My dear Parishioners,
Please consider participating in this invitation to the praying of the Novena for Healing from Abuse that has already started last April 22 and will continue until the 30th of April. I would like to encourage all of us to set aside time to pray this Novena during the remaining days.
NOVENA FOR HEALING FROM ABUSE – APRIL 22-30
The community of faith throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is invited to join all our Auxiliary Bishops, St. John’s Seminary and select parishes in nine days of prayer and reflection for healing from sexual abuse beginning Thursday, April 22 until Friday, April 30 leading up to the end of the national abuse prevention month this April. The digital novena, organized by the Archdiocese’s Victims Assistance Ministry, is offered in support of all sexual abuse survivors – those harmed in their families, or the church, or the community at large. Faithful are invited to join the digital novena daily at lacatholics.org/united-together and facebook.com/lacatholics.
Each day of the novena, a different parish within the Archdiocese will host a prayer service or celebrate Mass livestreamed on lacatholics.org/united-together dedicated to healing from sexual abuse, especially the victim-survivors served by the Archdiocese’s Victims Assistance Ministry, their families and friends, and all those in the Church who struggle with, and hope to heal, the wounds of sexual abuse in the Church and our communities.
The nine days of prayer and reflection will begin on Thursday, April 22 at 5 p.m. from St. John’s Seminary and continue on Friday at 6 p.m. from Christ the King parish. Auxiliary Bishop Marc Trudeau will lead Saturday’s (April 24) novena at 6 p.m. followed by St. Agnes parish on Sunday, April 25 6 p.m. Auxiliary Bishop David O'Connell will lead the novena on Monday, April 26 at 7 p.m. followed by Auxiliary Bishop Alex Aclan on April 27 at 6 p.m. Auxiliary Bishop Edward Clark will lead the faithful in prayer on Wednesday, April 28 at 6 p.m. followed by St. Mariana de Paredes parish on April 29 at 6 p.m. Auxiliary Bishop Robert Barron will close the nine days of prayer on Friday, April 30 at 6 p.m. Full novena schedule is available at https://lacatholics.org/united-together/.
Prayer intentions and intercessions during the novena include the protection of the most vulnerable in our communities, for the healing and comfort of those who have been sexually abused, and for all families strive to provide safe and nurturing environments for children and young people.
During the novena, faithful are asked to decorate and light a candle at home for the healing of those who have suffered from sexual abuse. Prayer intentions and intercessions during the novena include the protection of the most vulnerable in our communities, for the healing and comfort of those who have been sexually abused, and that all families strive to provide safe and nurturing environments for children and young people. Attached in English and Spanish is the outline for the daily novena from April 22-30, and suggested musical selections and scripture reading.
Let us pray for the intercession of St. Joseph to keep all of our children and our youth safe and protected from all forms of abuse and violence against them. St. Joseph, Patron Saint of the universal church, pray for us!
Peace,
Fr. Riz