Holy hour with the Little Sisters of the Poor

As the Supreme Court date approaches for the Little Sisters
of the Poor’s challenge to the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services contraceptive mandate, the congregation is
asking everyone to storm heaven with prayers for religious
liberty. Their hope is that the Supreme Court’s ruling on the
HHS mandate will restore their freedom to serve the elderly
poor unimpeded by regulations that violate church teaching.
The results of this case will have ramifications not only for
the Little Sisters and those they serve, but everyone who
treasures religious freedom.

To assist them in their efforts, the sisters are hosting a
Holy Hour at 3 p.m. in their Jeanne Jugan Residence, the
feast of their patron St. Joseph. This Holy Hour will include
adoration of the Blessed Sacrament along with a scriptural
rosary led by Janis Clarke, a consecrated virgin of the
Archdiocese of Washington, and Jesuit Father Peter Ryan,
director of the Office of Doctrine for the U. S. Conference
of Catholic Bishops.

“The Little Sisters of the Poor do such wonderful work
providing for those who can’t take care of themselves, the
elderly poor, who are in such need and they do that work with
great kindness and love,” said Father Ryan. “We need to be
able to live out our faith and to exercise our apostolates in
a full bodied way that really reflects our faith and that is
becoming more and more difficult because of various
regulations and requirements by the federal government. We
are fighting a spiritual battle and we need to call upon the
Lord for spiritual power.”

Accompanying Father Ryan during the Holy Hour will be Clarke,
an accomplished singer and president of Word for Life Rosary
Mission. Over the years Clarke has volunteered with the
sisters and has seen the order surround the residents with
Christ’s love.

“They really are the Lord’s mercy for our brothers and
sisters,” said Clarke. “Their ministry is a light to this
city. We need them and now they need us. I’m urging you to
join with us during this Holy Hour for the Little Sisters
that their ministry would continue unimpeded for generations
to come.”