Suggested USCCB Prayer Resources

for Conscience Rights and Religious Freedom

Prayer for Religious Liberty

(text of National Prayer Cards)

O GOD OUR CREATOR, from your provident hand we have received

our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

You have called us as your people and given us

the right and the duty to worship you, the only true God,

and your Son, Jesus Christ.

Through the power and working of your Holy Spirit,

you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world,

bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel

to every corner of society.

We ask you to bless us

in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty.

Give us the strength of mind and heart

to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened;

give us courage in making our voices heard

on behalf of the rights of your Church

and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith.

Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father,

a clear and united voice to all your sons and daughters

gathered in your Church

in this decisive hour in the history of our nation,

so that, with every trial withstood

and every danger overcome—

for the sake of our children, our grandchildren,

and all who come after us—

this great land will always be “one nation, under God,

indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Copyright © 2012, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved.

Suggested USCCB Prayer Resources

for Conscience Rights and Religious Freedom

Prayer for Conscience Formation

I praise you Lord for creating me in your divine image. Thank you for giving me a free will to know you

and love you. Open my heart to your teachings and help me to form my conscience according to your

will.

Please strengthen me with the virtues of faith, hope, love, and especially prudence. Grant me your loving

guidance each day and send me the graces to always do your will, even when most difficult.

Amen.

Prayers of the Faithful

For conscience rights and religious liberty;

that all people of good will may work together against the increasing threats to these fundamental rights.

We pray to the Lord.

For our lawmakers;

that they may have the wisdom and courage to uphold conscience rights and protect all people from

being forced to violate their moral and religious convictions.

We pray to the Lord.

For those called to heal and cure the sick and suffering;

that they may be free to follow their faith, while fulfilling their professional

duties.

We pray to the Lord.

For all churches, agencies, employers, healthcare providers and individuals;

that they may be free from government mandates that would compel them to compromise their beliefs.

We pray to the Lord.

Prayer for Protection of Conscience Rights

Father, we praise you and thank you for your most precious gifts of human life and human freedom.

Touch the hearts of our lawmakers with the wisdom and courage to uphold conscience rights and

religious liberty for all. Protect all people from being forced to violate their moral and religious

convictions.

In your goodness, guard our freedom to live out our faith and to follow you in all that we do. Give us

strength to be bold and joyful witnesses.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Suggested USCCB Prayer Resources

for Conscience Rights and Religious Freedom

Prayer for Government

We pray you, O God of might, wisdom, and justice, through whom authority is rightly administered,

laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with your Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude the

President of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be

eminently useful to your people, over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and

religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality.

Let the light of your divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the

proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government, so that they may tend to the preservation of

peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge; and

may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty.

We recommend likewise, to your unbounded mercy, all our fellow citizens throughout the United States,

that we may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of your most holy law; that

we may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and after enjoying the

blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.

From his 1791 Prayer for Government, recited in parishes throughout his diocese.

Archbishop John Carroll, SJ

Prayer for Our Nation

God our Father in Heaven, you chose Mary as the fairest of your daughters; Holy Spirit, you

overshadowed Mary at the Annunciation; God the Son, you became incarnate in the womb of Mary,

your Mother. In union with Mary, we adore you, the Most Holy Trinity and acknowledge that you,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, hold eternal dominion and authority over all nations.

Most Holy Trinity, we place the United States of America into the hands of Mary Immaculate in order

that she may present our country to you. Through her we wish to praise and thank you for the great

resources of our land and for the freedom, which has been our heritage. Through the intercession of

Mary, have mercy on the Catholic Church in the United States. Grant us peace. Have mercy on our

president and on all the officers of our government. Grant us a fruitful economy born of justice and

charity. Raise up and protect all of our families. Through the intercession of our Mother, have mercy on

the sick, the poor, the tempted, sinners—on all who are in need. Above all, we ask Mary to intercede on

our behalf that you would protect our conscience rights and religious freedom, upon which our country

was founded.

Mary, Immaculate Virgin, Our Mother, Patroness of our land, we honor you and give ourselves to you.

Wrap your mantel of protection around each of us and all our fellow citizens. Protect us from all evil and

harm. Pray for us, that acting always according to your will and the Will of your Divine Son, we may

live and die pleasing to God.

Based on a Marian consecration by Patrick Cardinal O'Boyle, Archbishop of Washington,

prayed in parishes throughout the United States in November of 1959.

Oraciones por los derechos de conciencia y la libertad religiosa

sugeridas por la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Los Estados Unidos

Oración por la libertad religiosa

(Tarjetas para oración nacional)

OH SEÑOR, CREADOR NUESTRO. De tu mano bondadosa hemos recibido

el derecho a la vida, a la libertad y a la

búsqueda de la felicidad.

Tú nos has hecho tu pueblo y nos has dado

el derecho y el deber de venerarte a ti,

único Dios verdadero, y a tu Hijo, Jesucristo.

Por el poder y la obra del Espíritu Santo,

nos llamas a vivir nuestra fe en el mundo

llevando la luz y la palabra salvadora del Evangelio

a todos los confines de la sociedad.

Te pedimos nos bendigas mientras cuidamos

del don de la libertad religiosa.

Danos fortaleza de mente y corazón para

estar siempre dispuestos a defender

nuestras libertades cuando son amenazadas.

Danos valentía para que se escuchen nuestras voces

en defensa de los derechos de tu Iglesia,

y de la libertad de conciencia de todas las personas de fe.

Te pedimos, Oh Padre celestial, que

en esta hora decisiva de la historia de nuestra nación,

y reunidos en tu Iglesia,

des a todos tus hijos e hijas una voz clara y unida

para que con cada prueba que encaremos,

y cada peligro que superemos,

—por el bien de nuestros hijos, de nuestros nietos,

y de todos los que vengan después de nosotros—

este gran país sea siempre “una nación, bajo Dios,

indivisible, con libertad y justicia para todos”.

Te lo pedimos por Jesucristo, Nuestro Señor.

Amén.

Oraciones por los derechos de conciencia y la libertad religiosa

sugeridas por la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Los Estados Unidos

Oración por la formación de conciencia

Te alabo, Dios, por crearme a tu imagen divina. Te agradezco por darme libre albedrío para conocerte y

amarte. Abre mi corazón a tus enseñanzas y ayúdame a formar mi consciencia según tu voluntad.

Fortaléceme con las virtudes de la fe, esperanza, amor y especialmente prudencia. Concédeme tus

consejos amorosos cada día y envíame la gracia de siempre hacer tu voluntad, incluso cuando resulta

muy difícil.

Amén.

Oraciónes de los fieles

Por los derechos de conciencia y la libertad religiosa;

para que todas las personas de buena voluntad actúen juntas contra las crecientes amenazas a estos

derechos fundamentales.

Roguemos al Señor.

Por nuestros legisladores;

para que tengan la sabiduría y el valor de defender los derechos de conciencia y proteger a todas las

personas de ser obligadas a violar sus convicciones morales y religiosas.

Roguemos al Señor.

Por quienes están llamados a sanar y curar a los enfermos y a los que sufren:

para que se sientan libres de seguir su fe, mientras cumplen sus obligaciones profesionales.

Roguemos al Señor.

Por todas las iglesias, agencias, empleadores, profesionales de la salud e individuos;

para que sean liberados de los mandatos del gobierno que los obligan a comprometer sus creencias.

Roguemos al Señor.

Oración por la protección de los derechos de conciencia

Padre, te alabamos y damos gracias por tus más preciados dones de la vida y la libertad humanas.

Toca el corazón de nuestros legisladores con la sabiduría y el valor de defender los derechos de

conciencia y la libertad religiosa para todos. Protege a todas las personas de ser obligadas a violar sus

convicciones morales y religiosas.

En tu bondad, protege nuestra libertad de vivir nuestra fe y de seguirte en todo lo que hacemos. Danos

fortaleza para ser testigos valientes y alegres.

Te lo pedimos por Cristo, nuestro Señor.

Amén.

Oraciones por los derechos de conciencia y la libertad religiosa

sugeridas por la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Los Estados Unidos

Oración por el gobierno

Te rogamos ¡Oh Dios de poder, sabiduría y justicia! en quien la autoridad se ejerce con razón, las leyes

se aprueban y los juicios se decretan, que ayudes con tu Santo Espíritu de consejo y fortaleza, al

Presidente de estos Estados Unidos, para que su administración pueda llevarse a cabo en justicia, y sea

eminentemente útil para tu pueblo sobre el cual él gobierna; fomentando el debido respeto a la virtud y

la religión; cumpliendo fielmente las leyes con justicia y misericordia, y refrenando el vicio y la

inmoralidad. Que la luz de Tu sabiduría divina dirija las deliberaciones del Congreso, y brille en todos

los procedimientos y las leyes que rijan nuestra convivencia y gobierno, de modo que se encaminen a la

preservación de la paz, la promoción de la felicidad nacional, el aumento de la laboriosidad, la sobriedad

y el conocimiento útil, y puedan perpetuar para nosotros la bendición de la libertad y la igualdad.

Así mismo encomendamos a Tu misericordia infinita a todos nuestros hermanos y conciudadanos en los

Estados Unidos, para que seamos bendecidos en el conocimiento y santificados en la observancia de Tu

ley santísima, para que seamos preservados en la unión, y en esa paz que el mundo no puede dar y,

después de disfrutar de las bendiciones de esta vida, podamos ser admitidos a las bendiciones eternas.

De la Oración por el Gobierno que se rezaba en toda su diócesis en 1791

Arzobispo John Carroll, SJ

Oración por nuestra nación

Nuestro Padre celestial, elegiste a María como la favorita de entre Tus Hijas; Espíritu Santo, cubriste

con tu sombra a María en la Anunciación; Dios Hijo, te encarnaste en el vientre de tu Madre. En unión

con María, te adoramos Santísima Trinidad y reconocemos que Tú, Padre, Hijo y Espíritu Santo tienes

dominio y autoridad eternos sobre todas las naciones.

Santísima Trinidad, ponemos a los Estados Unidos de América en manos de María Inmaculada a fin de

que ella pueda presentarte nuestro país. Por ella deseamos alabarte y agradecerte por los grandes

recursos de esta tierra y por nuestra libertad, que ha sido nuestro legado. Por la intercesión de María, ten

misericordia de la Iglesia Católica en los Estados Unidos. Concédanos paz.

Ten misericordia de nuestro Presidente y de todos los funcionarios de nuestro gobierno. Concédenos una

economía fructuosa nacida de la justicia y la caridad. Levanta y protege a todas las familias de la nación.

Por la intercesión de nuestra Madre, ten misericordia de los enfermos, los pobres, los que sufren

tentaciones, los pecadores – y todos los necesitados. Y sobre todo, le pedimos a María que interceda por

nosotros para que protejas nuestros derechos de conciencia y la libertad religiosa, bases sobre las que

nuestro país fue fundado. María, Virgen Inmaculada, Nuestra Madre, Patrona de nuestra tierra, te

honramos y te ofrecemos nuestro país y a nosotros. Envuelve con tu manto protectora cada uno de

nosotros y a todos los ciudadanos. Protégenos de todo mal y daño. Ruega por nosotros para que siempre

actuando según tu voluntad y la voluntad de Tu Hijo Divino, podamos vivir y morir complaciendo a

Dios.

Basada en la consagración a María escrita por el Cardenal Patrick O'Boyle,

Arzobispo de Washington,

que se rezó en las parroquias en todo Estados Unidos en noviembre de 1959.

Say Yes on 6 to Protect Taxpayers & Support Parental RightsFact Sheet

AMENDMENT 6:Prohibits use of public funds for abortion, with exceptions

Aligns Florida law and Federal law which prevents taxpayer funding of abortion

Allows for new legislation to restore parental consent

• Balances State and Federal law: Amendment 6 would limit the use of state taxpayer funds for abortion to match the limit currently in federal law (known as the Hyde Amendment). This still allows exceptions for rape, incest or physical disorder, injury or illness that would result in the death of a woman if an abortion is not performed.

• Respects taxpayers: National surveys confirm that a majority of Americans believe it is wrong for government to use public funds for abortion.

• Protects the most needy: Precious health care dollars should be allotted to those with the greatest need, such as the disabled, children, elderly and others without the benefit of health insurance to cover critical medical needs.

• Restores Parental Rights: Today in Florida, a minor child can have an abortion without the consent of a parent or guardian. Amendment 6 would enable that right to be restored by an act of the Legislature.

• Gets Government out of Family Decisions: Restoration of parental consent will enable a family to decide together such a personal decision about a medical procedure as life-changing as abortion without the interference of the government.

• Respects Parents’ Rights: Parents have a natural responsibility andright to direct their child’s total education, health decisions, and general welfare. Amendment 6 affirms and protects this responsibility in Florida’s constitution.

Amendment 6 Prohibits Public Funds to Pay for Abortion

Amendment 6 Would Allow Legislation to Restore Parental Consent

Yes On 62640-A Mitcham DriveTallahassee, FL 32308

Please support this effort by making a contribution at:

Or mail to:

Find us on Facebook:sayyeson6Follow us on Twitter:@Sayyeson6

Paid for by Citizens for Protecting

Taxpayers and Parental Rights

This proposed amendment provides that public funds may not be expend-ed for any abortion or for health-benefits coverage that includes coverage of abortion. This prohibition does not apply to an expenditure required by federal law, a case in which a woman suffers from a physical disorder, physical injury, or physical illness that would place her in danger of death unless an abortion is performed, or a case of rape or incest. This proposed amendment provides that the State Constitution may not be interpreted to create broader rights to an abortion than those contained in the United States Constitution. With respect to abortion, this proposed amendment overrules court decisions which conclude that the right of privacy under Article 1, Section 23 of the State Constitution is broader in scope than that of the United States Constitution.

Amendment 6 will be on the November 6, 2012 ballotAmendment 6 Ballot Summary:

www.SayYesOn6.com

www.sayyeson6.com

Protecting Taxpayers and Parental Rights

AMENDMENT 8:

Preserves time-honored public-private partnerships between government and social service organizations

Eliminates discrimination against churches and religious institutions who provide social services

Ensures continued delivery of crucial social services by faith-based organizations

www.sayyeson8.com

Find us on Facebook:sayyeson8

Follow us on Twitter:@sayyeson8

Paid for by Citizens for Religious Freedom & Non-Discrimination

Religious Freedom

Yes On 82640-A Mitcham DriveTallahassee, FL 32308

Please support this effort by making a contribution at:

Or mail to:

www.SayYesOn8.com

Say Yes on 8 for Religious Freedom& Non-DiscriminationFact Sheet

• Restores Equal Protection Under Law: Religious organizations and individuals have an equal and rightful place in the public square and should not have their freedom to participate there limited simply be-cause they are religious. Amendment 8 ensures religious organizations and individuals the right to provide services for the common good.

• Defends Service Providers: Current and pending court cases seek to extend the current bias against religion in Florida’s constitution against those who are organized to deliver food and financial aid, support, and training to those most in need. Amendment 8 would protect them in law.

• Ensures Fairness in Law: Florida’s constitution currently requires discrimination against religious providers of social services simply because they are religious. Amendment 8 corrects this inequity and allows them to work in public-private partnerships with state and local governments to meet community needs.

• Enhances Cost Efficiency in Service Delivery: Religiously motivated and private organizations can often provide equal or higher quality social services than government-run programs. They are sometimes the only willing providers of key state services. Amendment 8 would enable taxpayers to benefit from more efficient service delivery at a lower cost.

• Touches All Sectors of Society: Faith-based organizations benefit virtually every segment of society: religious hospitals and clinics that provide Medicare and Medicaid services; eldercare and indigent care; substance abuse programs; hospice care; housing assistance for the disabled or homeless; soup kitchens and food programs for the poor; prison outreach and disaster relief services; and certain college and K-12 scholarship programs. Amendment 8 ensures continued delivery of social and other services by faith-based organizations.

Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution providing that no individual or entity may be denied, on the basis of religious identity or belief, governmental benefits, funding or other support, except as required by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, and deleting the prohibition against using revenues from the public treasury directly or indirectly in aid of any church, sect, or religious denomination or in aid of any sectarian institution.

Amendment 8 Protects Religious Freedom

Amendment 8 Ends Religious Discrimination in Law

Amendment 8 Aids the Most Needy

Amendment 8 will be on the November 6, 2012 ballotAmendment 8 Ballot Summary:

Diocese of Palm Beach

July 25, 1968 marked the day Humanae Vitae, a letter Pope Paul VI wrote to the world, was

released. Every year we celebrate his courageous vision for life and love on this date.

In the Diocese of Palm Beach, we will be celebrating Natural Family Planning Awareness Week

July 22 – July 28.

THE NUMBERS ARE IN—NFP IS EFFECTIVE! Discover a natural way to

postpone or achieve pregnancy,

modern methods of Natural

Family Planning (NFP) have

proven to be 99% effective in

postponing pregnancy. NFP is

also used with considerable

success by couples trying to

conceive – even when they’ve

previously had difficulty

achieving pregnancy.

Natural Family Planning is

based on an awareness of a

woman’s fertility. You’ll learn

how to interpret certain signs of

a woman’s body that indicate

her fertile and infertile times.

The health benefits – physical,

emotional, relational and

spiritual – of practicing NFP are

huge. While contraceptives treat

your fertility as a disease, as

something to suppress or treat,

NFP treats your fertility as a gift

and an integral part of the

language your body speaks in

marriage and love.

Did you know side effects of

contraceptives include: increase

in risk of breast cancer by 44%

for women taking the Pill before

her first child, increase risk of

cervical and liver cancer, blood

clots, stroke, heart attack, high

blood pressure, headaches,

decreased libido and cramping?*

The Sympto-Thermal and Billings Ovulation Method are taught in classes

throughout the Diocese. They are safe, healthy, effective and very low cost ways

of planning a family. They are 99% effective in avoiding pregnancy and can help

low fertility couples achieve pregnancy. They are not the same as calendar

rhythm.

For the current class schedule please go to www.diocesepb.org and visit the Marriage and Family Life section for NFP information.

Celebrate Natural Family Planning Week

in focus

Cindy Fulmer NFP Coordinator 561-741-1651 cfulmer@diocesepb.org

“Love must be total, full, complete,

governed by God’s law and it must

carry into eternity.” St. Gianna Molla

NFP is 100% natural, it is 100%

safe and has no health risks.

Studies indicate that people who

use NFP tend to be healthier,

happier and closer to their

spouses than those who use

chemical birth control. For

more information contact Cindy

Fulmer in the Natural Family

Planning Center.

*Couple to Couple League. “Hormonal Contraceptives" (February 2011)

T he Catholic Relief Services Collection prioritizes families, values their fundamental role in society, and strives to protect them. The Collection funds six Catholic agencies that work to protect families by

providing basic humanitarian aid and life-skills training to those in need, protecting poor families all over the world, advocating for policies that strengthen families abroad, and resettling and welcoming refugees forced from their homes.

Sipho Ncube was not hit as hard as her neighbors when a food shortage came upon her village in Zimbabwe. Four years earlier Sipho, a widow and mother of three, was selected by Catholic Relief Services and the Organization for Rural Associations for Progress to receive assistance from a small livestock pilot project. The initiative helps extremely poor families lift themselves out of poverty by giving them goats, pigs, and poultry to build house-hold wealth. Project staff showed Sipho how to properly care for, house, and breed her animals, which allowed her to sell the offspring, feed her family, and survive through hardships.

Funds from the Collection also help Parishes Organized to Welcome Refugees (POWR). POWR is an initiative sponsored by the USCCB Department of Migrant and Refugee Services that works to develop long-term, sustainable programs to help resettle refugees across the United States. In the Diocese of St. Augustine in Florida, POWR helps refugees � nd work. Many of them lack employment and credit histories and, often times, job skills. The POWR program stresses the importance of good interview skills and explains U.S. hiring procedures.

The Catholic Relief Services Collection | Of� ce of National Collections3211 Fourth Street NE | Washington, DC 20017-1194 | (202) 541-3346 | www.usccb.org/nationalcollectionsCopyright © 2012, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Photo: © Linda Panetta for CRS. 704034-12

Your DonationsAlleviate suffering and provide assistance to people in need through the international Catholic humanitarian agency, Catholic Relief Services

Supply outreach and pastoral care to refugees, migrants, and travelers through the USCCB Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church

Provide assistance to victims of natural disasters and other emergencies around the world through the Holy Father’s Relief Fund

Advocate for poor and vulnerable people and for international justice and peace through the USCCB-Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development

Actively help victims of human traf� cking and refugees by providing resettlement services and public policy advocacy through the USCCB Department of Migration and Refugee Services

Provide legal services to struggling immigrants through the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC)

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Mt 25:35)

Help Jesus in disguise. Give generously to the Catholic Relief Services Collection.

The Diocese of Palm Beach invites parishioners to sign up for our new communication - Diocesan E-News.

You can receive news, calendar of events, advocacy alerts and more. E-News

provides an opportunity to learn what is happening in the Diocese of Palm Beach, in the Catholic Church and helps you to find fellowship and stewardship

opportunities. Join our communication network!

It’s easy to sign up! Here’s how:

1. Visit www.diocesepb.org and look on our homepage for the Diocesan E-News Sign Up box.

2. Or use your smart phone to scan the QR code to the right.

For more information, please call the Office of Communications at 561-775-9529.

For Counseling services, contact one of the following locations:

West Palm Beach - 561-215-9156

Delray Beach - 561-215-0208

Stuart - 772-283-0541

Samaritan Center, a transitional residence for homeless families in

Vero Beach, is looking for volunteers to serve on fundraising

committees, as well as on the Advisory Board. Samaritan Center

provides long-term transitional housing to homeless families who live

in Indian River County. Contact Samaritan Center at 772-770-3039.

Birthline/Lifeline Pregnancy Care Centers serve over 500 clients

every month in Palm Beach County. Birthline/Lifeline offers FREE

services to women, including pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, basic

counseling, referrals for prenatal care, material assistance and parenting

classes. Recently donations have been scarce, therefore, there is a great

need for the following items: Baby clothes and shoes, newborn up to

3T; maternity clothes; cribs with mattresses or Pak N Plays; blankets,

sheets and towels; strollers; car seats (need to be new); unopened

formula and baby food; high chairs; bathtubs; bottles; diapers and

wipes. The items donated are nearly new or slightly used but in

excellent condition. ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. “Contributions benefit Birthline/Lifeline a program of Catholic Charities Diocese of Palm Beach, Inc., a 501(c)3 not

for profit tax exempt organization. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL

INFORMATION OF Catholic Charities Diocese of Palm Beach, Inc., CH3109, MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE

DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL FREE 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE OF

FLORIDA. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY

THE STATE.”

Please contact 561-775-9560 or visit the Catholic Charities website at

www.diocesepb.org/charities for program information.