Bishop Solis joins call for day of prayer and fasting against racism

Friday, Sep. 04, 2020

Our diocese will heed the call of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for a day of prayer and fasting on Sept. 9, the feast of St. Peter Claver. 

The call came Aug. 27, following the protests against the shooting of Jacob Blake, an African-American man who was shot seven times in the back by the police in Kenosha, Wisc., on Aug. 23. 

Sadly, during another protest on Aug. 25, two protesters were shot and killed, and another injured. In connection with that shooting, a 17-year-old teenager was charged with homicide.

In light of these events, I invite all our faithful to join in solidarity with the U.S. bishops and other Catholics to observe Sept. 9 as a day of prayer and fasting in all our parish communities. This is a critical time to pray more, to invoke the mercy and compassion of God to help us stop the senseless violence and the loss of precious lives, and to seek justice and peace through prayer and acts of sacrifice.

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of Houma-Thibodaux, chairman of the USCCB’s Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, urges “Catholics to consider attending the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and offer our participation in reparation for sins of racism to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.” He also invites the faithful to consider praying the rosary, the USCCB’s Prayer Service for Racial Healing, and for the intercession of the saints who have fought for racial equality, such as St. Katharine Drexel and St. Peter Claver.

The bishops also had asked Catholics to observe as a day of prayer and fasting Aug. 28, the 57th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington, where Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have A Dream” speech.

Our world and society has been suffering tremendously due to the devastating effect of the coronavirus pandemic. Let us work hand in hand to alleviate the pain and hardships we all endure. Let our faith in God and conviction in the sanctity of life, the dignity of every person and the wellbeing of everyone inspire and encourage us to do everything we can through the help of the Lord that healing, reconciliation and peace reign in our hearts.  

“A Prayer Service for Racial Healing in Our Land” may be found on the USCCB website, https://www.usccb.org/resources/prayer-service-racial-healing-our-land.