A big Feast Day in New Orleans, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us

 

Our Lady of Prompt Help (Succor)

Feast Day Jan. 8

by Sarah McDonald

On Jan. 7, 1815, the women of the City of New Orleans huddled into the chapel at the Ursuline Convent in the French Quarter. They, with their young children in tow gathered with the Ursuline Sisters and then Bishop Louis DuBourg for Mass while the men of New Orleans joined General Andrew Jackson as they prepared for battle with the British military forces.

While the War of 1812 had technically come to a conclusion, news traveled slowly in the early 1800s and there is little doubt in the mind of historians that should the British have taken control of the mouth of the Mississippi River that the war between the United States and Great Britain would have re-erupted. There is also little doubt that the British troops were better trained and far outnumbered General Jackson's rag tag group of soldiers, pirates and citizen volunteers. If prayers were ever needed for a miraculous victory, this was truly that time.

During the night, the Superior, Mother Ste. Marie Olivier de Vezin, promised Our Lady that if Jackson and his men won, a Mass of Thanksgiving would be sung every year in memory of her saving help to the city on that day.

As the battle played out in the swamps of what is now Chalmette in the early morning hours of Jan 8, upriver, Bishop DuBourg began Mass. Those gathered prayed fervently for God to spare the lives of their loved ones and for the city to be saved. Then, just as Mass was coming to its conclusion, a messenger came barreling through the door - the British had been defeated, New Orleans was safe.

This year on the feast day of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Jan. 8 at 4 p.m., New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond will keep that promise made in 1815 and celebrate the Mass of Thanksgiving at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor (2701 State St., New Orleans). 

On display during the Mass will be the beautiful statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. In 1895, the statue, gilded in gold, was crowned by Decree of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIII; and in 1928, the Holy See approved and confirmed the naming of Our Lady of Prompt Succor as the Principal Patroness of the City of New Orleans and of the State of Louisiana.

On the website of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor it is written, "Standing in the central niche over the main altar on State Street, (Our Lady) welcomes all who come to honor her, to thank her for her intercession, and to pray for her help and protection, not only from global wars and devastating storms but, also, in overcoming greater enemies...poverty, illness, ignorance, racism, and violence."

All are welcome to the Mass to join their prayers with over 200 years of prayers invoking Our Lady of Prompt Succor's protection over New Orleans and its citizens.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us!

A prayer for her feast day, January 8th

 Litany of Our Lady of Prompt Succor

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.

Mother of the Infant Jesus, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of all who invoke you with confidence, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of all who are devout toward the Infant Jesus, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for obtaining a lively faith, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for sustaining the hope of Christians, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for obtaining and persevering in charity, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for observing the law of God, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for observing perseverance in virtue and good works, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every spiritual necessity, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the revolt of self-will, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in the occasion of sin, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every temptation, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the evil spirit, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for obtaining contrition, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of those wishing to re-enter the path of salvation, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for the conversion of sinners, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every temporal necessity, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every affliction, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of afflicted families, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of the sick and the poor, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against contagious diseases and epidemics, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every accident, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against destruction by fire, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against lightning and tempest, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against destruction by flood, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of travelers, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of navigators, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of the shipwrecked, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the enemies of our country, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in time of war, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of those aspiring to the holy priesthood and the religious life, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of laborers in the Lord's vineyard, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of missionaries who spread the faith, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of our Holy Father the Pope, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for those searching for the faith, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the enemies of the Church, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor at the hour of death, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for the deliverance of the Souls in Purgatory, pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

V: Our Lady of Prompt Succor, pray for us.
R: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
O Almighty and Eternal God, Who sees us surrounded by so many dangers and miseries, grant in Thine infinite goodness that the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Thy Divine Son, may defend us from the evil spirit and protect us against all adversities, that always and with prompt succor she may deliver us from every evil of soul and body, and safely guide us to the kingdom of Heaven, through the merits of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

The patroness of New Orleans; Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us

 

Our Lady of Prompt Succor – Feast Day – January 8

Our Lady of Prompt Succor is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary as a promise by Mother Saint Michel while seeking her intervention on receiving a prompt letter from the then head of the church, Pope Pius VII. The Blessed Virgin Mary, under this title is celebrated on January 8.

Saint Our Lady of Prompt Succor’s Life History

Notre Dame du Prompt Secours, french for, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, is a title given to a wooden devotional image of the Madonna and Child enshrined in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The title was coined by Mother Saint Michel as a promise to the Blessed Virgin Mary that if she received a prompt reply to a letter she was sending to the then Napoleon’s prisoner, Pope Pius VII, she would have her honored in New Orleans under that title. She had been requested, together with other sisters by Mother Saint Andre Madier, to travel from France to the USA to assist the nuns there in their schools.

The church was suffering great distress then, especially in France, where there were persecutions from the revolution under Napoleon, while in USA, it was facing fears of the anti-clerical sentiments posed by the French who had taken over from the Spanish.

Mother Saint Michel, on receiving the request from the church in the USA, approached Bishop Fournier of Montpelier to request a transfer, but the bishop advised the nun that the Pope was the only one with the authority to grant that request. She then sent her petition on March 19, 1809 and received a letter from Pope Pius VII, granting her request.

She commissioned a statue upon being granted the transfer request and took it to Bishop Fournier for its consecration. She then set for New Orleans and arrived there with the statue on December 31, 1810 and it was placed in the monastery chapel of the Old Ursuline convent on Chartres Street in the French Quarters.

In 1812, there was a great fire at the Vieux Carre and the Ursuline convent was facing imminent danger. Due to this, they were instructed to evacuate the premises, however, Marthe Delate, placed a small statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor on a window seat and St Michel began to pray aloud, and immediately the wind that threatened to set their convent ablaze immediately switched direction and a couple of buildings, including theirs, were spared from the inferno. This was the first major historical miracle.

Three years later, America’s 6000 troops, under General Andrew Jackson were to face 15000 British soldiers. On the eve of the battle of New Orleans, the residents joined the sisters of the Ursuline convent to pray overnight to implore Our Lady of Prompt Succor. The Superior had made a vow to have a thanksgiving mass sung annually if the American forces win and during a mass, at the time of communion, a courier ran into the chapel to inform all present that the British had been defeated. Ever since then, on January 8, an annual thanksgiving mass has been sung.

Pope Pius IX decreed devotion of the feast of Our Lady of Prompt Succor on September 21 1851. Pope Leo XIII approved the canonical coronation of the wooden image on June 21 1894 and on June 13 1928, Pope Pius XI declared the Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title Our Lady of Prompt Succor as the Patroness of Louisiana.

Saint Our Lady of Prompt Succor’s Birth

The title was coined in France, the year 1810 AD by one, Mother Saint Michel.

Witnesses

Witnesses to her miracles are, Mother Saint Michel, President Andrew Jackson, American Forces in the battle of New Orleans and the sisters of the Ursuline convent.

Major Shrine

Her major shrine is in the National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor’s Feast Day

Her feast day is set every year on January 8.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor’s Patronage

Saint Our Lady of Prompt Succor’s is the patroness of Louisiana and its protector against hurricanes.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor’s Prayer

Prayer to Our Lady of Prompt Succor;

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us… O Mother of God, thou art our Mediatrix most kind and loving. Hasten, then, to our help, and as thou didst once save thy beloved city from ravaging fire and our country from an alien forces, do now have piety on our misery and obtain for us the graces we beg of thee.

January 8th in the Archdiocese of New Orleans is the Solemnity of our patroness, Our Lady of Prompt Succor

 

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us

 

Our Lady of Prompt Succor – Feast Day – January 8

Our Lady of Prompt Succor is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary as a promise by Mother Saint Michel while seeking her intervention on receiving a prompt letter from the then head of the church, Pope Pius VII. The Blessed Virgin Mary, under this title is celebrated on January 8.

Saint Our Lady of Prompt Succor’s Life History

Notre Dame du Prompt Secours, french for, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, is a title given to a wooden devotional image of the Madonna and Child enshrined in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The title was coined by Mother Saint Michel as a promise to the Blessed Virgin Mary that if she received a prompt reply to a letter she was sending to the then Napoleon’s prisoner, Pope Pius VII, she would have her honored in New Orleans under that title. She had been requested, together with other sisters by Mother Saint Andre Madier, to travel from France to the USA to assist the nuns there in their schools.

The church was suffering great distress then, especially in France, where there were persecutions from the revolution under Napoleon, while in USA, it was facing fears of the anti-clerical sentiments posed by the French who had taken over from the Spanish.

Mother Saint Michel, on receiving the request from the church in the USA, approached Bishop Fournier of Montpelier to request a transfer, but the bishop advised the nun that the Pope was the only one with the authority to grant that request. She then sent her petition on March 19, 1809 and received a letter from Pope Pius VII, granting her request.

She commissioned a statue upon being granted the transfer request and took it to Bishop Fournier for its consecration. She then set for New Orleans and arrived there with the statue on December 31, 1810 and it was placed in the monastery chapel of the Old Ursuline convent on Chartres Street in the French Quarters.

In 1812, there was a great fire at the Vieux Carre and the Ursuline convent was facing imminent danger. Due to this, they were instructed to evacuate the premises, however, Marthe Delate, placed a small statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor on a window seat and St Michel began to pray aloud, and immediately the wind that threatened to set their convent ablaze immediately switched direction and a couple of buildings, including theirs, were spared from the inferno. This was the first major historical miracle.

Three years later, America’s 6000 troops, under General Andrew Jackson were to face 15000 British soldiers. On the eve of the battle of New Orleans, the residents joined the sisters of the Ursuline convent to pray overnight to implore Our Lady of Prompt Succor. The Superior had made a vow to have a thanksgiving mass sung annually if the American forces win and during a mass, at the time of communion, a courier ran into the chapel to inform all present that the British had been defeated. Ever since then, on January 8, an annual thanksgiving mass has been sung.

Pope Pius IX decreed devotion of the feast of Our Lady of Prompt Succor on September 21 1851. Pope Leo XIII approved the canonical coronation of the wooden image on June 21 1894 and on June 13 1928, Pope Pius XI declared the Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title Our Lady of Prompt Succor as the Patroness of Louisiana.

Monday, January 9th across the state of Louisiana: The Solemnity of Our Lady of Prompt Succor

 

Important note for 2023: This year the feast was transferred from January 8th to the 9th and is a Solemnity throughout the ecclesial province of New Orleans (the entire state of Louisiana).  Since it is a Solemnity the Baptism of the Lord, also assigned to January 9th this year will not be celebrated in Louisiana.  After the celebration of Our Lady of Prompt Succor on the 9th, the Church commences Ordinary Time

Our Lady of Prompt Succor
Devotion to Our Lady of Prompt Succor dates back to 1802, when the Ursuline Order in New Orleans pleaded for help in sustaining the Order with new sisters from France. Their prayers were answered with papal permission for sisters to be transferred from France to New Orleans. In thanksgiving for this favor, the Ursulines dedicated a statue in their convent chapel to Our Lady of Prompt Succor in 1810.

In 1812, a terrible fire broke out in New Orleans, and the wind was blowing the flames toward the convent. Prayers before the statue of Our Lady were answered with a reversal of the wind direction and the convent was spared.

During the Battle of New Orleans, in 1815, the sisters again invoked the assistance of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. As the sound of guns and cannons thundered around the chapel during Mass, they vowed to have a Mass of Thanksgiving sung every year if the Americans were victorious. At Communion time, a messenger arrived with the news that Gen. Andrew Jackson's overmatched army had successfully driven the British from the city. Once again Our Lady had responded promptly.

In 1928, the Holy See approved the selection of Our Lady of Prompt Succor as the Patroness of the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana. The Mass of Thanksgiving is offered each January 8 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor in New Orleans.

Patron: State of Louisiana; the Archdiocese of New Orleans; City of New Orleans

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us

 

Our Lady of Prompt Succor – Feast Day – January 8

Our Lady of Prompt Succor is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary as a promise by Mother Saint Michel while seeking her intervention on receiving a prompt letter from the then head of the church, Pope Pius VII. The Blessed Virgin Mary, under this title is celebrated on January 8.

Saint Our Lady of Prompt Succor’s Life History

Notre Dame du Prompt Secours, french for, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, is a title given to a wooden devotional image of the Madonna and Child enshrined in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The title was coined by Mother Saint Michel as a promise to the Blessed Virgin Mary that if she received a prompt reply to a letter she was sending to the then Napoleon’s prisoner, Pope Pius VII, she would have her honored in New Orleans under that title. She had been requested, together with other sisters by Mother Saint Andre Madier, to travel from France to the USA to assist the nuns there in their schools.

The church was suffering great distress then, especially in France, where there were persecutions from the revolution under Napoleon, while in USA, it was facing fears of the anti-clerical sentiments posed by the French who had taken over from the Spanish.

Mother Saint Michel, on receiving the request from the church in the USA, approached Bishop Fournier of Montpelier to request a transfer, but the bishop advised the nun that the Pope was the only one with the authority to grant that request. She then sent her petition on March 19, 1809 and received a letter from Pope Pius VII, granting her request.

She commissioned a statue upon being granted the transfer request and took it to Bishop Fournier for its consecration. She then set for New Orleans and arrived there with the statue on December 31, 1810 and it was placed in the monastery chapel of the Old Ursuline convent on Chartres Street in the French Quarters.

In 1812, there was a great fire at the Vieux Carre and the Ursuline convent was facing imminent danger. Due to this, they were instructed to evacuate the premises, however, Marthe Delate, placed a small statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor on a window seat and St Michel began to pray aloud, and immediately the wind that threatened to set their convent ablaze immediately switched direction and a couple of buildings, including theirs, were spared from the inferno. This was the first major historical miracle.

Three years later, America’s 6000 troops, under General Andrew Jackson were to face 15000 British soldiers. On the eve of the battle of New Orleans, the residents joined the sisters of the Ursuline convent to pray overnight to implore Our Lady of Prompt Succor. The Superior had made a vow to have a thanksgiving mass sung annually if the American forces win and during a mass, at the time of communion, a courier ran into the chapel to inform all present that the British had been defeated. Ever since then, on January 8, an annual thanksgiving mass has been sung.

Pope Pius IX decreed devotion of the feast of Our Lady of Prompt Succor on September 21 1851. Pope Leo XIII approved the canonical coronation of the wooden image on June 21 1894 and on June 13 1928, Pope Pius XI declared the Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title Our Lady of Prompt Succor as the Patroness of Louisiana.

Saint Our Lady of Prompt Succor’s Birth

The title was coined in France, the year 1810 AD by one, Mother Saint Michel.

Witnesses

Witnesses to her miracles are, Mother Saint Michel, President Andrew Jackson, American Forces in the battle of New Orleans and the sisters of the Ursuline convent.

Major Shrine

Her major shrine is in the National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor’s Feast Day

Her feast day is set every year on January 8.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor’s Patronage

Saint Our Lady of Prompt Succor’s is the patroness of Louisiana and its protector against hurricanes.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor’s Prayer

Prayer to Our Lady of Prompt Succor;

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us… O Mother of God, thou art our Mediatrix most kind and loving. Hasten, then, to our help, and as thou didst once save thy beloved city from ravaging fire and our country from an alien forces, do now have piety on our misery and obtain for us the graces we beg of thee.

One month ago today

 It was August 29th, incredibly the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, when Hurricane Ida came ashore at Port Fouchon, LA with sustained winds of 150mph.  Once again and for the fourth time in just over a year, Louisiana residents would have lives changed for a very long time, if not forever.  Widescale destruction came to places with names like Grand Isle, Lafourche Parish, Terrebonne Parish, St. Charles Parish, St. John the Baptist Parish, Laplace, St. James Parish, Tangipahoa Parish, Lafitte, Barataria, Irondale, Myrtle Grove and lower Plaquemines Parish as well as parts of New Orleans and my community in St. Tammany Parish.  Homes destroyed, severely damaged, some lives lost and very long periods without electricity, water and gasoline.  Yet at the same time, it has now been 30 days with incredible acts of charity, generosity and love from neighbor helping neighbor, families banding together, churches stepping up big time and various forms of social service coming to the aid of so many.  And with over 1 million homes and businesses without power, today that number is below 10,000.  Linemen from across the nation came in to help us.  Crews from across the country arrived ready to tarp roofs and muck out houses.  Debris and garbage crews can hardly keep up.  And incredibly most, not all, schools are back teaching.  There is a resilient spirit here, a never say die or give up attitude, yet the work post hurricane is exhausting.  In some cases, very exhausting, both physically and mentally.

Louisiana has actually been hit by 7 named storms since June of 2020; not all very strong, but 4 that were huge impactful hurricanes.  We have had our fair share of dangerous foul weather.  And still we stand!  

We have a huge devotion in southeast Louisiana to Mary under the title Our Lady of Prompt Succor; this dates back to the Battle of New Orleans in 1815.  Every year, from June through November, the churches of the dioceses of south Louisiana invoke her motherly intercession and protection.  And yes, even when the storms come, we feel her powerful help.

For many, the days of fall the coming holidays will still be a time of rebuilding and recovery.  Think of these good people often and include them in your prayers.  We will persevere, with the help of God.  But please forgive us if we beg God for a break from inclement weather, particularly hurricanes.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us.

For all Catholics in Archdiocese of New Orleans

 The obligation to attend Mass this Sunday (and Saturday vigil) is dispensed due to Hurricane Ida.

Check with local parishes as some are cancelling and others are continuing to offer Mass at least in the morning.

The decision to dispense Mass obligation was made by Archbishop Aymond.

I'm evacuated far from the Archdiocese but will be praying all weekend for best possible outcomes.  May we be protected from harm, damage and stay safe.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, pray for us.

Jesus, you calmed the seas, calm the wind and the rain and the storm surge from Hurricane Ida!

A prayer to Our Lady of Prompt Succor via the Archdiocese of New Orleans

 

Our Lady of Prompt Succor,

ever Virgin Mother of Jesus Christ our Lord and God,

you are most powerful against the enemy of our salvation. The divine promise of a Redeemer was announced right after the sin of our first parents; and you, through your Divine Son, crushed the serpent’s head.

Hasten, then, to our help and deliver us from the deceits of Satan. Intercede for us with Jesus that we may always accept God’s graces and be found faithful to Him in our particular states of life.

As you once saved our beloved city from ravaging flames and our country from an invading army, have pity on us and obtain for us protection from hurricanes and all other disasters.

(Silent pause for individual petitions.)

Assist us in the many trials which beset our path through life. Watch over the Church and the Pope as they uphold with total fidelity the purity of faith and morals against unremitting opposition.

Be to us truly Our Lady of Prompt Succor now and especially at the hour of our death, that we may gain everlasting life through the merits of Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us!

Amen.

In the Archdiocese of New Orleans we call upon Our Lady of Prompt Succor

Tomorrow at 4 pm, Archbishop Aymond will keep a promise made 205 years ago as he celebrates the annual Mass to honor Our Lady of Prompt Succor at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor on State St. For almost a decade, at the request of the archbishop, the people of New Orleans have asked for her intercession in the "New Battle of New Orleans". Tonight, we reflect on that "battle" with the archbishop.

 

01/07/2020

Pray and work that we can be a peaceful people

Posted By: Site Administrator Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond, Archdiocese of New Orleans, Battle of New Orleans, Clarion Herald, Our lady of Prompt Succor

By Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond, Clarion Herald

You have made a very public effort to ask people to pray for the intercession of Our Lady of Prompt Succor to reduce violence, murder and racism in our community. How thankful are you for the drop in the murder rate in New Orleans?

I was very pleased to see that the murder rate in New Orleans is the lowest it has been in decades. At the same time, I am concerned because the number of murders has increased in other areas of our archdiocese. Our concern as a local church is not just for the city of New Orleans but for all areas of our archdiocese. I believe that where there is a decrease in violence and murder, it is because of the prayers of the people as well as the goodwill of many who are trying to prevent violence. I reiterate that it is important for all of our parishes to pray Our Family Prayer every Sunday at Mass to ask, through the intercession of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, that God help us to be a more peaceful people. Any decline in murder is the result of our prayerfulness, our dependence on God and the efforts of many people, including law enforcement.

You commemorated the Battle of New Orleans with  the 205th Annual Mass of Thanksgiving to Our Lady of Prompt Succor on Jan. 8.

Yes. I have often said the Battle of New Orleans was a battle against another country more than 200 years ago, but now we are faced with a new Battle of New Orleans which we must lovingly fight against violence, murder and racism. All three are alive in varying ways within our archdiocese. Some of the violence and murder is a result of racism; some is a result of mental illness; some is simply revenge or hatred in the hearts of people. Our Family Prayer asks God to change the hearts of those who are inclined to violence. The pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor on State Street is a very important one for me every year not only because it celebrates the history of the Battle of New Orleans but also because it helps relate that battle to our present-day situation. I also want to remind us that violence very often takes place with words, whether in person or in social media, when we have finger-pointing and name-calling and disrespect for people. That’s a form of violence. Perhaps it is more prevalent today because of Twitter and Facebook. I know some parishes that have been sorely affected by the derogatory words about others posted by differing camps. We know that this is not representing the mind and the heart of Jesus.

There also have been more recent examples of religious violence in our country and throughout the world.

Yes, we bring to prayer the people in Texas, where there was a church shooting, and the people in New York, where several Jewish worshipers were attacked. As the president of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops said, violence in the name of God is blasphemy, and the rise of anti-Semitic violence in our country and across the world must be condemned, along with the ongoing persecution of Christians. It is good to remember that as the shepherds were in the fields on that Christmas night, they heard the angels of God tell them, “Glory to God in the highest, and peace to people of goodwill.” Please join me in prayer every day that our hearts will be filled with goodwill and with the example of Jesus to work toward peace.