Religious Freedom Week: Embracing the Divine Gift of Freedom.

The U.S. Bishops are once again asking Catholics to pray for the protection of our religious liberty during the Religious Freedom Week from the Feast of St. Thomas More, June 22, to June 29, the Solemnity of Ss. Peter and Paul.
Pray the Prayer for Religious Freedom at home and after Mass and pray the Novena to Saint Thomas More.

“Prayer for Religious Freedom”

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, we come before you
to entrust our prayers and petitions for our Church, nation and families.
We pray for the conversion of hearts to protect religious freedom,
the sanctity of human life and the sanctity of marriage.
We beg for your mercy and forgiveness
for ways we have turned from your love,
and pray in reparation for those sins committed against life and freedom.
We pray that our hearts be united to yours
in order that all mankind may come together to worship and adore you
in unity rooted in love and mercy.
We do this through the intercession of
Our Blessed Mother, Mary Immaculate;
St. Joseph, Guardian of the Church;
St. Thomas More and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, our diocesan patrons;
St. Raymond of Peñafort; and all the angels and saints. Amen.

Novena to St. Thomas More

DAY 1
Dear St. Thomas More, in your earthly life, you were a model of prudence. You never thrust yourself rashly into any serious undertaking; instead, you tested the strength of your powers and waited on God’s will in prayer and penance, then boldly carried it out without hesitation. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for me the virtues of patience, prudence, wisdom and courage.

Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…

Novena Prayer: Glorious St. Thomas More, I beg you to take up my cause, confident that you will advocate for me before God’s Throne with the same zeal and diligence that marked your career on earth. If it be in accord with God’s will, obtain for me the favor I seek, namely _______.

V. Pray for us, O Blessed St. Thomas More.
R. That we may faithfully follow you on the hard road that leads to the narrow gate of eternal life.

The Litany of St. Thomas More may be said privately.

DAY 2
Dear St. Thomas More, in your earthly life, you were a model of diligence. You shunned procrastination, applied yourself with fervor to your studies, and spared no effort in achieving mastery in any skill. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for me the virtue of diligence and persistence in my preparations for all undertakings.

Then follows the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Glory Be, the Novena Prayer, the “Pray for us…” and, optionally, the Litany.

DAY 3
Dear St. Thomas More, in your earthly life, you were a model of industriousness. You threw yourself wholeheartedly into everything you did, and you found enjoyment even in the most serious things. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for me the grace of always having suitable employment, the grace to find interest in everything fitting, and the fortitude always to pursue excellence in whatever task God gives me to do.

Then follows the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Glory Be, the Novena Prayer, the “Pray for us…” and, optionally, the Litany.

DAY 4
Dear St. Thomas More, in your earthly life, you were a brilliant lawyer and a just and compassionate judge. You attended to the smallest details of your legal duties with the greatest care, and you were unflagging in your pursuit of justice tempered by mercy. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for me the grace to overcome every temptation to laxity, arrogance, and rash judgment in my (legal) duties.

Then follows the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Glory Be, the Novena Prayer, the “Pray for us…” and, optionally, the Litany.

DAY 5
Dear St. Thomas More, in your earthly life, you were a model of humility. You never allowed pride to lead you to take on enterprises beyond your abilities; even in the midst of earthly wealth and honor, you never forgot your total dependence on your Heavenly Father. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for me the grace of an increase in humility, and the wisdom not to overestimate my own powers.
Then follows the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Glory Be, the Novena Prayer, the “Pray for us…” and, optionally, the Litany.

DAY 6
Dear St. Thomas More, in your earthly life, you were a model husband and father. You were loving and faithful to both of your wives, and a diligent provider and example of virtue for your children. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for me the grace of a happy home, peace in my family, and the strength to persevere in chastity according to my state of life.

Then follows the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Glory Be, the Novena Prayer, the “Pray for us…” and, optionally, the Litany.

DAY 7
Dear St. Thomas More, in your earthly life, you were a model of Christian fortitude. You suffered bereavement, disgrace, poverty, imprisonment and a violent death; yet you bore all with the strength and good cheer for which you were known throughout your life. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for me the grace to bear all the crosses that God sends me with patience and joy.

Then follows the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Glory Be, the Novena Prayer, the “Pray for us…” and, optionally, the Litany.

DAY 8
Dear St. Thomas More, in your earthly life, you were a loyal child of God and a steadfast son of the Church, never taking your eyes off the crown for which you strove. Even in the face of death, you trusted in God to give you the victory, and He rewarded you with the palm of martyrdom. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for me and mine the grace of final perseverance and protection from sudden and unprovided death, so that we may one day enjoy the Beatific Vision in your glorious company.

Then follows the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Glory Be, the Novena Prayer, the “Pray for us…” and, optionally, the Litany.

DAY 9
Dear St. Thomas More, you spent your whole earthly life preparing for the life to come. Everything you endured prepared you not only for the glory God wished to bestow upon you in heaven, but for your work as the patron of lawyers, judges and statesmen, and steadfast friend to all who call upon you. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for us aid in all our necessities, both corporal and spiritual, and the grace to follow in your footsteps, until at last we are safely home with you in the mansions our Father has prepared for us in heaven.

Then follows the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Glory Be, the Novena Prayer, the “Pray for us…” and, optionally, the Litany.



 

Pray-Reflect-Act

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  June 22 - Respect for Sacred Spaces

  Pray that Christian witness in the face of attacks on our churches will convert hearts to faith in Jesus Christ, and that people of all faiths would be free to gather in sacred spaces without fear. 

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  June 23 - Seal of Confession

  Pray that governments would respect the seal of confession, as the Church in the United States continues to work to remove the scourge of clergy abuse. 

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  June 24 - Nicaragua

  Pray for our Catholic sisters and brothers who are suffering in Nicaragua. 

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  June 25 - Religious Student Groups

  Pray that religious student groups would be free to be faithful to their distinctive missions. 

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  June 26 - Religious Freedom in Nigeria

  Pray that herders and farmers in Nigeria, whose conflict over access to land and resources has fueled religious tensions, may find the means to compromise and work out their differences in a non-violent manner. 

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  June 27 - Faith at Work

  Pray that business leaders would promote a culture that welcomes faith at work. 

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  June 28 - Service to Immigrants and Refugees

  Pray that the Lord would protect all migrants and refugees, and that all those who work with people on the move would be free to serve. 

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  June 29 - Catholic Healthcare

  Pray that governments will respect the consciences of all individuals and institutions that care for the sick and vulnerable.