.- Bishop
Samuel J. Aquila of the Diocese of Fargo, North Dakota is urging
faithful in his diocese to pray the Novena of Divine Mercy in order to
build faithful priestly vocations and bring healing to victims of the
Church’s massive sexual abuse scandal.
Bishop Aquila
asked that the Novena--a nine day prayer said for specific
intentions--begin on Good Friday so that it could end on Divine Mercy
Sunday, traditionally celebrated each year on the Sunday following
Easter.
The Divine Mercy
feast, which has heavily Polish origins, was instituted by Pope John
Paul II to increase devotion to the Mercy of Christ.
In his
announcement, issued on Palm Sunday, the bishop said that “God desires
for each of us to live with him eternally. Thus, he offered us Jesus
and, through Jesus, his Divine Mercy is made present.”
“Mercy is the
goodness, compassion, faithfulness and love of God revealed in Sacred
Scripture”, he went on, “Despite man’s constant sin and unfaithfulness,
God remains faithful and loving toward his creatures.”
Likewise, he
pointed out that “We see this mercy most especially revealed in the
parable of the prodigal son. The love of the Father waits for each one
of us to return to his complete cleansing and healing forgiveness.”
Bishop Aquila
specifically asked that members of the diocese pray “For holy vocations
to the priesthood for the Diocese of Fargo – that men will hear God’s
call and make themselves a total self gift to the Father, imitating
Jesus Christ in serving his people.”
He also asked
that they pray “For reparation for the sins of the clergy – that clergy
realize the depth of the pain sin causes and seek forgiveness from
those they offend, from the Church, and from God,” and “For victims of
sexual abuse – that they may turn with confidence to the mercy of God
to be comforted, healed and strengthened.”
Fargo Bishop urges faithful to pray Divine Mercy Novena for vocations, reparation for sexual abuse scandal
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February 12, 2012
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