We give you thanks for your Son, Jesus Christ, whose final prayer for His disciples was, " that they may be one as we are one."
We praise you for the gift of Pope Francis, or Holy Father, who has been given the historic opportunity to proclaim Your love and truth to the heart of our democracy.
We ask that his witness stir in our elected leaders and citizens across our country a renewal of unity in serving the common good of the entire human family. Let this day bring new possibilities
...For the protection of our religious freedom;
...For the respect of all life from conception until natural death;
...For the strengthening of our families, the foundation upon which our whole nation rests;
...For feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and welcoming the migrant;
...For forging racial harmony and seeking peace and solidarity in our communities and throught the world.
...For protecting the gift of creation, our common home.
May we always proclaim our faith in the public square and be a sign of Your love to all the world.
We ask for all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, Light to all nations. Amen.
By the Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr, Archbishop of Cincinnati