“If the pope can tweet, friars can text”: US friars encourage prayers via text
Pope Benedict XVI has accumulated nearly 1.5 million Twitter followers since joining the social networking site in December last year, paving the way for other representatives of the Catholic faith to encourage the use of modern technology.
As such, the Holy Name Province, self-described as the largest group of friars in the US, has announced that they will now accept prayers via text.
The initiative has been titled “Text a Prayer Intention to a Franciscan Friar” and has encouraged people to text the word PRAYER to 306-44. Senders will then receive a message asking them to submit their prayer and then a confirmation message that it has been received and will be prayed for.
Father David Convertino, executive director of development for the Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province, said in a statement: "With technology changing the way we communicate, we needed to offer people an updated way to ask for prayers for special intentions and needs either for themselves or others….If the pope can tweet, friars can text!"