Our Family Prayer for the Archdiocese of New Orleans

>>>New Orleans is a great place on so many levels and is a wonderful faith community.  New Orleans and the far reaching areas of it's suburbs and growth areas of the River Parishes and the Northshore is steeped in Catholicism.  Thanks be to God that our Church is alive and active and growing.  Our Archbishop Gregory Aymond is, like many of us, troubled that this great place struggles mightily with violence, murder and racism.  Just earlier today I posted a news report as one of our own Archdiocesan employees was shot in a home invasion.  My wife and I now know the fear of receiving a call from a child who was robbed and confined at gunpoint during a brazen armed robbery.

Archbishop Aymond has asked us here in the Archdiocese to pray this prayer to fight the scourge of violence, murder and racism.  And he invokes Our Lady of Prompt Succor, who has interceeded for New Orleans in the past and our own Mother Henriette Delille, whose cause for sainthood is gaining steam.  We call this prayer a family prayer because we are all in this together and Archbishop Aymond calls our battle the New Battle of New Orleans.  Unlike the approaching British troops in 1815, the enemy we face today comes from within our own diocese, city, streets, schools and homes.  I have published the prayer today and ask that you consider lifting up the Archdiocese and City of New Orleans in your prayers as we sincerely, and with God's help, do battle against violence, murder and racism.

The New Battle of New Orleans: Violence, Murder, Racism
By: archdioceseofno

Our Family Prayer
Loving and faithful God, through the years the people of our archdiocese have appreciated the prayers and love of Our Lady of Prompt Succor in times of war, disaster, epidemic and illness. We come to you, Father, with Mary our Mother, and ask you to help us in the battle of today against violence,murder and racism.
We implore you to give us your wisdom that we may build a community founded on the values of Jesus, which gives respect to the life and dignity of all people.

Bless parents that they may form their children in faith. Bless and protect our youth that they may be peacemakers of our time. Give consolation to those who have lost loved ones through violence.

Hear our prayer and give us the perseverance to be a voice for life and human dignity in our community.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us.

Mother Henriette Delille, pray for us that we may be a holy family.