Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at the second annual diocesan Way of the Cross and Candlelight Prayer Service for all victims and survivors of abuse, held Feb. 16 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.
The prayer service on the first Friday in Lent again included the Stations of the Cross, with reflections from the perspective of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with prayers for healing, justice, conversion, and outreach as part of the traditional Lenten prayer.
A time of Eucharistic adoration followed the Stations of the Cross, with those in attendance invited to bring up candles and offer prayers before the Blessed Sacrament. As well, the bishop was available to pray with anyone who came forward.
Establishing the annual diocesan day of prayer for all victims and survivors of abuse was a recommendation of the diocesan safeguarding committee and the College of Consultors.
An annual prayer service for victims and survivors of abuse was held on the first Friday in Lent, Feb. 16, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, beginning with the Way of the Cross, followed by a time of Eucharistic adoration, candle-lighting and individual prayer with Bishop Mark Hagemoen. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Anne Williams read reflections for each station, reflecting on the Passion and Death of Jesus from the perspective of his mother Mary. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Prayers were led by Julie LeBlanc for each Station of the Cross. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
“Praise to you Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, source of all consolation and hope. By Your Son’s dying and rising, He remains our light in every darkness, our strength in every weakness. Be the refuge and guardian of all who suffer from abuse and violence. Comfort them and send healing for their wounds of body, soul and spirit. Rescue them from bitterness and shame and refresh them with Your love. Heal the brokenness in all victims of abuse and revive the spirits of all who lament this sin. Help us to follow Jesus in drawing good from evil, life from death. Make us one with you in your love for justice as we deepen our respect for the dignity of every human life. Giver of Peace, make us one in celebrating Your praise both now and forever, Amen.” – Prayer by Bishop John F. Kinney, Bishop of Saint Cloud, MN ©2002, Diocese of St. Cloud, which was offered at the start of the Stations of the Cross Feb. 24 in Saskatoon.
“We are reminded of the Lenten journey into the wilderness,” said Bishop Mark Hagemoen, after a reading from the Gospel of St. Mark, “not only the wilderness of the Israelites, but all of our ‘wildernesses’ that prevent us from receiving the Light of Christ.”
“In a very special way, we hold up in prayer victims and survivors of abuse in our world,” prayed the bishop. “We pray for healing, including in our Church, for any history or situations of abuse, that God’s healing – His mercy and His strength – will bring justice and healing. And we pray that this Lenten time will be a time of reconciliation and healing, that the impossible will be possible, because of the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. Lord Jesus, we thank you for your healing and your new life which raises up all in darkness to light.”
Those in attendance brought forward candles, praying before the Blessed Sacrament. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Bishop Mark Hagemoen led the prayer service for victims and survivors of abuse. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Find the diocese’s safeguarding commitments and policies online at: Safer Church, Stronger Communities
Prayer for Healing for Victims / Survivors of Abuse concluding the prayer service:
“God of endless love, ever caring, ever strong, always present, always just: You gave Your only Son to save us by the blood of His cross. Gentle Jesus, Shepherd of Peace, join to your own suffering the pain of all who have been hurt in body, mind and spirit by those who betrayed the trust placed in them. Hear the cries of our brothers and sisters who have been gravely harmed, and the cries of those who love them. Soothe their restless hearts with ope, steady their shaken spirits with faith. Grant them justice for their cuase, enlightened by your truth. Holy Spirit, Comforter of hearts, heal Your people’s wounds and transform brokenness into wholeness. Grant us the courage and wisdom humility and grace, to act with justice. Breathe wisdom into our prayers and labours. Grant that all harmed by abuse may find peace in justice. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.” – www.USCCB.org
-30-
