News & Events
Sisters of St. Joseph Join in National Day of Mourning and Lament
As members of LCWR, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston partner with other faith leaders calling for all people to spend time during the weekend of May 29-31 to lament and mourn the 100,000 persons who will have died in the United States from COVID-19, and to pause at noon on June 1 to honor the deceased.
Suggested ways to participate include:
- Mark the grim milestone on Sunday (Pentecost) in your own celebration of the Eucharist or common prayer and encourage others to do the same.
- On Monday, June 1, at noon local time, all are encouraged to join a civic or other community and pause once more to remember those who have died. It will be appropriate for flags to be lowered and to observe moments of silence, prayer, reflection, and bell-ringing. This June 1 call to remember is being supported by the U.S. Conference of Mayors who represent over 1,400 mayors across the country.
- Use your social media and other communication platforms to post and share prayers and laments, names, photos, and tributes to those who have died of the coronavirus during the days leading up to June 1. #DayofMourning, #Lament100k
Our lament will also honor the hard truths we have learned during this pandemic: our suffering has been unequal. Elders, black and brown neighbors, native communities, refugees and immigrants have borne disproportionately the brunt of sickness and death. Our prayers for the healing of the nation must acknowledge the brokenness of our democracy and call us to repair the injustices this pandemic has revealed.
During this time of grief and lament we pray that we may move forward more united as a country to address the very real challenges we face ahead. And we know that we can only do that together.
Thank you for considering participating in this act of solidarity. May the Spirit renew us and our world this Pentecost.
Attached is a prayer that you might find appropriate for the Day of Mourning and Lament.
Know that all our sisters, associates, agrégées and partners in mission hold you in prayer during these uncharted times.