# Praying for Our Enemies on the Feast of St. Kateri Tekakwitha
*2020-07-13*

> Bill reflects on personal blessings, recent attacks on Marian statues, and urges listeners to pray for political leaders and enemies, while honoring St. Kateri Tekakwitha’s feast day.

## A Personal Blessing

Good afternoon, I’m Bill Young. Today is July 14, 2020, and it’s my son’s birthday—he was born on this day in 1993, so he turns 27. After many years of difficulty conceiving, my wife and I prayed the Rosary together. Within a week her pregnancy complications resolved, and we were blessed with a healthy baby boy. Please keep him in your prayers as he navigates the challenges of young adulthood.

## Defacing Marian Statues – A Sign of the Times

Recent news reports describe the defacement of statues of Our Holy Mother Mary in Boston and New York City. Such sacrilege is a stark reminder that the battle between Christ and Satan is ongoing. As Saint Lucia once reported, the spiritual war is already underway, and the attacks on Mary signal a broader assault on the faith.

## Praying for Our Political Leaders

We see Catholic leaders like Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President‑elect Joe Biden confronted with these events. Both have publicly said statues are not important to them, yet as Catholics they are called to pray for the Holy Mother and for one another. I ask them—and all of us—to say an Act of Contrition and to pray for the conversion of hearts.

## Prayer of Contrition and Spiritual Communion

Let us pray together now.

**Act of Contrition**

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all‑good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with Thy help, to confess my sins, do penance, and amend my life. Amen.

**Act of Spiritual Communion**

My Jesus, I believe You are present in the Holy Sacrament. Though I cannot receive You sacramentally now, I receive You spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already present, and I unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

## Feast of St. Kateri Tekakwitha

Today is the feast day of St. Kateri Tekakwitha (1656 – April 17, 1680), a Native American woman who lost her family to disease at a young age. Despite primitive conditions and great personal loss, she pursued holiness through prayer, fasting, self‑discipline, and charity toward her brothers and sisters. Her life reminds us that sanctity is possible even in the most difficult circumstances.

## Closing Invitation

If you can, join the live prayer at 8 p.m. on the Diocese of Philadelphia’s website. I may be busy cooking for my son’s birthday, but I will pray in spirit with you. May God bless you all.

*In a world where holy symbols are attacked, we are called to pray for our enemies and for those in power, trusting that Christ’s victory is already assured.*