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Knights Ask Prayers Before US Elections

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (CNS) – The Knights of Columbus is urging its members and other U.S. Catholics to pray a novena from Oct. 30 to Nov. 7, the eve of Election Day.

“The church teaches that Catholics are called to form their consciences based on church teaching and vote in accordance with that well-formed conscience,” said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson.

“Pope Francis has said in reference to the U.S. election that we should ‘study the proposals well, pray and choose with your conscience,’ and this novena is designed to help Catholic Americans do that,” Anderson said in a statement.

The Knights’ novena – nine consecutive days of prayer – asks the intercession of Mary, under her title of the Immaculate Conception. Individuals, families, councils and parishes are all invited to participate, the Knights said.

Mary Immaculate is the patroness of the United States. In 1791, Archbishop John Carroll of Baltimore, Md., the first bishop of the United States, dedicated his diocese to her. The first U.S. diocese covered the entire country.

Here is the novena text:

“Most Holy Trinity: Our Father in heaven, who chose Mary as the fairest of your daughters; Holy Spirit, who chose Mary as your spouse; God the son, who chose Mary as your mother, in union with Mary we adore your majesty and acknowledge your supreme, eternal dominion and authority.

“Most Holy Trinity, we put the United States of America into the hands of Mary Immaculate in order that she may present the country to you. Through her we wish to thank you for the great resources of this land and for the freedom which has been its heritage.

“Through the intercession of Mary, have mercy on the Catholic Church in America. Grant us peace. Have mercy on our president and on all the officers of our government. Grant us a fruitful economy, born of justice and charity. Have mercy on capital and industry and labor. Protect the family life of the nation. Guard the precious gift of many religious vocations. Through the intercession of our mother, have mercy on the sick, the tempted, sinners – on all who are in need.”

One thought on “Knights Ask Prayers Before US Elections

  1. Only Trump is a morally acceptable choice. We cannot vote for the democratic nominee as there are many reasons why, but there is one that stands out and concerns catholics. Hillary an alinskyite(Alinsky was a radical who dedicated his book to Satan ) is a professional liar who besides being pro-death, is in favor of late term abortions. No one in his/her good conscience may vote for Mrs. Clinton as it would constitute a mortal sin. I am disappointed in many of our bishops and clergy for not making this clear enough. We have two diametrically opposite candidates and it is so obvious whom we should vote for. Let’s make America pro life America not a land of oppressed and dead.