Annual Day of Prayer in Atonement

By Marty Denzer

In early 2016, Bishop James Johnston, acutely aware of the devastating effects of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church on those harmed by it, announced his commitment to set aside an annual day of prayer in atonement for that harm, beginning in 2017. The announcement was made during the Service of Lament held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

Since 2017, the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph has set aside April 26 for devotion to prayer in atonement for those harmed by sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. The April date was chosen because April is Child Abuse Prevention month. April 26,

2023, marks the seventh annual Day of Prayer in the diocese.

During that inaugural Service of Lament, the HOPE box was introduced. The handcrafted wooden box was donated to the Office of Child Protection as a reminder for us to remain hopeful for healing and wholeness, for peace and justice for those who are journeying towards healing from their abuse, for those who care for them and for our community. This locked box contains personal petitions that have been added over the past seven years. These petitions remain private and held in reverence in this HOPE box. The petitions in this box serve to remind all in the diocese to remain hopeful, but to never forget the pain, sorrow and devastation that sexual abuse caused for so many in this Catholic community.

Several years ago, it was decided to alternate the site of the Annual Day of Prayer in Atonement between the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City and the Cathedral of St. Joseph in St. Joseph. The upcoming Day of Prayer will be held at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, 519 N. 10th St., St. Joseph. The Mass will be at noon, with Bishop Johnston presiding.

There will also be the weekday Mass said at 12:15 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 416 W. 12th St., Kansas City.

The Day of Prayer in Atonement will also include several diocesan schools. For those who are unable to attend the Mass and service at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, there are many ways of participating in private. The diocese recommends lighting a candle in your parish church, pray the Rosary, spend time in Adoration or simply pray for the healing and wholeness of those harmed by sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once, they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:18-20

Conception Seminary College forms seminarians in the philosophical tradition of the Roman Catholic Church. Through academic, spiritual, pastoral, and human formation, we accompany men as they listen for God’s Voice, discern their priestly vocation, and become missionary disciples. Following the model of Jesus Christ, formation and conversion of heart are nurtured in the intimacy of community and deepened by the discipline of prayer in the Benedictine tradition.

The public policy agency of the Catholic Church in Missouri.

What happened in Je erson City during the first weeks of the 2023 legislative session? Find out by listening to the Missouri Catholic Conference’s latest legislative roundtable episode of MCC from the Capitol.

Scan to listen mocatholic.org