Archbishop Bernard Hebda sought Mary’s intercession Aug. 22 as he joined Pope Leo XIV and the world’s Catholics in asking the Lord to grant peace and justice in the world, particularly in Ukraine and in the Holy Land.
The prayers came on the day the Church celebrated the feast of the Queenship of Mary.
“As we celebrate the Queenship of Mary, our Blessed Mother and constant intercessor in heaven, Pope Leo has called upon us all to set aside today, Aug. 22, as a special day of prayer and fasting for peace and justice, especially in Ukraine, the Holy Land, and other regions afflicted by war,” the archbishop said. “Please join me in praying to Jesus, the prince of peace, for our many sisters and brothers in Christ who are suffering, as well as for the intercession of Mary, Queen of Peace.”
In a related effort, the archbishop said he has asked parishes to join in a nationwide special appeal for humanitarian relief and pastoral support in Gaza. Many parishes will take up the collection on or near the weekend of Aug. 30 and Aug. 31, the archbishop said in a video about the collection.
“Funds from this special appeal will support the efforts of Catholic Relief Services and the Catholic Near East Welfare Association,” the archbishop said. “Thank you in advance for your generosity and your continued prayers.”
Pope Leo XIV first asked Catholics to observe the special day of prayer and fasting at the end of his general audience at the Vatican Aug. 20.
“While our world continues to be wounded by wars in the Holy Land, in Ukraine and in many other regions of the world,” the pope said, “I ask all the faithful to spend Aug. 22 in fasting and prayer, asking the Lord to grant us peace and justice and to dry the tears of those who suffer because of the armed conflicts underway.”
“May Mary, queen of peace, intercede so that people would find the path of peace,” he prayed.
OSV News contributed to this report.
