Day 6: Sr. Dorothy Stang Novena

Wednesday, February 12, 2020, marks the 15th anniversary of the murder of Sr. Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN, a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur and graduate of Julienne High School (1949).  To celebrate the anniversary of her martyrdom and to carry on her legacy, the Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School community will be praying a novena in her honor.  The daily text is below.  To learn more about Sr. Dorothy, click this link.

February 9

From the Gospel of Matthew we hear: “Blessed are the single-hearted: for they shall see God.”

Sr. Dorothy said: "I know they want to kill me, but I will not go away. My place is here alongside these people who are constantly humiliated by persons who consider themselves powerful."

Sr. Dorothy’s single-heartedness came from always keeping her gaze on Jesus Christ crucified. In seeing Jesus on the cross, she saw all the “crucified people” whom she loved, lived beside and worked to protect.  This gave her courage to forge ahead when meeting opposition on every side. 

Today’s suggested action:

Take time to listen to nature communicating with you. Delight in a bird’s song. Stand still and feel the wind caress your face. Look at and be bathed by the beauty of a sunset. While doing this, ask yourself: Who do I need to reach out to and walk beside this week?

Prayer:

Jesus, you too were constantly humiliated and challenged by the powerful. Yet, you always spoke the Truth. We ask for the grace to speak up on behalf of the powerless. We pray for the grace to continue to "see," understand and act on behalf of environmental justice.  Be with us, Lord, as we continue Sr. Dorothy’s work today.  Amen.

May the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary.  Amen.


[The text of this Novena is adapted from https://www.sndohio.org/sister-dorothy/dorothy-stang-novena]