Wonderful liturgy and prayers today in this solemnity! They have to be said joining our hands with the victims of the atomic bombs of Hiroshima and Nagasaki just 75 years ago.
FR. GERARD
Litany for Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Adapted from a prayer by Susan Mark Landis
As we gather together this morning, we remember over 200,000 men, women and children who were killed in the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
God, forgive us for wanting to forget, for wanting to ignore the gruesome details of what happened in 1945. We know much about the consequences of nuclear war; Help us to learn the consequences of peace.
Teach us to choose peace where we can. To be aware of the possibilities in each moment to foster peace and compassion. Even small tasks, like changing a diaper or a tire, preparing a meal or a field, offer us
opportunities to choose peace.
As we hope to protect our loved ones from a nuclear war, let us remember that families the world around desire the same, and that our desire for peace is a connection with all mothers, fathers, grandparents, children, aunts and uncles in our global community.
Help us to remember that the Holy Spirit will take our work for peace and expand it, multiply it, and move beyond it. When we feel powerless in our combat with nuclear powers, remind us that the power of the Spirit of God is greater than they are, and that prayer is the most powerful source of strength and hope for turning our world around.
We are told that delicate lavender and yellow flowers soon grew from the blasted, pounded earth in Hiroshima. Let us also rise from the ashes of remembrance to create beauty in your world.
Help us to live by the words of the prophet, Isaiah: “Integrity will give peace, justice will give lasting security, my people will live in a peaceful country.”
In the name of your messenger of peace, Jesus, Amen.
https://ihmsisters.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Litany-Hiroshima-Nagasaki.pdf