 Pray for the Healing of AIDS during the Lenten Season
Sunday, March 5 - Thursday, April 13, 2006
What: Pray for the Healing of AIDS in African
American communities during the Lenten Season
Why: African Americans have been
disproportionately affected by HIV and AIDS since the epidemic's
beginning and the disparity has increased over time.
When/Where: Parish - with those who wish to
remain after Mass or during novenas or other devotion of the parish.
Home - with family, on Friday or Sunday evenings or ever every night or
alone in a quiet room.
Sunday, March 5th is the first Sunday of
Lent. Throughout the Lenten/Easter season we encourage African American
Catholic communities to gather and pray for the healing of HIV and AIDS
in our communities.
It doesn't matter if you are a pastor, a
catechist, a parent or a student; preach, teach, talk about the
disproportionate impact of how the HIV and AIDS pandemic is affecting
our sisters and brothers.
While making your Lenten sacrifice, commit
to reciting this simple prayer.
You can pray it alone, with your
congregation, with your family with your friends.
God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
O good and gracious God,
you are the God of health and wholeness
in the plan of Your creation,
you call us to struggle in our sickness
and to cling always to the cross of your Son.
O God, we are Your servants.
Many of us are now suffering with HIV or AIDS.
We come before You, and ask You,
if this is Your Holy will,
to take away this suffering from us,
restore us to health and lead us to know you
and Your powerful healing
love of body and spirit.
We ask You also,
to be with those of us who nurse Your sick ones.
We are the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers,
Children and friends of Your suffering people.
It is so hard for us to see those whom we love suffer.
You know what it is to suffer.
Help us to minister in loving care, support,
and patience for Your people who suffer with HIV
and AIDS.
Lead us to do whatever it will take to eradicate this illness from the
lives of those who are touched by it, both directly and indirectly.
Trusting in You and the strength of Your Spirit,
we pray these things in the Name of Jesus.
Amen.
National African American
Catholic HIV/AIDS Task Force
USCCB, Secretariat for African American Catholics
For more information visit our website:
www.usccb.org/saac
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