After the brutal altar-side slaying of Father Jacques Hamel, in France, it almost seemed like Europe and the Near East was being given a respite from terror — a small break from what had become nearly weekly attacks upon her people by terrorists. So frequent were these events that we began to feel like we were running out of words, out of prayers to address it all.
Read more: Prayer to the Great Archangels in a time of terror and grief
And now, on the one-year anniversary of explosions rocking Brussels, the modern rough beast lands again, this time in London.
And once again, we say “Let us pray…” Once again we begin a litany, asking for the prayers of all of the holy men and women, ancient martyrs of the church and new ones, to intercede for us — a world gripped in fear — and for the dead, the injured, their families and their countrymen. In a world where the violently inclined and mentally unstable are encouraged to “be Jihad in place,” we need the heavenly assist. As we watch, and we hear the chimes of Big Ben — the bells feeling like a real call to prayer, let us pray…
“Lord, the ones you love are under attack….”
Lord Jesus, please look upon your people as they once more experience the terror of random attacks on what are presumed to be peaceful city streets. You, who are the Divine Healer, please bind up the wounds to body and soul and psyche that have been dealt out today. You, who are the Eternal Word, please welcome into eternity those whose lives have been lost. You, who are All Peace, please stand between those who wish harm on others, and the innocent, and bring your consolation to those who are now in grief.
Lord have mercy…
Christ have mercy…
Lord have mercy…
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
Our Lady of England, pray for us
Our Lady of Walsingham, pray for us
Saint John the Baptist, pray for us
Saint Joseph, pray for us
Saint George, patron of England,
Saint Edmund the Martyr, patron of England, pray for us
Saint Andrew, patron of Scotland, pray for us
Saint David, patron of Wales, pray for us
Saint Patrick, patron of Ireland, pray for us
Saint Benedict and Saint Therese, patrons of Europe, pray for us
Saint Anselm of Canterbury, pray for us
Saint Thomas Becket of Canterbury, pray for us
Saint Thomas More, pray for us
Saint Edmund Campion, pray for us
Saint Margaret Clitherow, pray for us
Martyrs of Tyburn, pray for us
Saint John Fisher, pray for us
Saint Robert Southwell, pray for us
Saint Anne Line, pray for us.
Saint John Southworth, pray for us
Blessed John Henry Newman, pray for us
Julian of Norwich, pray for us
All holy men and women, pray for us…
St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
And today we celebrate...