# Prayer for the Government on Presidents’ Day
*2017-02-19*

> Bill Young reflects on the historic Prayer for the Nation by Bishop John Carroll and leads a special prayer for our government, followed by a brief Rosary of the Holy Spirit.

## Why We Pray for Our Leaders

Today is Presidents’ Day, and it is also the feast of the Children of Fatima. Both occasions remind us that we are called to lift up our nation to Mary and the Holy Trinity. No matter which president occupies the White House—whether it is Donald Trump, Barack Obama, or any other—our duty as Catholics is to pray for him, the vice‑president, the cabinet, and all public officials. Their decisions affect the whole people, so we ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom, justice, and charity in their governance.

## The Historic Prayer for the Nation

In 1791 Bishop John Carroll, the first bishop and archbishop in the United States, composed a “Prayer for the Nation.” He urged American Catholics to recite it regularly with their parishes so that God might bless the country and the Church. Bill reads the prayer, invoking the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and asking for:
• Protection of the Church and its bishops, especially Pope Francis and the local bishop, Thomas V. Szewczyk.
• Guidance for the President, legislators, judges, and all civil authorities, that they may act with righteousness, mercy, and respect for virtue.
• Peace, prosperity, industry, and liberty for the nation.
• The salvation of all citizens and the repose of the faithful departed.
The prayer ends with a traditional doxology: “May we receive the peace of everlasting light through our Lord Jesus Christ, our God and Savior. Amen.”

## The Rosary of the Holy Spirit

Bill then introduces a special devotion called the Rosary of the Holy Spirit. Unlike the ordinary rosary, each “Our Father” bead is replaced with a prayer to the Holy Spirit:
“Holy Spirit, my soul, I adore you. Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, comfort me, teach me what I must do. Give me your commands; I promise to submit to your will.”
Each “Hail Mary” bead repeats a petition: “Come, Holy Spirit, divine power of love, purify my poor heart, sanctify it, and make it wholly yours.”
He recites several rounds of this prayer, concluding each set with a brief “Our Father” prayer and the Apostles’ Creed, affirming the faith before continuing the devotion.

## Joining the Patriotic Rosary

Bill invites listeners to join a “Patriotic Rosary” being offered at St. David’s parish in Dayton at 7 p.m. He encourages everyone to check with their local churches for similar celebrations and to listen to the recorded rosary he will repost online.

*Regardless of political differences, Catholics are called to pray continually for our leaders and for the nation, trusting the Holy Spirit to guide them toward the common good.*