United in prayer: A litany to be prayed after a school shooting
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CNA Staff, Aug 27, 2025 / 16:18 pm (CNA).
Two children were killed and multiple victims injured in a shooting during an opening school year Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis on Wednesday.
In times of tragedy, the Church turns to prayer. The Catholic Church believes that prayer can effect real change — not just in the heart of the person praying but in the world. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “Prayer and Christian life are inseparable” (CCC, 2745) and that prayer is a “vital necessity” (CCC, 2743).
The popular global prayer app Hallow has launched a prayer campaign for “healing for the injured, comfort for students, staff, and families, and the peace of Christ to be with all who were present.”
The Church also calls on the prayers of Mary and the saints to intercede for us. Below is a litany written specifically to be prayed after a school shooting.
*Litany of prayer after a school shooting*
Our Lady, Help of Christians, we turn to you, who watched your Son give his life for us, and stood strong at the foot of his cross, to ask for your consolation, your guidance, your motherly arms to embrace us. We stand in silence, praying beside you.
St. Joseph, great protector, pray for us.
Archangel Michael, defend us in every battle.
Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin, parents who lost four children, pray for us.
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, missionary to the United States, pray for us.
St. Emilia, mother of saints, pray for us.
St. Monica, mother of St. Augustine, pray for us.
Servant of God Dorothy Day, defender of all who lack protection, pray for us.
Sts. Perpetua and Felicity, mothers who left their infants to die for Christ, pray for us.
St. Junipero Serra, lover of peace, pray for us.
Blessed Lucien Botovasova, a dad, a teacher, and a martyr, pray for us.
St. Rita of Cascia, mother, patron of impossible causes, pray for us.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, who lost two children and is the first saint of the United States, and patron of educators, pray for us.
Sts. Jacinta and Francisco, sweet children, pray for us.
Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Girogio Frassati, soon to be declared saints and inspiring examples for all young people, pray for us.
Virgin Mother, we know that as a mother, you never took your eyes off of your children in Annunciation School, especially in those moments of dramatic confusion and fear; you accompanied them with your tenderness.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
May the souls of the departed rest in peace. Amen.
This litany was first published at Aleteia. It is reprinted here with permission and has been adapted by CNA.