As in all things, we turn to prayer, asking Our Blessed Mother to intercede on our behalf:
Mary, friend and mother to all,
through your Son, God has found a way
to unite himself to every human being,
called to be one people,
sisters and brothers to each other.
We ask for your help in calling on your Son,
seeking forgiveness for the times when
we have failed to love and respect one another.
We ask for your help in obtaining from your Son
the grace we need to overcome the evil of racism
and to build a just society.
We ask for your help in following your Son,
so that prejudice and animosity
will no longer infect our minds or hearts
but will be replaced with a love that respects
the dignity of each person.
Mother of the Church,
the Spirit of your Son Jesus
warms our hearts:
pray for us.
In November 2018, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) released its long-anticipated pastoral letter against racism, Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love. This prayer closes the letter. It is a call for Catholics and all people of goodwill to combat racial injustices with love and unity.
