Prayer for Juneteenth

God of all peoples and nations, on this day of freedom, we celebrate with all people of goodwill that we might walk arm in arm towards justice for all.

Breathe into us your eternal breath, that we may never tire of ensuring a flourishing life for all people, but most especially, those brothers and sisters whose growth has been stifled by the trauma of being enslaved.

O God, we know and have seen your goodness, and because of it, we cling to the hope that unity and liberation for all are within our grasp.

Be with us on our journey to be who we say we are, as we cultivate peace through justice by the intentional living of interculturality, anti-racism, and inclusion.

Continue to show us your goodness, that we may have the strength to advance your kindom with humility and grace. Amen

Catholic Health Association (adapted)

About Juneteenth

• Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the U.S.
  Two and a half years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, on June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the enslaved were now free.

• The celebrations that followed the General's proclamation began a tradition that has lasted for over one hundred and fifty-five years. Juneteenth became a time for reassuring each other, for praying, and for gathering with family.

• Today Juneteenth celebrates African American freedom and achievement and respect for all cultures. Juneteenth was declared a Federal holiday in 2021 and is now recognized as a CSJP staff holiday in our two U.S. regions.