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The American bishops have offered a Novena in preparation for the election on November 4. If you begin the novena on Monday October 27, it will end on election day. The link takes you to the Novena where you will find a scripture passage and points for prayer and reflection for each of the nine days. In addition here's a prayer adapted from the Catholic Book of Household Blessings and Prayers:
Lord God, as the election approaches,
we seek to better understand the issues and concerns
that confront our city, state and country,
and how the Gospel compels us to respond
as faithful citizens in our community.
We ask for eyes free from blindness
so that we might see each other as brothers and sisters,
one and equal in dignity,
especially those who are victims
of abuse and violence, deceit and poverty.
We ask for ears that will hear
the cries of children unborn and those abandoned,
men and women oppressed because of race or creed,
religion or gender.
We ask for minds and hearts
open to hearing the voices of leaders
whose work brings us closer to your reign of peace.
We pray for your Spirit to guide our discernment
that we may chose leaders
who hear the wisdom in your Word,
live your love, and keep in the ways of your truth.
Help us to follow in the steps of Jesus and his apostles
and come to the Kingdom he has promised.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Nov 4 NovenaNov 4 Novena
The link to the novena does not work.
ReplyDeleteThanks! It's fixed!
ReplyDeleteI received a video email from someone and it was produced by "Catholic Vote". I found it to be a call to vote a particular way saying that certain issues must take prioritiy. They encourage all people to vote (which is good) but the message was obvious... I do not know who backed this vdeo but I found it offensive. My friend also told me that her priest said: (I Kid You Not!!!) "If you vote Democratic, you will sin! Because only ONE issue counts!" Sorry, but to me that party also does not respect life in other areas - a war, death penalty... Just my thoughts as we go in for the final week.
ReplyDeleteI believe you'll find the Novena and the prayer above to be reflective of major issues but free from partisanship.
ReplyDeleteLet us pray1
I couldn't agree with Anonymous more when he/she stated there is more than one pro-life issue.
ReplyDeleteWhat about the war in Iraq and the loss of so many young men? What about the death penalty. Doesn't that all fall under Pro-Life?
Let us pray!
My conscience tells me strongly that I must vote for candidates both of whom I believe to be capable, by virtue of intelligence, knowledge, and compassion, of governing this country competently and fairly and for the good of all its citizens to the greatest extent possible. Reduction in poverty and improvement in educational support, as well as peace in our time, will help those here already and contribute to fewer deaths of the unborn and to better lives of all. Ours should be a government of the people, by the people, and FOR the people - all of them! All colors, creeds, statuses.
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