Praying for the Families & Loved Ones of Sandy Hook Elementary

I'm just arriving home from an extended meeting and -- like the rest of you -- am trying to digest the horrific act of violence perpetrated today at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. No words could ever restore what has been lost, so I will simply ask our readers to join me today in a moment of fervent prayer for today's precious lives lost in an act of incomprehensible violence. We pray for the children and adults who have perished, for their families and loved ones in this time of great grieving and for all of those impacted by this horrific incident.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

The closest Catholic Church in the vicinity of the school is St. Rose of Lima in the Diocese of Bridgeport. The parish will gather tonight at 7:00 pm for a special Mass. Let us all gather with our families at that time to support their community in prayer.

On the Diocese of Bridgeport website, there is the following official statement shared from the Vatican:

"The Holy Father was promptly informed of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown and he has asked me to convey his heartfelt grief and the assurance of this closeness in prayer to the victims and their families, and to all affected by the shocking event. In the aftermath of this senseless tragedy he asks God, our Father, to console all those who mourn and to sustain the entire community with the spiritual strength which triumphs over violence by the power of forgiveness, hope and reconciling love."

Cardinal Tarcisio Berton,
Secretary of State
VATICAN

We join our heartfelt prayers with those of Pope Benedict XVI for all of the families involved.

LMH