# Prayer to Our Lady of Tears by St. Pope John Paul II
*2014-05-30*

> Bill Young reflects on the persistence of global violence and shares a powerful prayer written by St. Pope John Paul II to Our Lady of Tears.

## The Tragedy of Violence

Today we are reflecting on a prayer called 'Prayer to Our Lady of Tears,' written by St. Pope John Paul II. This prayer addresses every type of violence, including domestic violence. Recently, I was disturbed by a news item from Pakistan regarding a woman who married outside of her faith—I believe she was a Christian—and was stoned to death outside a government building, along with her mother, father, and brother.

## A Call for Advocacy

It is amazing and disturbing that even in 2014, such barbaric acts are still occurring. What is even more troubling is the silence surrounding these events. I would expect women's rights groups and our own government—which provides significant financial aid to the government of Pakistan—to speak out against this. I pray and hope that our Church and Pope Francis, whom I totally respect and love, will also speak out against this violence. Those who are killed for remaining Christian should be considered martyrs, because that is exactly what they are.

## The Prayer to Our Lady of Tears

Sanctity of Our Lady of Tears, you arose to remind the Church of the weeping of her mother. Remind us also of the weeping of Peter, to whom Christ entrusted the keys of the kingdom of heaven. For the benefit of all the faithful, may these keys be used to bind and to loose for the redemption from all human misery. May many who are oppressed by the awareness of sin come to be welcome within these walls. May they experience here the richness of the mercy of God and forgiveness.

## Tears of Sorrow, Prayer, and Hope

Here we are guided by the tears of the Mother. They are tears of sorrow for those who reject the love of God, for separated families, for those in difficulty, and for youth who are confused by the consumption of society. They are tears for the violence which still causes much blood to be shed, and for the misunderstanding and hate that create a profound ditch between people and nations.

They are tears of prayer—the prayer of the Mother who gives strength to all humble prayers, especially for those who do not pray because they are distracted by a thousand other interests or because their hearts are obstinately closed to the call of God. They are tears of hope which melt the hardness of hearts and open them to an encounter with Christ the Redeemer, the source of light and peace for single people, families, and society as a whole.

## A Plea for Mercy

O Our Lady of Tears, look with motherly goodness upon the sorrows of the world. Dry the tears of those who suffer, those who are forgotten, those who are in despair, and the victims of every type of violence. Grant to everyone tears of repentance and a new life, so that all people may open their hearts to the life-giving gift of the love of God. Grant to everyone tears of joy having seen [unclear].

*Through the intercession of Our Lady of Tears, we pray for the victims of violence and for the softening of hardened hearts to find peace in Christ.*