National Day of Prayer for God’s mercy

DOMINICA

As Dominica is currently experiencing a surge in Covid-19 cases, with a reported 1,998 total cases and 5 deaths as of September 7, a National Day of Prayer was used to implore God’s grace and mercy over the people of Dominica, especially frontline workers.

The day was celebrated 6 a.m. Sunday, August 22 with a prayer and worship series. It featured religious leaders from various denominations. Dean of Our Lady of Fairhaven Cathedral, Fr Nigel Karam represented the Catholic Church in the prayerful celebration from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

According to a report from Our Catholic Community, a publication of the Diocese of Roseau, after reading a passage from the Book of Judges 6:11–24, Fr Karam highlighted a few points from the scripture. He said that “many of us, just like Gideon, question why we are experiencing such turmoil. We ask ‘Why us? Why do we have to experience this crisis? Why is all this happening to us?’” Fr Karam assured “we must come to realise that God is calling on us just as He called on Gideon to save Israel from the Midianites.”

He asserted that God “has empowered us and provided us with all the necessary resources to deal with the pandemic and come out of it stronger….It does not matter your position in society, each and every person has the capacity to help, and has a role to play.” He said, “God has empowered us. God’s work is not magic, but His work is grace and fortitude. And He calls us valiant warriors … Those who listen to the Lord are the true warriors.”

Bishop Gabriel Malzaire of Roseau joined Fr Karam to end the National Day of Prayer with a prayer to Mary.