The international charity Aid to the Church in Need is sponsoring a novena for peace in Central African Republic.
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December 18th – Second day: for the Pastors and the faithful; For the living stones of the church
“O Adonai and leader of Israel, you appeared to Moses in a burning bush and you gave him the Law on Sinai. O come and save us with your mighty power”
COME QUICKLY, LORD. COME, O SAVIOUR!
GRANT US PEACE
“Sunday Masses were celebrated in the parishes only in the morning, as holding Masses at night was impossible given the continued security threats. Attendance at the liturgies varied from church to church, but overall there was a decline. Father Iréné Fernand, vicar of the Church of Our Lady of Africa commented: “Ah, my friends, this was the first time in my life that I said Mass for just nine faithful in a parish that often attracts 3,000 faithful on Sundays. ‘There where one or two are gathered in my name, Jesus says, I am in their midst.’ Christ was with us and still is with us.” The parish served by this pastor was subject to repeated threats by the seleka to the point of exasperating him and prompting him to say: ‘Ah, those Seleka! They came to the parish of Our Lady of Africa at 11.30, the third time in two days. The result : a pick-up truck was stolen and three cars were damaged. … Thanks to the intervention of a parishioner and French troops, they were not able to take off with the other cars.’
“These men without scruples! They have no respect, not even for the sacred … All the parishes prayed for peace in the Central African Republic. One thing is certain: God will not remain silent in the face of all these prayers offered him by these men and women for the intention of the Central African Republic. ”
Letter P. Dieu-Béni Mganga, 8th December, Archidiócesis de Bangui
REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen
