Divine Mercy Shrine and Army Chaplain Recruit Faithful for Short Novena for Our Country

From: National Catholic Register

by Joseph Pronechen Monday, June 23, 2014

– Marian Helpers Association, National Shrine of the Divine Mercy

This is a very critical time for our country and our world.

And prayer can do more than we can ever imagine.

That’s why the Marian Fathers at the National Shrine of Divine Mercy have launched the Pray4USA campaign.
Their goal is “to unite the country with prayer and through prayer.”

They are asking everyone to join in the Pray4USA novena that begins on Wednesday, June 25, and consists in  praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for the nine days leading up to July 4.

The intention is to specifically implore God’s mercy on our country.

The Pray4USA page features a heartfelt invitation for the faithful to join this simple novena campaign from Father Donald Van Alystyne. A Marian priest, he has spent almost 20 years as an Army chaplain.

On the site, Chaplain Van Alystyne explains, via a short video from his Army base, how important this novena campaign is.

“In the past, I can tell you I experienced your prayers and incredible support for our men and women in uniform, especially during times of deployment,” he says.

He has ministered to troops in Afghanistan twice, as well as in Bosnia-Herzegovina and at the DMZ in South Korea.

“You made a difference in their lives, in my life,” he says about his work of “bringing God to a soldier and a soldier to God.”

This novena can bring our country to God and God’s mercy to our country, so consider joining in. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy takes only 10 minutes or so to pray every day.

The Pray4USA website also gives visitors the opportunity to send prayer intentions for the July 4 Mass at the National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Massachusetts.

Before giving his blessing at the end of the video, Father Van Alystyne makes a prayer plea: “Pray from the depth of your heart for the mercy we need for our country.”

Amen!