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A PRAYER FOR AMERICA

On Tuesday, November 3rd, millions of Americans like Pope Leo XIV will cast ballots to elect 35 senators, 435 representatives, and countless state and local officers. We will also vote on various referendum questions that will affect the life of every person in our community.

Although I have been asked many times over the years about how we as Catholics should vote in elections, I agree with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) that it is not the role of pastors to endorse a particular party or candidate.

Overall, it seems decidedly clear that neither major political party holds positions that are fully reconciled with the Catholic Church’s teachings on racism, health care, climate change, social justice, war and peace, the respect of human life, the plight of immigrants and refugees, or the preferential option for the poor.

This is understandable because politics is a human endeavor and human beings are imperfect. So, our best course of action should be to practice good discernment, examine our conscience, exercise our right to vote, and pray together for our country:

A PRAYER FOR AMERICA
BY BROTHER PATRICK

All Good and Gracious God,
you are the Creator of Heaven and Earth,
whose loving gives life
to all that is good, true, and beautiful.

We ask for the grace
to search our hearts,
examine our consciences,
and consider the common good
as we cast our votes.

We beg for the compassion
to remember the poor and the sick,
the addict and the elderly,
the lonely and the left behind
as we mark our ballots.

We pray for the courage
to see our neighbors and fellow citizens
as brothers and sisters:
no matter who they are,
no matter where they are from,
no matter what they believe.

We plead for the good sense
to care for our common home,
love, respect, and pray for each other,
and stand with those who strive
to share your love and mercy,
and to build up the beloved community.

And when the votes are counted,
we pray for the goodwill to accept the results,
work together the solve problems,
and commit ourselves
to humble labor in your vineyard. Amen.

As this campaign season comes to a close, let us remember that every one of us is part of a community of disciples united in prayer, fellowship, and service to God and each other. Let us remember that whatever happens on Tuesday, we are called to be people of peace and goodwill.

As disciples, we are called to civility and humility. We are called to mercy and mutual respect. We are called to love God and our neighbors without counting the cost. And we are called to live and give witness to the Good News of Christ with our whole lives.

Art Credit: Shutterstock – 2607270571

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THE ASSISI PROJECT
A FELLOWSHIP OF FRANCISCANS IN SPIRIT
INTERCESSORY PRAYER MINISTRY

Members of the Assisi Project, ranging in age from 18 to 102, pray each and every day for all who ask for our prayers. If you would like our fellowship to pray for you or your special intention, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com. In communion with Pope Leo XIV and in solidarity with people of faith and goodwill everywhere, we also pray for peace, truth, and justice. In addition, we pray for all migrants and refugees; for the courage to speak truth to power; and for the poor, the persecuted, and the unjustly imprisoned. Please join us in prayer by clicking the link below! Thank you for your prayers! May God bless you! May the Risen Lord give you peace!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brother Patrick Garvey is co-founder and spiritual director of the Assisi Project. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine, Saint John Seminary, and the Catholic University of America. He is a writer, spiritual director, retreat leader, and university lecturer. He also serves as an Associate Minister in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport in Massachusetts. On October 3, 2023, the Feast of the Transitus of Saint Francis of Assisi, Brother Patrick was consecrated as a diocesan hermit by Bishop Mark O’Connell, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Boston with the blessing of Cardinal Sean O’Malley. For more information about the Assisi Project and our ministries with adults of all ages and backgrounds, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com.

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ABOUT US

Founded in 2007, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit with friends and followers throughout the world. We are dedicated to helping Christian believers of all ages more faithfully live the Gospel of Christ in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. We are also dedicated to promoting a devotion to Pope Francis (1936-2025) as a patron of peace, mercy, and fraternity in our sick and suffering world. For more information about the Assisi Project, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com. May the Lord give you peace!

The Assisi Project is a non-profit, tax exempt charitable organization. Please support our ministry via Pay Pal (see link below) or mail a tax-deductible donation to the Assisi Project, Post Office Box 3158, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01931-3158. The Assisi Project Podcast is produced by the Assisi Project, Inc. Copyright 2026. All rights reserved.

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