Archbishop José H. Gomez invites all people of good will from throughout the three-county Archdiocese of Los Angeles to participate in a Novena of Prayer for Peace from July 14-22. The novena was initiated by the Knights of Columbus to encourage all to join in praying for peace in the wake of repeated acts of violence in communities throughout the nation in recent weeks.
“In these days when our country is mourning the deaths of police officers and others who have died in violence in our cities, let us ask God’s comfort for their families and loved ones,” said Archbishop Gomez. “I encourage all of you to join me in the Novena for Peace that the Knights of Columbus have begun. Together for these next nine days (July 14-22), let’s pray St. Francis of Assisi’s beautiful prayer for peace. Let us ask God for peace in our country and in our world — and may this peace begin in your heart and mine.”
The Prayer for Peace of Saint Francis of Assisi, which is presented below, will be prayed for nine days starting July 14.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
