Our
people have stood in the shadow of the mushroom cloud for 68 years. As a follow up to the efforts of the prayer
group in the New Mexico desert {see last week}, I suggest this prayer given to
me by a devout woman parishioner of a local area parish almost 25 years
ago. A guest homily I’d given at Sunday
mass calling for converting our tax dollars away from nuclear weapons and for
peaceful purpose, had been received with some consternation, and she wanted me
to be encouraged, that prayer for peace and against the bomb had been around
since at least the 1950’s. This was
probably from an old diocesan newspaper clipping.
OUR
LADY QUEEN OF PEACE
PRAYER
FOR PEACE
{DELIVERANCE
FROM THE ATOMIC BOMB}
Almighty
and Eternal Father, God of wisdom and mercy,
Whose
power exceeds all force of arms and Whose protection
is
the strong defense of all who trust in Thee,
enlighten
and direct, we beseech Thee, those who bear the heavy responsibility of
government throughout the world in these days of stress and trial.
Grant
them the strength to stand firm for what is right
and the skill to dispel the fears that foment
discord;
inspire
them to be mindful of the horrors of atomic war
for victor and vanquished alike,
to
seek conciliation in truth and patience,
to
see in every man a brother,
that
the people of all nations may, in our day,
enjoy
the blessings of a just and lasting peace.
Conscious
of our own unworthiness, we implore Thy mercy
on
a sinful world in the name of Thy Divine Son, the Prince of Peace,
and
through the intercession of His Blessed Mother and all the saints.
Queen
of All Saints, pray for us.
Queen
of the Holy Rosary, pray for us.
Queen
of Peace, pray for us.
Also
please consider study and action to end nuclear weapons, as available at the
websites below.
Friends
Committee on National Legislation
Physicians
for Social Responsibility
The
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
Federation
of American Scientists
Peace
Action
Highly
recommended is this book by Thomas Merton.
Peace in the Post-Christian Era
Written
pre-1962, but not allowed to be published until a few years ago.
Available
at---
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