In the Letter to the Colossians, St. Paul tells us, “Persevere in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” (Col. 4:2). During this time of turmoil and difficulty in the Church,
it can be easy to be weighed down with all the difficulties connected with the scandal. Adding all this to the demands of our daily lives, and it can seem overwhelming. Yet, as I noted above, Scripture encourages us to devote ourselves to prayer. Our first response should always be prayer. It is important as well, that we stand with those who have been harmed over the years and that we do what we can and should do to care for the victims and their families. It is also appropriate that we pray for our clergy and religious at this time and that there be more vocations to the priesthood and to religious life - that good and holy men and women respond to God’s call to serve His people.
I know that some parishes have begun a series of prayers in response to the scandal and indignation we are all experiencing in what is being revealed. Dear Pastors, in response to our Holy Father’s call for prayer and penance, I am inviting and asking you, and all your parishioners to join me and the entire Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon
of Los Angeles, for three days of praying the Rosary every day, fasting every day,
and offering the Mystery of Penance for your parishioners. I also ask that you hold one hour of adoration in front the Blessed Sacrament. You should begin on Tuesday, September 11, ending on September the 13th, the vigil of the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
It is becoming ever more clear that the Church is gripped by a personal force of evil.
In speaking of evil, the Lord said, "[this kind of evil] can only be driven out by prayer and fasting." (Mark 9:29). Let us offer our prayers and sacrifices for the wounded Body of Christ – the Church.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
+A. Elias Zaidan
Bishop of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles
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