Posted July 12, 2016

The Knights of Columbus have initiated a campaign encouraging all people of good will to join in praying for peace July 14-22 in the wake of the violence toward citizens and police throughout the nation over the last several days.

These horrific actions need prayer to bring them to an end, to provide comfort and healing, and to help with future resolutions so such acts do not happen again.

Archbishop Charles Chaput invites everyone to participate in the novena by offering the following Prayer for Peace of St. Francis of Assisi for each of the nine days from Thursday, July 14 through Friday, July 22.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. 

Everyone is invited to make the novena Prayer for Peace a part of their daily prayer such as part of grace before or after meals, during adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament and before or after the holy rosary.

Pastors may encourage the prayer to be recited before or after Mass during the nine days. The following may also be added as an intention for the Universal Prayer during the period of the novena.

For peace and safety on all the streets of our nation,
that this will allow for greater harmony among peoples
and protection from violence and harm.
Let us pray to the Lord/Lord, hear our prayer.

Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us!