Indigenous Peoples and the Church: Walking Together Toward Healing & Reconciliation
We invite you to pray for the delegation that will travel to Rome from March 26 – April 2, 2022 to meet with Pope Francis.
Following ongoing dialogue with the Assembly of First Nations, the Métis National Council, the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and other Indigenous leaders, a group of residential school survivors, Elders, knowledge keepers and young people will share their experiences directly with the Holy Father. The delegation, organized by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, represents a significant moment in the ongoing journey of healing and reconciliation while also serving as an important foundation for the future visit of the Holy Father to Canada, announced in late October 2021.
To access coverage of the visit throughout the week, visit Salt & Light Catholic Media Foundation at: www.slmedia.org. For more information on the delegation and related activity, please visit: www.cccb.ca.
Sample Prayer of the Faithful (March 26-April 1) As Indigenous delegates from across the country gather in Rome this week to meet with Pope Francis, we pray that these encounters will serve as fruitful, prayerful and productive moments in the ongoing journey to healing and reconciliation. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
Sample Prayer of the Faithful (Weekend of April 2/3, 2022) We give thanks for the delegation of Indigenous Elders, knowledge keepers, residential school survivors and bishops who met with Pope Francis this past week. May the healing and reconciliation journey be strengthened by the dialogue and prayerful exchange with the Holy Father. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
On Monday, March 28, Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle is asking:
"In the Catholic church, light has always had a special significance because it represents Christ. The light signifies our prayer, which is offered in faith, entering the light of God. In Indigenous spirituality, the Sacred Fire starts a ceremony or sacred event; it is a sacred practice meant to make individuals feel open, grounded, and connected with people on Earth and those who have moved on.
On March 28, 2022, as the encounter begins, in solidarity with the Indigenous Fire Keepers keeping the Sacred Fire in your region and across this land, we invite all of you to light a fire or a candle and to pray. It is suggested each Diocese ensure commitment to continuous prayer across each region’s prayer time."
For the Diocese of London this will be from 11 am – 1 pm
Prayer from the Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle O Blessed Virgin, Our Lady of Guadalupe
Intercede for us with your Son
That we who live in this land,
Indigenous and non-Indigenous together may experience healing and reconciliation, on a renewed journey for justice and peace for our children.
Mother of the Church, pray for us.