Fortnight for Freedom
Suggestions for Parishes
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Distribute and encourage the use of the “Reflect. Ponder. Act.” tool with Biblical daily prompts, questions and
suggestions for action.
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For the weekends of June 23 – 24 (the Solemnity of the Nativity of John the Baptist) and of June 30 – July 1,
consider beginning the liturgy with a solemn, public procession. Parishioners could be encouraged to gather outside
the Church and the procession, led by cross and candles, could wind around the block or through the neighborhood
as a means of publicly gathering the faithful for Mass.
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On one Sunday of the Fortnight (the 24th or the 30th) consider using the following statement immediately before the
final blessing and dismissal, followed by a silent departure from mass:
We are about to pray some of the most important words of the mass: “The mass has ended; go. . .” Go
where? To do what? For whom? We come so that we might go? Why? Will it somehow show tomorrow
that we were here today? What have we received here and what are we to do with it . . . with HIM, OUT
THERE? THIS mass is ending, but what is beginning? What has God begun in you . . . in US . . . today that
will matter OUT THERE? (pause) I ask that you ponder these questions as you receive the final blessing
and are dismissed in silence. Ponder them in your heart and mind through this week and beyond and as you
slowly discover the answers, be sure to say with joy, as you will in a moment, “Thanks be to God!”
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Use the prayer from Our First, Our Most Cherished Liberty throughout the Fortnight. Pray it at the end of Mass
every day of the Fortnight; begin all parish meetings with it during the 14 days; print it in the parish bulletin. The text
follows:
Almighty God, Father of all nations, for freedom you have set us free in Christ Jesus (Gal 5:1).
We praise and bless you for the gift of religious liberty, the foundation of human rights, justice, and the common
good. Grant to our leaders the wisdom to protect and promote our liberties; by your grace may we have the
courage to defend them, for ourselves and for all those who live in this blessed land. We ask this through the
intercession of Mary Immaculate, our patroness, and in the name of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in the unity
of the Holy Spirit, with whom you live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Encourage a Novena to observe the Fortnight, using the above prayer, beginning on Monday, June 25th.
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Depending upon the situation of the parish, consider celebrating Mass outdoors, on the parish grounds, as a public
witness to the neighborhood.
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Include specific intercessions in observance of the Fortnight. Some samples to use as a basis might be:
○ For our public leaders, that they may be given the wisdom to protect and promote our liberties, we pray to
the Lord;
○ That all people may be thankful for the gift of religious liberty and justice, we pray to the Lord;
○ That we may be led to always work for and promote the common good, we pray to the Lord;
○ For all those who live in nations that do not recognize religious liberty, we pray to the Lord;
○ For all those who are involved in developing and establishing law, that justice and all human rights will be
upheld, we pray to the Lord;
○ For all who govern over us with authority, that throughout the whole world, the prosperity of peoples, the
assurance of peace, and freedom of religion be made secure, we pray to the Lord.