Prayers for America

Novenas for the country and the candidates

Prayers+for+America

Today the Carmel community will pray for the 2016 election and its candidates at the end of the school day.

Carmel Catholic Ministry has just wrapped up a nine-day novena dedicated to Mary of the Immaculate Conception, the patroness of the United States of America. These prayer services also supported the 2016 election and its candidates.

A group service was held everyday after school in the Brandsma Chapel which included a minute of silent contemplative prayer, a novena prayer, an Our Father, three Hail Marys and a Glory Be.  Over the weekend, the novena was also posted online for prayers to be said at home.

The practice of novena prayer goes back to the earliest Catholic Church. The nine days between Jesus’ Ascension and Pentecost represent the nine days of a novena prayer. This traditional, yet powerful form of prayer can be prayed to a saint, Mother Mary, or God.

Today during this afternoon’s final prayer during the announcements, the Carmel community will hear a released election day prayer from United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“A great group of students, faculty and staff participated in this prayer,” Campus Minister Kambra French said. “We are proud in knowing that the Carmel community was praying for the election.”