Heal Our Hearts and Heal Our Land

By Fr. Steve Ryan, SDB

On Saturday, September 12, 250 people gathered for a morning of prayer and Holy Mass at the Marian Shrine in Stony Point, NY.

It was more than just a typical weekday Mass—it was an outdoor rally of prayer! Sponsored by the Salesians of Don Bosco, many in Rockland County, NY benefited from this opportunity to come together and pray for our country. The theme, Heal our Hearts and Heal our Land, can be found in the Old Testament, 2 Chronicles 7:14:

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

That is exactly what we prayed for! It was a call for an Outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon each person present and for our nation. We had a powerful moment of reconciliation and preparation in these troubling times.

The day consisted of music, the rosary, confessions, The Divine Mercy Chaplet, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and strong discussions on “waking up” as Catholics to the chaos that is going around us. We also held our 9/11 remembrance ceremony and the national remembrance of unborn babies who have been killed in this country since 1973.

Fr. Pat Angelucci was the principal celebrant and homilist for the Mass. Indeed, he did a masterful job on the homily. Fr. Joe Doran, who heard confessions for four hours that morning said, “It was exactly the type of thing that people were waiting to experience.”

The event is available on social media, and photos can be viewed here. Please go to DMACT Ministries’ website or Facebook to get a look at the day.