06/05/2020
Dear Brother Knight,
Following the pain, outrage and violence resulting from the tragic death of Mr. George Floyd, I send this message in a spirit of reconciliation, asking you to join me beginning this Sunday — the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity — in praying our Novena for National Unity & An End to Racism.
We should take to heart the words of Pope Francis. No one should “tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism.” We must all “defend the sacredness of every human life.” And we must redouble our efforts to overcome the suffering and injustice which result from the sin of racism. As we celebrate the perfect unity of the Blessed Trinity, we call upon all Knights and people of goodwill to join in prayer. Let us remember that, as Pope Francis says, “nothing is gained by violence and so much is lost.”
Our prayers are inspired by our legacy as Knights of Columbus — may we carry on in the same spirit of unity that has inspired the Order to welcome Catholic men of all backgrounds, regardless of race, from our very beginning. This is especially important as we move forward as “Knights of Columbus: Knights of Unity,” which was the theme of last year’s Supreme Convention.
As the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Time is cluttered with the wreckage of broken communities which have surrendered to hatred and violence. For the salvation of our nation and the salvation of mankind, we must follow another way.”
We pray that we all can follow this other way and come to understand that injustice to a black person is injustice to all; that regardless of race or culture, all people, without exception, are made in the image and likeness of God, and are deserving of our respect and love.
Please join me in offering this prayer for national unity and an end to racism. May we pray for the strength to learn from the courageous example of Dr. King and from the leadership of our Holy Father, and continue to work to build a society that recognizes the dignity and brotherhood of all.
As men of faith, let us together confidently turn to prayer during the nine days of this novena, beginning on Sunday, June 7, and concluding on Monday, June 15.
May God, through the powerful intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of the Civilization of Love, hear our prayer.
Fraternally,
Carl A. Anderson
Supreme Knight
Novena For National Unity
& an End to Racism
Sunday, June 7 –Monday, June 15N
Heavenly Father, you so loved the world that you sent us your only begotten Son as our Redeemer. The Holy Spirit rested upon your Beloved Son as he preached the Good News, cured the sick, and gave his life to break down each sinful barrier that separates us from you and from one another. With your Son, O Father, you sent the
Holy Spirit upon your Church that she might extend your saving truth and love to every race and nation.
So it is that we praise you, O Glorious Trinity, One God in Three Persons, united in one Divine Nature yet distinct in each Person — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As you are united in one Divine Nature, we ask you to bring together in your love all whom hatred and racism have separated. Pour your love into our hearts, that we may speak the truth boldly and in a spirit of charity, and labor unceasingly for justice, peace and reconciliation in our divided nation and world. O Father, source of every blessing, O Son, Radiant Truth, O Spirit of Love, enable us to respect and love those who are different from ourselves and remove from our hearts, our homes, our Church, and our society every trace of racism.
Grant us, in your mercy, renewed and lasting resolve ‘to mend our ways, to encourage one another, to agree with one another, and to live in peace.’ (cf. 2 Cor 13:11) Grant us the wisdom to create a civilization of truth, justice and love, worthy of your Kingdom. Then we shall know that you are truly with us, O God of life, truth and
love, living and reigning forever and ever. Amen.
