A prayer for the Annunciation Catholic Church and School family
Benedictine joins the nation in praying for the victims of the Annunciation Catholic Church and School violence that occurred Aug. 27. In light of this heart-rending tragedy, the focus on Peace for this year becomes all the more urgent. As St. Teresa of Calcutta said, “We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” We offer the following prayer.
Compassionate God,
Pour out Your healing love on the victims of violence at the Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis.
Enfold the children who have died in Your loving embrace, and surround their families with Your compassion and comfort.
Bring healing to the children and adults who were injured, and peace and comfort to all who were traumatized by the shootings.
Strengthen their families and teachers as they help the children to heal.
Bless and protect the medical professionals and first responders who also suffer from the trauma of this violence.
Help the community and the Church to find ways to keep children safe.
Help the city and all of us to turn away from violence, and lead us into Your ways of peace.
We ask this in the name of Your Son, our Lord, Amen.