Novena for the Persecuted Church & Religious Freedom | ‏| 2016 Day 3

The Persecuted Church

June 15, 2016

In many societies today, the mere utterance, "I am a Christian," is a crime punishable by death. So widespread is such persecution that Pope Francis called it a "third world war, waged piecemeal... a form of genocide."

Day 3 - The Novena for the Persecuted Church

O great cloud of witnesses! O host of Angels and Saints worshiping God for all eternity! O holy ones in heaven above, Pray for us!

You who were once part of the Church on earth, you who were faithful servants of the Church Militant, you who suffered for the love of God, Pray for us!

In all ages, the Church is persecuted and hated. We pray, oh Lord, through your holy Saints, that we may be blessed with the freedom to worship and adore you at all times! We pray that you may bless your Church throughout the world and me, personally, with your grace to persevere with love in the face of persecution just as You did on the Cross.

(Mention your personal intentions here)

St. Edith Stein – Pray for us!
St. Maximilian Kolbe – Pray for us!
St. Thomas More – Pray for us!
St. Margaret Clitherow – Pray for us!
St. Julia – Pray for us!
St. Polycarp – Pray for us!
St. Peter of Verona – Pray for us!
St. Gonsalo Garcia – Pray for us!
St. Thomas Becket – Pray for us!
St. John Fisher – Pray for us!

Amen.

Prayer For Persecuted Christians

O God of all the nations,
the One God who is and was and always will be,
in your providence you willed that your Church
be united to the suffering of your Son.
Look with mercy on your servants
who are persecuted for their faith in you.
Grant them perseverance and courage
to be worthy imitators of Christ.
Bring your wisdom upon leaders of nations
to work for peace among all peoples.
May your Spirit open conversion
for those who contradict your will,
that we may live in harmony.
Give us the grace to be united in truth and freedom,
and to always seek your will in our lives.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our Lady, Queen of Peace, pray for us.

Prayer composed by Archbishop William E. Lori.

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