A Veterans Day Prayer

Current Articles | Archives | Search

A Veterans Day Prayer

Posted on November 10, 2022 in: Reflections

A Veterans Day Prayer

The Return

“The Return,” an emotional depiction of a World War I soldier kneeling before a crucifix inside the Church of the Holy Innocents on West 37th and Broadway in lower Manhattan built in 1866. Both the crucifix and the church are still in place today.

God of peace, we pray for those who have served our nation and have laid down their lives to protect and defend our freedom.
We pray for those who have fought, whose spirits and bodies are scarred by war,
whose nights are haunted by memories too painful for the light of day.
We pray for those who serve us now, especially for those in harm’s way.
Shield them from danger and bring them home.
Turn the hearts and minds of our leaders and our enemies to the work of justice and a harvest of peace.
May the peace you left us, the peace you gave us, be the peace that sustains, the peace that saves us.
Amen.

Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

Ash Wednesday at the Cathedral: “Return to Me… It Is Not Too Late.”

Posted on February 18, 2026 in: News, Reflections, Lent

239

Ash Wednesday at the Cathedral: “Return to Me… It Is Not Too Late.”

The Diocese of Norwich entered the holy season of Lent with the celebration of Ash Wednesday Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick, with the Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy as celebrant, concelebrated by Father Ted Tumicki and Father Brian Romanowski. In his homily, Bishop Reidy set the tone for Lent with words that were both direct and deeply hopeful. He began by drawing attention to the opening call of the prophet Joel—words the Church places on our lips at the start of the season: “Return to me.” Bishop Reidy reminded the faithful that those words ar...

Read More