessed  with this 24-hour prayer house, but the Spirit of praying for others must permeate every Catholic home in the Archdiocese.  We must consider it our Christian responsibility to pray for the needs of others".  The prayer house was inaugurated on the 67th Birthday of the Archbishop.

Fr Augustine Valooran, Director of Divine Retreat Centre, in his homily said, "It is a great assurance for us to have a prayer house in the shrine of Our Blessed Mother, our powerful intercessor. But we must go beyond just asking Mother Mary to intercede for us, we must pray with Her for the needs of others." Fr Valooran said, "The Zion Prayer House is the Archbishops birthday gift to the Archdiocese." 

Talking to SAR News Fr Anthonyswamy the Parish Priest of St Mary's Basilica said, "Since people are thronging to this Basilica in thousands, seeking God's grace through the intercession of Mother Mary, we felt we must go one step further in establishing a 24-hour prayer house that can intercede for a larger number of people all across the city and even beyond." Zion Prayer house functions on 32489666 but will soon have more lines for people to call in.  When asked about the functioning of the Prayer House, he said, "We have committed teams of intercessors including priests, nuns and laity who will pray for every specific intention we receive".

Rector of the Shrine Fr Arulappa and other parish clergy participated in the inauguration.