Archbishop Lori's Prayer for Persecuted Christians

The Knights of Columbus are doing a great deal to come to the aid of our persecuted brothers and sisters in the Middle East, particularly through their Christians at Risk campaign.

On their Instagram account, the Knights of Columbus shared a Prayer for Persecuted Christians written by their Supreme Chaplain, His Excellency the Most Reverend William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore, which you might consider making use of during these Lenten days:

O God of all the nations,
the One God who is and was and always will be,
in your providence you you willed that your Church
be united the suffering of your Son.
 
Look with mercy on your servants
who are persecuted for their faith in you.

Grant them perseverance and courage
to be worthy imitators of Christ.
 
Bring your wisdom upon leaders of nations
to work for peace among all peoples.
 
May your Spirit open conversion
for those who contradict your will,
that we may live in harmony.
 
Give us the grace to be united in truth and freedom,
and to always seek your will in our lives.
 
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lenten alms giving: 40 Bucks for Lent

As part of your Lenten alms giving, please allow me to suggest to you a worthy and urgent charitable cause, namely the support of our brothers and sisters in Christ suffering greatly in the Middle East.

As part of their ongoing Christians At Risk campaign (#ChristiansAtRisk), the Knights of Columbus are encouraging us to give "40 Bucks For Lent." The new aspect of the Christians At Risk campaign, which has already raised more than $10 million, comes with its own Twitter hashtag: #40BucksForLent

You can make your donation either through the Christians At Risk web site, or by sending a check made payable to "Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc." with "Christian Refugee Relief" on the memo line to this address:

Knights of Columbus Charities
One Columbus Plaza
P.O. Box 1966
New Haven, CT 06509-1966

Please also remember the persecuted members of the Body of Christ daily in your prayers and offer your sufferings for them.

Wake up and take action, help Christians at risk

The Knights of Columbus ride to the aid of Christians at Risk

As the persecution of our brothers and sisters in Christ continues to increase throughout the world, the Knights of Columbus recently announced an increase in their efforts to come to the aid of the Christians in the Middle East:

Having already donated more than $3 million in humanitarian aid to persecuted Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East, the Knights of Columbus will expand its efforts even further with a national campaign to raise funds and foster awareness of the terrible suffering of Christians and others in the Middle East.

As part of these efforts, the Knights of Columbus have created the web site Christians at Risk through which donations may be funneled to persecution Christians. Checks and money orders may also be sent to this address:

Knights of Columbus Charities

P.O. Box 1966

New Haven, CT 06509-1966

Please be sure to include "Christian Refugee Relief" on the memo line.

There are, of course, many organizations who seek to assist those suffering and at risk, but the Knights of Columbus stands apart from the crowd when it comes to the work they do for others:

One hundred percent of all donations directly supports humanitarian assistance and raising awareness for persecuted Christians and other religious minorities, especially in the Middle East. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc., is recognized by the IRS as a charitable organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

The Knights of Columbus began airing a commercial last weekend to raise awareness of the Christians at risk in Iraq:

Please, support their efforts!