Prayers of Justice and Peace

Novena Prayer for a Week of Novenas for Justice and Peace

This prayer was prepared for use during a series of seven novenas to Our Lady under the titles of: Our Lady of Sorrows, Guadalupe, Most Precious Blood, Good Counsel, Perpetual Help, Queen of Peace, Victories.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, (title of Mary for the novena) help the helpless, strengthen the fearful, comfort the sorrowful, bring justice to the poor and peace to all nations; title of Mary for the novena, intercede for those who serve the poor and the Church; may we who keep this sacred commemoration experience the joy and love of the grace of your Son; may His most immaculate Heart, together with yours, pierced with sorrow for the evils of the world, be a sure refuge of hope in a time of trouble for all who are oppressed by injustice and violence.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, My spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed, the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm, He has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Prayer for a Poor Neighborhood

God of Creation, Redemption, and Reconciliation. You call us to live together in peace. Your Word speaks of reconciliation. Your Spirit brings justice. Look upon us and judge what we have done with our stewardship. Witness the burned houses, meth labs, crack houses, drug dealers, slumlords, and prostitutes. See the emptiness and false promises, the alienation and despair, injustice and oppressions, that bring these tragedies among us. Hear the gunfire that breaks the peace! How many lives are swallowed up in these tragedies! How much pain and how much sorrow do they cause! Heal this place, God of mercy and forgiveness. Send your love and grace upon all prostitutes, drug dealers, slumlords, loan sharks, bankers, lawyers, politicians. Bring them to conversion of heart and life. Cause those who are responsible to cease from their oppressions, stop their crimes, and to keep the peace in our neighborhoods. Fill the emptiness that is the source of these sorrows, with love, peace, mercy, and justice. Give us courage, so that we may show them of your love, Teach us to respect all people as human beings, not forgetting all prostitutes, drug dealers, slumlords, loan sharks, bankers, lawyers, and politicians. These blessings we ask, in the name of the One who became poverty, who will judge the deeds of all humanity, on that great day when justice reigns in every neighborhood, on every street, and among all nations. Amen.

November 28, 1999, after the 4th house burned on Oakley Street in a month, Kansas City, Missouri

Prayer for all Animal Companions

Lord God, Compassionate Wisdom, Healing Spirit, In the beginning when you brought forth life, you committed the stewardship of Creation to our first parents. In your providence we see your love, and we find the beginnings and the endings of all journeys within your glory. We recall with heart-felt gratitude the lives of the animal companions who have shared our days. In life they gave witness to your glory, In death they are memories of grace and beauty. May we find in this mystery of the rhythms of our lives, grace, wisdom, fortitude, and the peace that passes human understanding, so that we may see You more clearly, love You more dearly, and follow You more nearly. May all Creation praise, reverence, and serve your Holy Name of beauty and justice. These blessings we ask, with confidence in your eternal love, entrusting all our animal companions to the care and protection of St. Francis, through your Son Jesus Christ, Compassionate Lord, by whose wounds we are healed. Amen.

+ For Lady, a faithful friend and constant companion to Fr. Denis Dougherty, OSB, on the memorial of Sts. Zechariah and Elizabeth, 1998

+ And for Sammy, faithful friend and companion to Susan Munsinger, June 14, 1999

Prayer on the 50th Anniversay of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

God of life and creation, Word bringing peace, Spirit bearing justice. You delivered Israel from bondage in Egypt, answered the prayer of Hannah, rescued Daniel from the injustice of the king. You raise up the lowly, and cast down the mighty. Fifty years ago this day the nations of humanity in solemn assembly enacted as an everlasting memorial the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We give you thanks and praise for this witness of the dignity of the human person, sealed by the testimony of martyrs known and unknown throughout all human history, In the millennium to come, may this Declaration be a firm foundation for peace and justice. Grant to the nations a spirit of wisdom and discernment so that respect for these rights becomes the way of all people. Bless those who create and sustain a culture of life and love with endurance, hope, and abundance. May the candles we light glow bright with hospitality and hope, respect and love, peace and justice. We ask for these blessings, confident in your providence through all time, calling upon Mary our Mother and all the martyrs who were victims of injustice and oppression, through your Son, Jesus Christ, Redeemer and Savior, Amen. Amen.

Prayer for Those About to be Killed in War or Economic Chaos

Our Lady of Sorrows,

Hear our prayer for all those who will die today because of war and economic oppression, especially the children.

Prepare them for the agony, despair, and terror of the violence that is upon them. Comfort them and hold them close to the bosom of your most Immaculate Heart as they drink deeply of the bitter cup which is forced upon them. Wipe their tears, calm their fears, welcome them to peace and safety. Eternal rest grant to them, and may perpetual light shine upon them. May all rise in judgment against the wickedness that brings this violence upon the world.

Overturn the thrones of tyranny, scatter the unjust, cast down the bloody rulers who make the cry of the widow and orphan rise to heaven. Give us your grace and strength to stand against the demonic powers which prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Grant that peace with justice will come to all the world. Amen.

Prayers for St. Charles Lwanga & The Ugandan Martyrs

St. Charles Lwanga and the Martyrs of Uganda, we ask your prayers of intercession on behalf of all who suffer from the unjust exercise of authority. May you who were so cruelly persecuted for your faith in Jesus Christ intercede for all who are oppressed, that they might be comforted by the Divine Mercy and empowered by the gift and grace of fortitude. May justice be the goal of all people and may all who are called by the name Christian join together in works of redemption directed at the sins and the structures of sin that afflict our communities. Amen.

Prayer for Dorothy Day

Friend and partner of the poor, guiding spirit for the Catholic Worker, home always open to the unwanted. Early, often lonely, witness in the cause of peace and conscience, eloquent pattern of gospel simplicity, Dorothy Day, disciple of the Lord, may we continue your gift of self to the needy and your untiring work for peace. May we follow your example and dedicate our lives to the creation of that structures of beauty and goodness which characterize the kingdom of God.

Prayer for Blessed Katherine Drexel

Blessed Katherine Drexel, by the grace of Christ and for the love of God and your fellow human beings, you put your wealth to work for the poor and marginalized, bringing them education, healing, and the opportunity to participate in their own lives. May your example of conversion and cross-cultural solidarity be an evangelical witness for all people. We ask your intercession on behalf of the rich and powerful, that they will stop committing injustices against the poor and embrace the culture of life that calls us to healing and wholeness and communion with God and solidarity with our neighbor. Amen.

Prayer for Charles Foucauld

Charles Foucauld, you heard a call from God to live with those who are rejected and marginalized. We are grateful for your heroic witness and we ask your intercession now on behalf of all who are poor and all those who in evangelical witness live in solidarity with and among them as visible signs of the ministry of reconciliation which God has committed to us through Christ Jesus. May all come to understand and live the solidarity which you modeled with your life and your death. Amen.

Prayer for Archbishop Oscar Romero

Archbishop Romero, prophet of justice and peace, you stood in solidarity with the poor and oppressed even unto your own death. May we be inspired by your example to work each day against sin and the structures of sin that create injustice and oppress the poor. Pray for us that we will be strong in this journey. Amen.

Prayer for All Saints

O great and holy Servants of God, look with concern upon the poor, and fill all Christians with your zeal in service to those who are rejected, despised, and persecuted.

Prayers for Saints Louise de Marillac and Vincent de Paul

St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac, compassionate servants and saints, we ask your intercession on behalf of all who are excluded from participation in the bounty of Creation. May we learn to live simply, that others may simply live. May our efforts to ensure just distribution be blessed with discernment and productive effort. May all those who steal from the poor come to an understanding of their actions and turn from their wickedness and embrace the practice of justice. Amen.

Prayer for Matthew Talbot

Matthew Talbot, you were born into poverty, among a marginalized people, and you went right to the edge as an alcoholic. By the same grace that rescued you from alienation and despair, we ask your intercession today on behalf of all who are marginalized in this world. See how the strong prey upon the weak and the violence and despair and alienation and oppression which afflicts so many. We pray that your example of solidarity with the poor will be an inspiration for many to follow your holy example. Amen.