Deacon Ebrahim Lallo, a Syriac Catholic Deacon from the town of Bartella, Iraq, painted the icon "Mary, Mother of Persecuted Christians," which will be in the shrine in Clinton, Massachusetts. / Photo credit: Father Benedict KielyBoston, Mass., Oct 20, 2022 / 12:00 pm (CNA).More people need to pray for the millions of Christians who are being persecuted because of their faith.That s the idea behind the new Shrine of Mary, Mother of Persecuted Christians opening in Clinton, Massachusetts, on Friday.The shrine, which will be the third of its kind in the world, is the brainchild of Father Benedict Kiely, who in 2016 founded Nasarean.org, a nonprofit organization and ministry that advocates for persecuted Christians with a focus on the Middle East.The installation at St. John the Guardian of Our Lady Parish in the Diocese of Worcester will be followed by the world premiere of the "Mass for Persecuted Christians," a sung Mass setting written by Catholic composer Paul Jer
Last Friday, I went to MCI Concord to visit the inmates and celebrate confirmations. Deacon Tom Anthony, who has ministered in the prison system for many years, is doing a fantastic job as chaplain there. The inmates I spoke to were all very enthused about the ministry that is taking place at MCI Concord, and I was also very gratified to see they are making use of the materials that the Order of Malta is supplying for prison ministry.
"The flying of [BLM and Pride] flags in front of a Catholic school sends a mixed, confusing and scandalous message to the public about the Church’s stance on these important moral and social issues."