Prayer works. Calling on our God for guidance, assistance, relief, and peace is always answered, as all prayers are in one way or another. And if God is with us, we are never left alone. Back-up and support comes in numerous ways.

The following prayer was shared with me by my friend, Marla, who received it from her sister. It’s intended as a novena, a prayer to be prayed for 9 days. However, praying it any day, for any number of days, is effective.

The prayer asks that we be merciful and respectful of one another no matter our beliefs, that we remember each of us is created by our loving God. It also calls on the eleven saints who invested in our country through their compassion, diligence, wisdom, and powerful faith to pray for us.

Thank you St. Joseph Church on Capitol Hill for composing this prayer and sharing it with the nation. I find it interesting that a parish by the name of St. Joseph should write this prayer as Pope Frances recently dedicated the coming year to St. Joseph.

American Novena

Father of Providence,

Grant us the courage to extend mercy and respect to those with whom we disagree.  Grant us a heart to love this country according to Your Will, seeing in every human person a son or daughter of the One who wants to be called “our Father.” We ask this through Christ, Our Lord, Amen.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton—Pray for us.
St. John Neumann—Pray for us.
St. Marianne Cope—Pray for us.
St. Katherine Drexel—Pray for us.
St. Damien of Molokai—Pray for us.
St. Junipero Serra—Pray for us.
St. Kateri Tekakwitha—Pray for us.
St. Mother Theodore Guérin—Pray for us.
St. Isaac Jogues and Companions—Pray for us.
St. Francis Xavier Cabrini—Pray for us.
St. Rose Philippine Duchesne—Pray for us.

(May God bless our parish, may God bless our city, and may God bless the United States of America.)

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Photo: Statue and relic of St. Mother Theodore Guerin, also known as St. Theodora