# Praying for Dallas and the Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
*2016-07-07*

> Bill Young reflects on the tragic shootings in Dallas, honors the martyrdom of St. Gregory Grassi, and leads the second day of the novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

## Responding to Tragedy with Love

Today is Thursday, July 8, and we are faced once again with shootings and death, this time in Dallas, Texas. Five police officers were assassinated and killed, and seven others were wounded. It is just another crime, another act of hate. But God is love, not hate. When will people understand that when you have love, there is no hate, and when there is hate, there is no love? You cannot have one and then have the other.

## The Witness of St. Gregory Grassi

Today is also the feast day of St. Gregory Grassi, who lived until 1900. He was a priest from Italy and a missionary to China. During the Boxer Rebellion, he and his companions were beaten, maimed, and beheaded. In total, 120 of them were martyred. St. Gregory Grassi, we pray to you over 116 years after your death. Some things haven't changed; there is still hate and confusion. Life seems meaningless to some people, but God gave us all life and free will. Some use that free will for death, which is the work of the evil one, but eventually, good will overcome evil.

## A Call to Real Prayer

We pray for those in Dallas—the five slain police officers who dedicated their lives to protect and serve us. They were simply doing their duty when they were slain. We pray for those wounded and for the family members who lost loved ones. We pray for love, for God, and for forgiveness. People want to know how we can stop this cycle of death. The answer is through prayer—real prayer. Not prayer to receive compensation, but prayer for God and love. There is only one true God, and that is love. I encourage everyone, regardless of faith—Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Catholic—to pray hard for the love of God to take away this hate and evil.

## Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel

We continue with our novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Most Holy Mary, our Mother, in your great love for us, you gave us the Holy Scapular of Mount Carmel, having heard the prayers of your chosen son, St. Simon Stock. Help us now to wear it faithfully and with devotion. May it be a sign to us of our desire to grow in holiness. My personal request today is for these needless deaths, and that those who have hate in their hearts may find the love of God and love for their neighbors. We are all one under God.

*The only way to overcome the evil of hate and violence in our world is through real prayer and the pursuit of God's love.*