Opening Prayer
Almighty and merciful God,
to whom alone the secrets of the heart lie open,
who recognize the just and make righteous the guilty,
hear our prayers for your servants held in prison,
and grant that through patience and hope
they may find relief in their affliction
and soon return unhindered to their own.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
(from the collect of prayers For Various Occasions, #44, For Those in Prison ; Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, ICEL. All rights reserved.)
Scripture
Catechesis Questions
7-12 grade
Faith sharing/Parishioners
Parish Leadership/Committees
Witness Video
St. Maria Goretti was an 11-year-old girl who was attacked by a man named Alessandro Serenelli. He attempted to rape her and when she fought back, he stabbed her and left her for dead. She died from her wounds shortly after. Before she died she proclaimed her forgiveness of Alessandro ““I forgive Alessandro Serenelli … and I want him with me in heaven forever.”
Alessandro went to prison. His actions are deplorable but his conversion is nothing short of miraculous. Listen to the following homily on the Story of St. Maria Goretti and Alessandro Serenelli below:
Witness Video Questions
7-12 grade
Faith sharing/Parishioners
Parish Leadership/Committees
Take Action
7-12 grade
Faith Sharing/Parishioners
Parish Leadership/Committees
Closing prayer
Merciful Father, we ask your blessing on all we do to build a culture of life. Hear our prayers for those impacted by the death penalty.
We pray for all people, that their lives and dignity as children of a loving God may be respected and protected in all stages and circumstances.
We pray for victims of violence and their families, that they may experience our love and support and find comfort in your compassion and in the promise of eternal life.
We pray for those on death row, that their lives may be spared, that the innocent may be freed and that the guilty may come to acknowledge their faults and seek reconciliation with you.
We pray for the families of those who are facing execution, that they may be comforted by your love and compassion.
We pray for civic leaders, that they may commit themselves to respecting every human life and ending the use of the death penalty in our land.
Compassionate Father, give us wisdom and hearts filled with your love. Guide us as we work to end the use of the death penalty and to build a society that truly chooses life in all situations.
We ask this Father through your Son Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.
Amen
(“Prayer to end the use of the Death Penalty” from the USCCB website)