This year’s Respect Life Month coincides with the final month of our efforts to defeat Amendment 4, and so our primary focus for the weeks ahead will be a spiritual and prayerful response.
For our spiritual and prayerful focus, I invite the faithful of the Diocese of St. Augustine to fast with me and all the priests of the diocese each Friday in October and on Election Day, Nov. 5.
This quote from Ezra is one of many in scripture that highlights the power of fasting.
“Then I proclaimed a fast, there by the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our possessions. For I was ashamed to ask the king for troops and horsemen to protect us against enemies along the way since we had said to the king, “The favoring hand of our God is over all who seek him, but his fierce anger is against all who forsake him.” So we fasted, seeking this from our God, and it was granted.” – Ezra 8:21-23
Secondly, I ask you to join in the prayer of the rosary. We have already planned a Rosary Congress with information available here: https://dosafl.com/human-life-and-dignity/rosary-congress/. The rosary has long proved to be a powerful response to the needs of our lives and our society. This effort will lead us to the Feast of Our Lady of La Leche (Oct. 11), which unites our diocese with Mary under the title that has long graced our land.
We must remember that we are resisting the evil that wishes to destroy lives. We pray to engage this enemy with God’s grace so that our hearts are filled with charity. We continue to love those who do not perceive God’s gift of life, and we seek the ongoing conversion of each beloved soul.
In Christ,
Most Rev. Erik Pohlmeier
Bishop of St. Augustine
