Church Leader Prompts Congregation to Empathize with Suffering of Mistreatment Victims, Embark on Journey of Unity
Pope Leads Prayer Vigil for Consolation and Hope
In a poignant display of solidarity, Pope Francis led a prayer vigil on September 15, 2023, within the hallowed walls of St. Peter's Basilica. The prayer vigil was part of the Jubilee of Consolation, a special occasion scheduled for 2025 that is dedicated to those experiencing difficulty, grief, suffering, or hardship.
During his homily, the Pope emphasized the importance of communion and hope in the church, especially when pain is deep. He highlighted the collective anguish of peoples crushed by violence, hunger, and war, and appealed to leaders of nations to listen to the cries of innocent children.
Two women, Lucia Di Mauro and Diane Foley, shared their personal experiences during the prayer vigil. Lucia Di Mauro, whose husband was murdered, forgave and supported the young man who was an accomplice in the crime. Diane Foley, the mother of James Wright Foley, an independent American journalist who was kidnapped and killed by ISIS in Syria in 2012, established the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation to advocate for the safe return of Americans taken hostage and educate student journalists about safety practices in dangerous areas.
The prayer vigil was a powerful testament to the healing power of faith and forgiveness. Pope Leo XIV, who led the prayer vigil, stated that pain should not lead to violence, and forgiveness is a foretaste of the kingdom of God on earth. He emphasized the theme of safeguarding the vulnerable with tenderness.
Among the prayer intentions read aloud were pleas for those who are persecuted for their faith, victims of violence and terrorism, children who are abused and neglected, victims of human trafficking, abandoned individuals, those suffering from addiction, and mourning individuals.
During the prayer service, people were given a gift of the 'Agnus Dei,' a wax medallion depicting the Paschal lamb and Rome's Marian icon, 'Salus Populi Romani.' The medallions were blessed by Pope Leo XIV.
The Jubilee of Consolation, set for 2025, aims to provide comfort and consolation to those in need, seeking to overcome evil and give it no respite. The prayer vigil served as a powerful reminder of the church's commitment to supporting those in pain and offering hope in the darkest of times.
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