Prayer
Monthly Prayer Vigil to End the Death Penalty in North Carolina and Around the United States
The first Pillar in the Mission Statement for Catholics for Abolition in North Carolina is Prayer. As Catholics, we believe that prayer needs to be the basis of all that we do as an organization and as individuals. We pray continuously for an end to the death penalty, for the men and women on death row, for their victims and those affected by the crimes carried out, and for the families of those condemned to death.
A simple virtual (via Zoom) prayer vigil is held at 7:00 PM on the third Monday of each month. We hold the time to 15 minutes so after work or after dinner, you can pray along with us. It is non-interactive; participants are to remain muted and cameras can be left off as well. If you are not able to join in prayer with us virtually, please go to our Pastoral Care page for prayer suggestions. You’re encouraged to speak from your heart to our Lord, asking to be used as an instrument of His Peace, and to work for justice and the abolition of the death penalty.
Divine Mercy Chaplet Prayer Vigil on the Day of Scheduled Executions Around the United States
Here are the promises made by our Lord Jesus to St. Faustina when praying the Chaplet for the dying: The Promises of the Chaplet of Mercy – Divine Mercy
A group of faithful Catholics, concerned with the redemption of those being executed, gather via Zoom on the evening of every execution carried out in the United States. We pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, beginning at 7:00 PM Eastern, for the souls of the executed and for the souls of their victims. We call to mind that we may be the only ones praying for the soul of that person about to be put to death by the state.
You are invited to join us online for this live prayer vigil by requesting, through our Contact Form, to be added to our email list to receive the Zoom link. The prayers to the Chaplet will be attached to the email with the link to attend. If you cannot be present during these vigils, the prayers to the Divine Mercy Chaplet are found below.
1. Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
2. Optional Opening Prayers
You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty yourself out upon us.
O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the heart of Jesus as a fountain of mercy for us, I trust in you! Repeat three times
3. Our Father
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom comes; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
4. Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
5. Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
6. Eternal Father
Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of your Dearly Beloved Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
7. On the Ten Small Beads of Each Decade
For the sake of his sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
8. Repeat for the Remaining Decades
Say the “Eternal Father” on the “Our Father” bead and then ten “For the sake of his sorrowful Passion” on the following “Hail Mary” beads.
9. Holy God
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Repeat three times
Optional Closing Prayer
Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to your holy will, which is love and mercy itself.
