September 3, 2020                                                   Feast of St. Gregory the Great

Dear Priests, Deacons, Religious and lay people of the Diocese of Fresno,

     The COVID-19 virus has been difficult for everyone and we all thought that we would be back to 'normal' by now. The changes, the losses and the adjustments have been hard and continue to be so. However, the key word -  as I so often preach - is 'gratitude'. So, I want to thank you for your  courage, creativity, support and cooperation during these unprecedented times. Thank you for your cooperation with the procedures an guidelines that have become necessary in the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Our parishes, schools, businesses and homes have been adversely impacted but there are certainly glimmers of hope. Through it all we continue to do our part on behalf of the health and safety of our people and our communities.

   Brothers and sisters, I am no now asking you to please participate in a spiritual initiative to combat this virus and to prepare ourselves for upcoming moments of decision in our communities and country. I am asking you to participate with me in acts of prayer and fasting to unite the people and parishes of ur dioceses in an appeal to Heaven. This spiritual initiative is called: LET US PRAY! Let us pray for many of our people who are in fear. Let us pray for those who have died or lost a loved one. Let us pray  for an end to racism around us and within us. Let us pray with everyone asking for healing and deliverance from this pandemic, from the wildires, for all the many needs of God's people and of our country as we prepare for an election. Here is what I would propose that we do together:

1. BEGINNING on the Feast of the Exaltation of the cross, Monday, September 14th, I am asking for each parish to please set aside 40 hours of Eucharistic Adoration (outdoors or indoors or a combination of both) for all the intentions mentioned above. Please see the important accompanying guidelines and recommendations. I will personally begin this time of prayer on the day with the Angelus and Adoration live-streamed from our Cathedral. I will bring our 40 days of prayer to a conclusion on Friday, October the 23rd, with a CLOSING MASS on the Feast of San Juan Capistrano, also live-streamed from our Cathedral. 
2. During the month of September and October, you are encouraged to arrange for an outdoor gathering for public recitation of the Holy Rosary. This could take place before or after Sunday Masses, or at some other time, with the same safety guidelines in place for outdoors Masses. 
3. Special suggested petitions to include in the prayers of the faithful are provided for you to include at Masses during the next several months. 
4. I am also asking that a common prayer be offered to all public Masses (in person or online) from now until the end of these 40 days. That prayer is included in this mailing. 

Again, thank you for all you do. God bless you and those you love, always and all ways!

Yours in Jesus Christ through Mary, Mother of the Church,

Most Reverend Joseph V. Brennan, D.D.
Most Reverend Joseph V. Brennan, D.D.

Link for the BOOKLET with suggested Bible readings,
petitions, reflections and prayers
(“An Hour of Adoration in Time of Pandemic”):
https://dioceseoffresno.org/office-of-worship-and-christian-initiation/