In a united response to Pope Francis' urgent appeal, Aid to the Church in Need and The Pontifical Mission Societies are organizing a Novena to the Immaculate Conception, dedicated to praying for Nicaragua. This initiative aims to gather Catholics throughout the country in prayer, echoing the Holy Father's concern for the Nicaraguan people and the challenges they face.
"I have been following with deep concern what is happening in Nicaragua, where Bishops and priests have been deprived of their freedom,” Pope Francis said on January 1st, Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God. “I express to them, to their families and to the entire Church in the country my closeness in prayer. I also invite all the People of God to pray insistently. Let us pray for Nicaragua today."
The Novena, starting on Sunday, January 14, invites the faithful to join in a powerful prayer movement for peace and solidarity.
Ines San Martin, VP of Communications of The Pontifical Mission Societies, expressed the importance of this spiritual undertaking: "In heeding Pope Francis' call, we are not just praying for Nicaragua; we are standing in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in their time of need. This Novena is an opportunity for us to unite in faith and action, embodying the compassion and love that is at the heart of our mission as Catholics."
“The most important thing we do in response to the sufferings of bishops, priests and faithful in Nicaragua is to pray,” said Father Roger J. Landry, ecclesiastical assistant to Aid to the Church in Need USA. “Like Jesus’ first disciples in the Upper Room, we huddle around Our Lady praying that God will strengthen our Nicaraguan brothers and sisters and hear their prayers and ours for an end to the persecution. We do this conscious of how many times our Lady, with her powerful prayers and tears, has come to the aid of her suffering sons and daughters.”
Participants are encouraged to follow the daily prayers and reflections shared through the organizations' social media platforms or registering to receive daily emails. This spiritual journey is more than a series of prayers; it is a call to action for all who participate, to remain informed and compassionate about the struggles facing the Nicaraguan community.
The Pontifical Mission Societies and Aid to the Church in Need invite everyone to be part of this significant spiritual event. Together, in prayer, we can make a difference in the lives of those who suffer and reaffirm our commitment to the Gospel's message of peace and brotherhood.