Catholic religious communities from around Australia have united in prayer for the 2021 CRA National Day of Promise and Sorrow, remembering those who have been hurt by the sin of sexual abuse.

Taking up the theme ‘With Jesus’ mother at the foot of the cross’ (based on John 19:25-27), the prayer service took place on October 24 in local community settings, working with a liturgy booklet developed by a committee of Catholic Religious Australia (CRA).

*National Day of Sorrow & Promise prayer space at Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. Photo provided by Philippa Murphy FDNSC.*

Readings from Scripture and stories from survivors were sensitively pondered, interwoven by silence, music, a ritual gesture and participant reflections. One segment included a recording of the voice of a survivor reading her own story.

Clare Nolan RSC, a sister of Charity (and prior congregational leader) described the community prayer experience as “powerful”. She also noted that, due to border closures and other circumstances, one of their sisters found herself alone on the National Day of Sorrow and Promise.

“So, she drew together half a dozen people from her parish and neighbourhood, most of whom knew nothing about this event, and they prayed the service together. They were very touched by it, and there have been little ‘ripples’ going out in the wider community as a result,” explained Clare.

CRA National Executive Director, Anne Walker, also noted the ‘ripple effect’, saying, “We have received queries from far and wide asking for the resources to be shared with other groups and individuals, and we are so pleased they are being used. Our CRA Secretariat staff also prayed the ritual together via Zoom. These actions keep the reality of abuse ‘front and centre’ so that we never let it happen again”.

A religious priest, himself a survivor, shared: “It is so good to be a part of making this [liturgy] available for our sisters and brothers and associates, and for the wider [group of] survivors and their families who share this prayer, or who are aware of our praying it from our hearts”.

CRA President, Peter Carroll FMS, agreed, saying, “This day of remembrance, lament and promise, though ‘quietly’ held, is important to creating a humble and healing church culture that is a safe and lifegiving place for all.”

The prayer resources continue to be available at the CRA safeguarding webpage.