The opening prayer set the tone for this bilingual prayer service as the priest called upon God to listen to the cries of his people and bring our girls back without any more harm. We were engaged in a penitential rite, giving room for centering. With that, the speakers stood up and walked up to the podium one after the other. Some spoke out partnering with the minds of those in the pews. Others read a section from the bible and reminded all that God has journeyed with his people through all kinds of adversity over the course of human history. Some sang songs of praises and called us in unity. Then we went into the benediction for conclusion.
As our Lord was exposed on the holy altar, sweet melodious music was sung and then the names of the children kidnapped, Christians and the Moslems alike, were read. As the Blessed Sacrament was moving from one corner of the Church to the other, names of all these troubled parts of the world were called out. The presence of the Holy Spirit continued to be felt in the cloud which hovered over the people in the church. God is great, to God be the glory for once again, he has shown his people gathered that though their number may be small, He is a mighty God. May God’s name be glorified both now and forever!
David Okonkwo is the Director of the Ministry of Catholics of African Descent for the Diocese of San Bernardino.