# Democracy in Peril: A Call for Prayer and Reform
*2016-10-14*

> Bill Young reflects on the feast of St. Teresa of Ávila, warns of threats to American democracy, and offers a prayer to Mary, the Mother of the Redeemer, urging leaders to follow saintly examples.

## St. Teresa of Ávila – A Model for Reform

Good afternoon and welcome to Prayer at Lunch. Today is October 15, 2016, the feast day of St. Teresa of Ávila. Teresa lived in the early 16th century, before the Council of Trent, and experienced the Reformation. She sought reform within the Church, not by breaking away, and was later declared a saint and a Doctor of the Church. Her life of prayer, humility, and dedication to the poor offers a powerful example for us today.

## Current Political Turmoil

Recent WikiLeaks releases have exposed troubling emails, some touching on Catholic issues. The media’s coverage has often seemed biased, favoring one candidate over another. Concerns have been raised about the fairness of debates, the handling of the Clinton email investigation, and the lack of a special prosecutor. These dynamics, combined with partisan rhetoric, have led some to fear that our democracy is in danger.

## Learning from Saintly Witness

St. Teresa of Calcutta, another modern saint, devoted her life to the poorest and most marginalized. If political leaders, including Hillary Clinton, were to emulate her self‑sacrificial love, they might serve the common good more faithfully. True leadership, the saint reminds us, requires love for all people, not just those who agree with us.

## Prayer to the Mother of Our Redeemer

Let us now pray the “Mother of Our Redeemer,” composed by Pope John Paul II:

Mother of our Redeemer, in this time we proclaim with joy that you are blessed. God the Father chose you before the creation of the world to fulfill His salvific plan. You believed in His love and obeyed His word, welcoming Him when He became man to save all people. The Holy Spirit, your mystical spouse, filled you with singular gifts. On the threshold of this third millennium, we entrust the Church to you, Mother of all peoples and nations. Grant that everyone may encounter Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Sustain us on our journey of faith and obtain for us the grace of eternal salvation. O Clement, loving, sweet Mother of God, we pray to you. Amen.

## A Hopeful Closing

May St. Teresa of Ávila inspire us to seek reform rooted in prayer and charity, and may our nation find the courage to uphold truth and justice.

*True reform begins with prayerful love for every person, especially the most vulnerable.*