# Praying for the world on the feast of the assumption
*2021-08-15*

> Bill Young and John O'Rourke gather for a special episode of Catholic Conscience 2.0 to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption and pray for those suffering from the earthquake in Haiti and the coronavirus pandemic.

## Intentions for a Suffering World

Today is Sunday, August 15th, the Feast of the Assumption. While we celebrate this beautiful day, we also recognize that it is a serious day for many. We are praying specifically for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti, where hundreds have died and thousands more are injured. We also lift up the sick, particularly those battling coronavirus. My own nephew's mother and her family are currently struggling with the virus, and I understand she has been hospitalized. We keep all those suffering in our prayers.

## Prayers for the Souls in Purgatory and the Divine Mercy

We begin our time together by asking the Lord, by the precious blood of the Divine Son, Jesus, shed in the garden, to deliver the souls in purgatory—especially those most destitute of spiritual aid—and bring them to His glory. 

Following this, we enter into the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. We acknowledge Jesus as the source of life and ask that His ocean of mercy be opened to the whole world. Through the blood and water that gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus, we place our total trust in Him.

## Scripture and the Apostles' Creed

As part of our devotion, we reflect on Psalm 130: 'Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications... for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him there is plentiful redemption.' 

We also reaffirm our faith through the Apostles' Creed, declaring our belief in God the Father Almighty, the incarnation and passion of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, and the resurrection of the body.

## The Chaplet and the Litany of Divine Mercy

We continue with the decades of the Chaplet, offering the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ in reparation for our sins and those of the whole world. We conclude this portion by invoking the Holy God, Holy Mighty One, and Holy Immortal One.

We also observe the second day of the Divine Mercy devotion, where Jesus asks us to bring the souls of priests and religious to His mercy, as they are the channels through which His grace flows to mankind. This is followed by the Litany of Divine Mercy, based on the revelations given to Saint Faustina, repeating the powerful response: 'I trust in You.'

## Honoring the Blessed Mother and the Holy Trinity

In honor of the Assumption, we pray that we may follow the example of Mary, who was raised body and soul into glory, and reflect her holiness in our own lives. We also offer a prayer of thanksgiving to the Most Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—thanking Them for the mysteries of our faith and the anchor of our hope, the resurrection of our Lord.

*In times of global suffering and personal trial, we find strength and hope by immersing ourselves in the Divine Mercy and the intercession of the Blessed Mother.*