Prayer Vigil Before Election 2024

10-20-2024Letter from the PastorFr. Don Kline, V.F.

Dear Brother and Sisters,

For election seasons to be filled with uncertainty is one thing… but this election season has been rampant with polarizing issues that have divided our nation and our families. People are on opposite sides of issues and these opinions are often accompanied by strong emotions. During your time of discerning which candidates and issues you support, it is best to start it in prayer. We ask you to join us on November 1st at 7:30pm in the church for Holy Mass and a 12- Hour Prayer Vigil.

Our shared commitment to fervent prayer is timed to take place in the final preparations to Election Day and through what will likely be a tumultuous election week of counting votes, honoring results, and a peaceful process for the continuation or transition of power based on those results. Please consider coming for one of the hours of prayer during the night as we ask God to use this election as a means of healing our country and supporting the infinite dignity of life.

Let us pray that Our Lord would move every human heart of this nation to remove barriers that divide us, that walls of separation and suspicions may disappear, and all hatred and prejudice, which blocks us from the light of God’s love, would cease. We know that this election season in our history has not brought out the best in so many of us. Let us ask Our Lord to forgive us when we have been less than truthful with one another and forgive us when we have been less than loving toward our neighbors.

Let us ask the Divine Physician to heal our divisions, so that we may seek true peace and reconciliation that is tied to a greater commitment to justice and truth. Let us pray together against every evil spirit and force that would seek to intimidate and suppress voters or instigate violence against any citizen seeking to exercise their precious and sacred right to vote.

Let us ask that Our Lord’s protection will cover every poll worker, every election official, and every voter. Let us pray that our elected leaders will promote love, and not fear, to act out of mercy, and not malice, to work for justice, rather than partiality and privilege. May we each be given the courage to truly walk alongside and show care and solidarity to our neighbors through our vote in this season.

Consecration of the Election to the Blessed Virgin Mary
By Rev. Chad Ripperger

Mary Immaculate, living tabernacle of the Divinity, where the eternal Wisdom lies hidden to be adored and served by angels and men, Queen of Heaven and of Earth, beneath whose sway are subject all things that are lower than God, Patroness of the United States of America, sorrowful and mindful of our own sinfulness and the sins of our nation, we come to you, our refuge and hope. Knowing that our country cannot be saved by our own works and mindful of how much our nation has departed from the ways of thy Son, we humbly ask that you would turn your eyes upon our country to bring about its conversion. Give grace to the citizens of this land so that they will choose leaders according to the Sacred Heart of your Son, that His glory may be made manifest, lest we be given the leaders we deserve.

Trusting in the providential care of God the Father and your maternal care, we have perfect confidence that you will take care of us and will not leave us forsaken. O Mary Immaculate, pray for us. Amen.

God Bless,

Fr. Don Kline