Enable us to be as daring as the newly inspired apostles—to be bold in our defense of the right of all persons to feel safe wherever we are, unafraid of being forever silenced by those who are armed with weapons and anger and sometimes even hatred. Give us the courage to speak the Word. Give us the audacity to take the actions needed to end this needless violence.—Novena Against Gun Violence, composed for Nuns Against Gun Violence by Michele Bisaillon, DHS
Wear Orange for National Gun Violence Awareness Day, Friday, June 5
Each year on the first Friday of June, gun violence prevention advocates around the country wear orange to remember Hadiya Pendleton and all victims of gun violence. We encourage all our Mercy advocates to take part on Friday or throughout the weekend by participating in a local event, offering a prayer for an end to gun violence, and of course, wearing orange. Please send photos to justice@sistersofmercy.org so we can feature your advocacy in our roundup of this annual campaign.
This year we particularly encourage praying our new novena that begins on June 5 and includes prayer, education, and action suggestions for each day.
If you're attending the Mercy Gathering of the Whole, please consider wearing orange on Sunday, June 7 to make a visible sign of solidarity with victims of gun violence. Photos of this gathering will be a powerful message for the wider Mercy community and far beyond.
Background
Wear Orange began on June 2, 2015, on what would have been Hadiya Pendleton’s 18th birthday. Her friends and family came together to honor her by wearing orange, the color worn by hunters to warn others not to shoot. You can read more about Haidya’s story and the history of Wear Orange here.
Nuns Against Gun Violence has also organized resources for encouraging participation. You can use the prayer vigil templates, find a local event, and learn more on the website.
Anyone is welcome to join our monthly coalition meetings on the first Thursday of the month. We begin with 15 minutes of prayer followed by updates across our member congregations on gun violence prevention and sharing of resources.