Download pdf: English
Download Intercessions for Unity and Peace: English/Spanish/Vietnamese
January 7, 2021
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On Wednesday, January 6, 2021 we witnessed a violent breach of the U.S. Capitol and an assault on peaceful democracy in our country. This day was the traditional Feast of the Epiphany, when we recall and celebrate the appearance of the star in the dark of night, leading the Magi to the Christ Child. Twenty-one centuries after the birth of Jesus, the struggle between light and darkness is still in play. People of any and all political persuasions can be pulled into the anger, bitterness, unreasonableness, and violence of the powers of darkness. What we witnessed at our nation’s capital this week was certainly a dark moment in the history of our great country.
As a people of faith, as children of the Light of Christ, we are called to follow the light of peace, of justice, of legitimate law and order. I invite you to join me in a Day of Prayer for our country tomorrow, Friday, January 8, from the safety of our respective homes. You might check with your parish to see if a specific time of prayer will be designated. Otherwise, I invite all of us to spend the day, or part of it, in prayer and offering personal sacrifice for peace and civility in our country.
May we follow the example of the Magi, who followed the light that lead them to Christ, the Prince of Peace. May we be agents of light in our country and communities as we pray.
Yours in Christ,
Most Rev. Oscar Cantu
Bishop of San Jose