NINE DAYS OF PRAYER FOR RACIAL JUSTICE SEPT. 1-9

The nine-day prayer devotion for healing racial inequity continues through Sept. 9, the feast of St. Peter Claver, patron saint of interracial justice. St. Thomas Aquinas will commemorate the feast day with an hour-long service.

Archbishop Charles Thompson has asked all parishes to observe a day of prayer and fasting for racial justice on Sept. 9. In addition, Fr. Varghese asks that parishioners recite for nine days the Prayer for Racial Healing prepared by the Race and Culture committee (see below).

Adoration will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, on the little playground north of the church, weather permitting. Otherwise, it will be in the church. Please join us for this opportunity to examine our own hearts, seek forgiveness and pray for the courage to stand up for the rights of those who are treated unfairly because of the color of their skin.

St. Peter Claver, a Spanish Jesuit priest, ministered in the 1600s to African slaves who arrived in Colombia to be sold in South America. He is also the patron saint of African missions.

 

PRAYER FOR RACIAL HEALING

God our Father,

We praise and worship you.

We ask for forgiveness for our judgmental nature, our unconscious bias.

We pray that our faith in you helps us to overcome all racial divisions.

Jesus our Savior,

You were constantly judged by others.

Help us to follow you by denying ourselves

and carrying the cross of our brothers and sisters who are treated unfairly.

Holy Spirit,

Open our hearts and our minds to the needs of others.

Instill faith, hope and love, so that we may spread God’s kingdom on earth.

Guide us in honesty and truth, as we learn about one another.

Fill us with forgiveness and love.

That we all may be one.

Amen

 

CHILDREN’S VERSION

Dear God,

Thank you for creating us

in so many beautiful colors.

 

Jesus, please give us courage

to stand up for the rights of people

who are treated unfairly

because of the color of their skin.

Holy Spirit, give us wisdom

to know what people need.

Help us to show everyone

in our families, schools, city, country

and world how to love each other.

Because we are all one.

Amen