This March, the Diocese of Buffalo began a special Year of Prayer for the Healing Victims of Clergy Sexual Abuse and for the Church. This effort is coordinated by the Presbyteral Council and Vicars Forane of the Diocese.

                On Ash Wednesday, March 6th, the Season of Lent began for the year of 2019 leading up to Easter and the Resurrection of Our Lord. Since Lent is a time of prayer, mercy, forgiveness, and renewal it is appropriate that the year of prayer for healing would begin then. At the Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral Bishop Malone lit a purple candle to remind all to pray for victims of clergy sexual abuse and for the healing of the Church. This candle will burn throughout the Year of Prayer and Healing before the statue of St. Joseph, the patron of the Diocese of Buffalo.

                Also, during the year of Prayer and Healing, each vicariate throughout the diocese will host a special time of prayer. The vicars and pastors of all parishes have been asked to light a similar candle in their churches.

                Our purple candle has been re-placed on the altar of the Sacred Heart to remind us to pray for all who have been harmed by the actions of some of our priests. Please pray for all in need of healing:

O Merciful Father,
Your Son in love stretched out his hands upon the cross to embrace us.
Embrace and heal our brothers and sisters
Who carry the wounds of abuse inflicted upon them. Heal Your Church broken by this betrayal of trust. Cleanse and sanctify Your Clergy
That they may radiate the selfless love of your Son. And strengthen and call the people of the church throughout Western New York to a new dawn of hope and grace in your Holy Spirit.
We ask this through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.