Sunday, September 30, 2012

Because you asked: details on the Novena for our country; religious freedom

Novena to the Mother of God For Our Nation

Fr. Joshua Janko
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We are approaching elections in just a few short months. The Church calls us to be good citizens of our nation. By our baptism, Catholics are committed to following Jesus Christ and to be "salt for the earth, light for the nations." As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, "It is necessary that all participate, according to his position and role, in promoting the common good. This is inherent in the dignity of the human person ... As far as possible citizens should take an active part in public life" (nos. 1913-1915).
As Americans, we are blessed with so many freedoms and opportunities. So many people have sacrificed so very much so we might be able to live as we live in our country. This election year, let's remember our faith in Jesus Christ. Let us also remember the freedoms that we enjoy, especially that of Religious Freedom.
There is a wonderful Novena to the Mother of God For Our Nation that began on Saturday September 29 on the Feast of the Guardian Angels and it is available to pray at multiple websites. The National Catholic Register (www.ncregister.com) has the novena at http://www.ncregister.com/images/documents/NCRnovena.pdf and EWTN (www.ewtn.com) has the novena at http://www.religiousliberties.org/novena/ .
Even if you start the Novena today, that will be wonderful to help you remember what is truly important. What is truly important? Well, the central tenets of our faith as is mentioned at http://www.religiousliberties.org/novena/ - "the Incarnation, passion, death, resurrection of the Lord and Mary's unique role in our salvation."

I will conclude with a prayer I found on the U.S. Bishops Website www.usccb.org for the Protection of Religious Liberty. I hope to pray this a number of times before the November election for our amazing nation, the United States of America.

Prayer for the Protection of Religious Liberty

O God our Creator,
from your provident hand we have received
our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
You have called us as your people and given us
the right and the duty to worship you, the only true God,
and your Son, Jesus Christ.
Through the power and working of your Holy Spirit,
you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world,
bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel
to every corner of society.
We ask you to bless us
in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty.
Give us the strength of mind and heart
to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened;
give us courage in making our voices heard
on behalf of the rights of your Church
and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith.
Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father,
a clear and united voice to all your sons and daughters
gathered in your Church
in this decisive hour in the history of our nation,
so that, with every trial withstood
and every danger overcome—
for the sake of our children, our grandchildren,
and all who come after us—
this great land will always be "one nation, under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Source: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/prayer-resources.cfm

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