United in prayer

Last year, the Holy Father issued a letter to Catholics in China. In it, he expressed his pastoral concern for the small community of Catholics who continue to forge ahead despite the torrent of dangers which would normally snuff out the small flickering flame of faith that exists there.

In the letter, His Holiness proclaimed a World Day of Prayer for the Church in China which will take place annually on May 24. In preparation for the first World Day of Prayer, the Bishop of Hong Kong, Joseph Cardinal Zen asked the Holy Father to issue a plenary indulgence (a kind of get out of jail free card) for all those who observe the Day of Prayer.

• What is a plenary indulgence?

Ten days after a deadly cyclone hit the country of Myanmar, details of the earthquake that hit China on Monday are being broadcast around the world. The tremors continue and the death toll has now been confirmed to be more than 12,000. Only with time will we truly learn the extent of the damage that has been inflicted by the earthquake. In the meanwhile, emergency goods and services are reaching those who are suffering as a result of the earthquake that ravaged the province of Sichuan (China), doing what we can to bring relief to those who are trying their best to put the pieces back together.

• Photos from China taken following the earthquake

We continue to pray for those who are suffering as a result of the forces of nature and for those who are involved in bringing help to those in need.