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I invite everyone to join in a 54 Day Rosary Novena beginning on August 27, the Memorial of St Monica and ending on October 19, the Memorial of Martyrs, St John de Brebeuf & companions. Pray that the hearts of all Synod delegates will be drawn closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Whatever our concerns for the Bride of Christ and the upcoming Synod let us constantly be reminded that our greatest power is prayer. I was inspired to encourage this 54 Day Rosary Novena so that all of us could pray fervently for all involved in the Synod on Synodality being held in Rome during October of this year. Starting the Novena on the Memorial of Saint Monica, the mother of Saint Augustine reminds us of the power of prayer in a beautiful way. Saint Monica prayed fervently and faithfully for the conversion of her son Augustine and her prayer was so effective he not only converted but became a saint.
I definitely need to be reminded to pray for all who are involved in the Synod and for all of us who are part of the Mystical Body of Christ which is the Church. Rather than becoming angry and lashing out at those who seem to be pushing an effort to change the beautiful truths of our faith, let us pray for them to instead embrace that truth more and more deeply.
Ending the Novena on October 19, the Memorial of the Martyrs, Saint John de Brebeuf and Companions, is a reminder of the sacrifices that so many have made through the ages in order for the Deposit of Faith to be passed on to us. Let us pray that the blood of the martyrs may become the seeds of deeper faith for all the delegates at the Synod.
Joseph Strickland
Bishop Joseph E. Strickland was named the fourth bishop of Tyler in September of 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI. Prior to being named bishop, he served a number of roles in the diocese, including vicar general, judicial vicar, and pastor of the Cathedral parish. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1985. 