Pray with us in reference to DACA arguments

Pray with us on Tuesday, Nov. 12, as the United States Supreme Court will begin hearing oral arguments on the legality of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Come together in solidarity by praying the Rosary below on behalf of all those who qualify for DACA. Pray the Rosary with a prayer group or whenever you can find the time on Tuesday.

If you are in the Washington, D.C., area on Tuesday, Nov. 12, join Justice for Immigrants (JFI) and other Catholic and interfaith supporters of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops and JFI will lead the group on a Rosary walk that will end at the Supreme Court. The event will begin at 9 a.m., at Columbus Circle.

The Supreme Court will hear the arguments on the legality of the program and it is possible the Court will issue an opinion in Spring 2020.

If you use social media, share messages using the hashtag #DACAHOPE.

JFI: Praying with DACA Recipients

November 12, 2019

Welcome: 

We want to thank you for joining the Catholic Community for a day of prayer and action with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients.

We pray today that for those who will plead for justice before the Supreme Court. May our God of compassion and truth give them courage and wisdom. May the justice of their arguments touch the minds and hearts of the Court. 

We pray, too, for the nine justices of the highest court in our land. May our God of justice and truth give them ears to hear plainly, eyes to see clearly, and hearts to judge fairly. May the Holy Spirit guide their deliberations.

And we pray for ourselves, residents of this great land, as we recall how often DACA and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients, immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and their families fail to find welcome, fail to find acceptance, and fail to find solidarity in our communities, and we ask God’s forgiveness.

Rosary Leader:

We gather today to pray that ancient Catholic prayer, the rosary. We gather as a believing community here in the site of our elected leaders and the justices of the Supreme Court. We pray for them, knowing that God can open minds and transform hearts. And we commend those in the DACA community, and all our immigrant sisters and brothers, into the loving hands of our Blessed Mother, Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe. As we pray this morning, through the intercession of the Virgen de Guadalupe, I invite each of us to pray the prayers of this rosary in whatever language you choose. And so we begin, as is our custom . . .  

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Apostles Creed:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Our Father:

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary (3x):

Hail Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death Amen.

Glory Be
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Today we pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the rosary remembering the passion of Jesus and sharing the suffering of DACA recipients, their families and all immigrants denied welcome in this land.

Rosary Leader:

The first sorrowful mystery, the agony in the garden (Mark 14:34-42)

If a Non-DACA Leader: Part of Christ’s suffering was that he endured it alone. The Apostles slumbered while his persecutors approached. Are we asleep as well? Do we recognize the injustice of current immigration policy? Do we stand with of DACA recipients and their families?  We pray for the grace of solidarity with those who are denied welcome in our country.

If a DACA Recipient Leader: Part of Christ’s suffering was that he endured it alone. The Apostles slumbered while his persecutors approached. Are we asleep as well? Like Jesus, I, too, have felt alone on this painful journey. Do you recognize the injustice of our immigration policy?  Will you stand with me and my fellow immigrants? We pray for the grace of solidarity with those who are denied welcome in our country.

Rosary Leader: Our Father; Hail Mary (10x); Glory Be

Rosary Leader:

The second sorrowful mystery, the scourging at the pillar (John 19:1)

Non-Dreamer Leader: Pilate used torture to try to force a confession from Jesus. Today, DACA recipients who, with their parents, fled to the United States to escape violence and torture are often deported or imprisoned for failing to possess proper documents. We pray for forgiveness for our silence and we beg for the courage to speak out for justice.

If a DACA Recipient Leader: Pilate used torture to try to force a confession from Jesus. Today, those like me who, with their parents, fled to the United States to escape violence and torture are often deported or imprisoned for failing to possess proper documents. We pray for forgiveness for the times we have failed to speak out loudly and clearly for justice for all immigrants.

Rosary Leader: Our Father; Hail Mary (10x); Glory Be

Rosary Leader: 

The third sorrowful mystery, the crowning with thorns (Matthew 27:27-30)

If a Non-DACA Leader: Jesus’ captors were not content with torture; they humiliated him, crowned him with thorns, and mocked him. Racism, prejudice, cruel stereotypes, and verbal abuse are the thorns that pierce many migrants as they seek work, housing, and education for their children. We pray for compassion and for the grace to heal the wounds that divide us.

If a DACA Recipient Leader:  Jesus’ captors were not content with torture; they humiliated him, crowned him with thorns, and mocked him. Racism, prejudice, cruel stereotypes, and verbal abuse are the thorns that pierce many us as we seek work, housing, and education for ourselves and our families. We pray for compassion and for the grace to heal the wounds that divide us.

Rosary Leader:  Our Father; Hail Mary (10x); Glory Be

Rosary Leader:

The fourth sorrowful mystery the carrying of the cross (Luke 23:26)

Non-DACA Reader: The burden of the Cross was so great that without the help of Simon of Cyrene, Jesus would have been crushed by its weight. Often, DACA recipients bear crushing guilt because they survived when their parents or relatives were deported or died horribly in our deserts or our jails. Who can endure this alone? We pray for the grace to be present to their suffering and help them carry their burden.

If a DACA Recipient Leader: The burden of the Cross was so great that without the help of Simon of Cyrene, Jesus would have been crushed by its weight. Often, we DACA recipients bear crushing guilt because we survived when our parents or relatives were deported or died horribly in our deserts or our jails. Who can endure this alone? Pray with us for the grace to bear this burden and the courage to continue to fight for our families and communities

Rosary Leader: Our Father; Hail Mary (10x); Glory Be

Rosary Leader:

The fifth sorrowful mystery, the crucifixion (Mark 15:37)

If a Non-DACA Leader: And with a loud cry, he breathed his last and gave up his life. Do DACA recipients cry when their status expires and their dreams of education, safety and work die? Or when a legislator tells them that the only home they know, is not their home? Or when their citizen children are told they don’t belong? We pray for the grace to understand that no human being is illegal, that every life is sacred, and that each person must be welcomed with reverence.

If a DACA Recipient Leader: And with a loud cry, he breathed his last and gave up his life. We, DACA recipients also cried when DACA, our guarantee of safety, was ended. We cry when our dreams of education, housing, and work die, or when our parents or citizen children are told they don’t belong. We pray for the grace to understand that no human being is illegal, that every life is sacred, and that each person must be welcomed with reverence.

Rosary Leader: Our Father; Hail Mary (10x); Glory Be

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Rosary Leader: Closing Prayer

Let us pray, (PAUSE)

Our Lady of Guadalupe,

Hear the prayers of your children.

As you promised San Juan Diego.

Ease our suffering and fill us with your unfailing love.

Bring solace to those across the world forced from their homes

Fleeing poverty, violence, and strife.

Protect them in their trials,

Strengthen them as they build new lives,

Fill our aching world with your grace and compassion.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of All,

You see beauty and holiness in each of us.

Open the hearts of those who cannot yet see

The dignity of your children seeking refuge.

Unite us as we welcome the stranger in God’s name,

Grant us the courage to break down walls that divide us,

And guide us as we continue to

advocate for justice and peace. AMEN. 

Adapted from a prayer developed by Mary Ellen Lacy, DC