Prayers and Vigils

  • Guided Holy Hour for an End to the Death Penalty

    The culture of life we seek is built on a foundation of prayer. The “Holy Hour of Mercy” resource guides you through an Hour of praying for life and an end to the death penalty. It includes: The St. Michael Prayer The Divine Mercy Chaplet A Litany for Life This guided Holy Hour for Mercy…

  • Praying with Victims of Violence

    A Prayer for Those Affected by Violence and Harm of Any Kind Loving and merciful God, We hold in prayer each of us who have experienced harm, in any form. We especially pray for victims of violence and their families, that they may experience love and support, and find comfort in your compassion. Grant us…

  • Estampa de oración “Dios misericordioso” para abolir la pena de muerte (Spanish)

    Dios misericordioso, Tú donas a cada ser humano una dignidad imprescindible que no puede ser eliminada por lo que éste  haya echo o sufrido. Enraizados en el valor sagrado de la vida, trabajamos juntos para transformar el sistema judicial abrogando la pena de muerte. Reafirmamos nuestro compromiso de ¨trabajar con determinación para la abolición de la…

  • “God of Mercy” Prayer Card

    This prayer serves to remind us of the unconditional opportunity for redemption that, as God’s children, we all share. Pray it alone or with others in community, asking God to “sustain our pursuit of reconciling justice, that we may model Christ’s compassion and mercy with our lives.” God of Mercy, You bestow upon every person a dignity that…

  • “Choosing Mercy” Vigil: Praying Together to End the Death Penalty

    Inspired by the need for mercy in our society, this prayer vigil includes reflections on scripture and intersections for all those in need of healing. Centered around the call to end the death penalty, this vigil can serve as a thoughtful prayer tool in those times leading up to and in the aftermath of an…

  • Praying with Mary to Overcome the Sin of Racism

    In November 2018, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) released a pastoral letter against racism, Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love. This prayer closes the letter. As in all things, we turn to prayer, asking Our Blessed Mother to intercede on our behalf: Mary, friend and mother to all, through…

  • Collection of Short Prayers in the Face of Executions

    Prayer for Life By Bishop Daniel Flores God Eternal Father, You are the Living God. Life is who you are, Life is what you love, Life is what you breathe. Creation was made to house life; life is what you give. Human life is your most beloved, And what You most affirmed when you sent…

  • Litany for Those Who Aren’t Ready for Healing

    This litany was written by Rev. Dr. Yolanda Pierce, Professor and Dean of the Vanderbilt Divinity School in Nashville, TN, in the wake of the killing of Michael Brown. On August 9, 2014, 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot and killed by a police officer in Ferguson, MO. Let us not rush to the language of…

  • A Prayer for Fraternal Love from Pope Francis’ Encyclical “Fratelli Tutti”

    An Ecumenical Christian Prayer from Pope Francis’ 2020 Encyclical Fratelli Tutti, on Fraternity and Social Friendship O God, Trinity of love, from the profound communion of your divine life, pour out upon us a torrent of fraternal love. Grant us the love reflected in the actions of Jesus, in his family of Nazareth, and in…

  • Prayer for God’s Justice, Mercy, and Compassion

    Sr. Addie Lorraine Walker, SSND, wrote and shared the following prayer in honor of the Virtual Prayer Vigil held for Christopher Vialva on Thursday, Sept. 28th, 2020. Mr. Vialva was executed hours later by the federal government. As you say this prayer, whether in solitude or with others, we invite you to remember all persons impacted…

  • [Recording] Good Friday Prayer Vigil for an End to the Death Penalty

    On the First Friday of every month, CMN holds a Virtual Prayer Vigil to lament upcoming executions and bear witness to the sanctity of all human life. These monthly gatherings feature the diverse voices of Catholic bishops, Church leaders, death penalty abolitionists, and people impacted by crime, violence, or incarceration. Each vigil includes time for…

  • CMN’s Stations of the Cross

    The 14 Stations of the Cross invite us to walk with Jesus through his Passion. Often prayed during the season of Lent, each station depicts a moment on Christ’s journey to Calvary. With CMN’s Stations of the Cross, you are invited to pray this traditional practice while reflecting on the parallels between our modern criminal…