By Tanya Connor | The Catholic Free Press
WORCESTER – Bishop McManus asked worshippers at the St. Francis Xavier novena to add prayers for the people of Ukraine to their own intentions.
Preaching March 4, the first day of the annual Novena of Grace in honor of St. Francis Xavier at St. John Parish, the bishop said that, when the novena started 99 years ago, the United States and Europe were recovering from World War I. It was called “the war to end all wars,” but “we sadly learned that was not true,” he said. Not long after, the world was plunged into war again.
The bishop said he mentioned these historical facts because “if there is one intention we should all pray for through the powerful intercession of St. Francis Xavier, it is a rapid end to the brutal war between Russia and the Ukraine.”
St. Francis left the relative security of 16th century Rome to preach the Gospel in the Far East, introducing the people to Christ, the only savior of the world and the lord of history, the bishop said. He said St. Francis’ only weapons were the cross of Christ and the sacrament of baptism, through which human beings become brothers and sisters in Christ.
As we begin this novena in the safety of this church “our brothers and sisters in Ukraine … are heroically sacrificing their lives for freedom” and the right to live in peace in their country, Bishop McManus said.
“I realize that all of you have come to this novena with your own special intentions,” he told listeners. “But I would ask you, as your bishop … to add to your fervent prayers yet another intention: that Christ our King, true Prince of Peace, will quickly bring this horrendous war to an end” before more lives, especially those of children, are lost.
He ended with a prayer he’s praying for that intention.
“How do we pray for peace from half a world away?” asked the prayer by Cameron Bellm. “God of endless compassion, transform our prayers from words into bridges, that span the distances between us, uniting our hearts in yours. Every time we turn our keys in a lock, may we remember all who are losing their homes. … Every time we embrace our children, may we remember all who are trying to shield theirs from war. … May our cry be heard as one voice … God of endless mercy, grant us peace. Amen.”
“Amen,” responded the congregation.
Editor’s note: The St. Francis Xavier Novena runs through March 12, at Masses at 9:15 a.m., 12:15 and 6:15 p.m. weekdays; 4:15 and 7:15 p.m. Saturdays and 8 and 10:15 a.m. and 12:15 and 7:15 p.m. Sundays. There is also Benediction at 2:15 p.m. Saturdays.