As the world continues to be engulfed in violence, some of which remains invisible to us and some of which has become very visible in recent days, namely, the situation in Ukraine, I have been directing my prayer and meditations in the direction of the people of Ukraine and their families. It is at times like these that we are called, I believe, to hold compassion in our hearts for those who are needlessly being exposed to violence. I share with you a daily prayer (modified from a Franciscan prayer) and ask you to continue to testify to the world by your actions that living lives of compassion, mercy and love are, in fact, the way we ought to live our lives.

In peace and friendship (amidst a brutal reality),

Miguel Martinez-Saenz
President
St. Francis College

Almighty and merciful God, all that You have created is good and Your compassion for the mistakes of human beings across the world knows no limits. I come to You today to ask You to keep in peace the world and its people, to keep far away from it the devastating wave of war and violence, to restore friendship and instill in the hearts of Your creatures the gift of trust, of love, of compassion and of readiness to forgive.

I pray to You for the ones who have been wounded or killed in these acts of inhuman violence and for their families and friends: children and young people, old people and innocent people accidentally involved in atrocities of all kinds. Heal their bodies and hearts, console them with Your strength and, at the same time, take away any hatred and a desire for revenge.

Merciful God, visit the families of the victims of war, families that suffer through no fault of their own. Wrap them in the mantle of Your divine mercy. Make them find again in You and in themselves the strength and courage to continue to be brothers and sisters for others, giving witness to Your love through their lives.