Upon the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice
President Kamala Harris, I ask Catholics and people of goodwill to
pray for all elected leaders as they take on the task of carrying out
the nation’s work. We pray also for peace, civility and unity in our
nation. The smooth transition of power is a hallmark of our extraordinary
American experience and vital to the endurance of our thriving republic.
Please pray that our new President will uphold the truths
revealed and proclaimed in the Catholic Faith he professes. May
the Lord grant him the wisdom and compassion to
protect the most vulnerable, especially the unborn; respect the dignity of
all people; uphold the traditional family as the foundation of
society; defend the principle of religious freedom upon which this
nation was founded; and advocate for the rights of the poor.
May we take this moment to pray that, with God’s grace, we can
heal the discord and wounds that exist in our country, communities and even
families. May we invoke the prayer attributed to St. Francis of
Assisi in asking, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where
there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is
doubt, faith … ” We call on all elected and
public officials, regardless of party, to transcend political divides
in service to the common good.
In the days ahead, I implore Catholics and people of goodwill to
stay engaged in the public square and to be peaceful,
yet courageous, in communicating and advocating the truth
of our Faith. As always, may we remember that this is One Nation, Under
God.
© Arlington Catholic Herald 2021