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The following prayer was shared with us after the release of Ralph Martin’s letter Dear Troubled Catholics. 

By Susan Domen

Heavenly Father, we praise you! You are goodness and love, you are holy and perfect!

We come to you, Father, with heavy hearts, looking to You in Your infinite mercy, to console us in our grief, send clarity where there is confusion, repentance where there is sin, obedience where there is obstinance, truth where there is silence, and love where there is indifference.

Help us to fast and pray in reparation for our sins and for those who have led astray and compromised the faith of so many. Have mercy on us, look upon us as harassed and lost, as like sheep without a shepherd.

Father, we beg You, send Your Holy Spirit to breathe upon us, to renew; to make holy, beautiful and most pure, the Church, the bride of your beloved Son, Jesus. Holy Spirit, fall upon the most hardened hearts, as well as those of the faithful and devout. Fill them with the fire of Your love. Grant them holy boldness to speak truth in the face of corruption and intimidation. Let them not be silent, let them stand together in unity, in confidence that truth and goodness will prevail and the gates of Hell will not stand against the pressing in of the Holy Ones, the body of the Church, Christ’s Bride, to be made pure, holy, and undefiled.

Father, we come to You in our littleness, looking for comfort, looking for justice, looking for answers. We know You are most merciful, thank You for hearing our prayer. You are able to bring goodness through even the darkest of days, all in accordance with your divine will. We pray this in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, one with You, through the Holy Spirit.  Amen.