Oct. 7, 2025 Prayer Service by Sr. Ann Killian, OP, delivered at the University of Notre Dame
This evening, we gather to lament the ongoing violence in Gaza and the West Bank, recognizing that the past two years extend the long Nakba, 77 years of occupation and dispossession for the Palestinian people. Over 67,000 mothers, fathers, children, and elders have been martyred in Gaza since October 7, 2023. Unarmed civilians are being bombarded, starved, and forcibly displaced by the Israeli Defense Forces under the Netanyahu administration. And we in the U.S. repent that our government has supplied the bombs, surveillance technology, and political cover for the Israeli apartheid regime to carry out mass atrocities. We are horrified by the utter failure of humanity to stop this genocide.
In the Catholic Christian tradition, October 7 is the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. It’s a day of special devotion to Mary, a Palestinian Jewish woman. She raised her Palestinian Jewish son Jesus to announce the liberation of his people, who were at that time living under Roman colonial occupation. He was brutally executed by the imperial state. In his life and death, Jesus identified with the most abandoned and oppressed of God’s children. Surely, we find Jesus today “under the rubble” with his crucified people (Rev. Isaac Munther), who have been forsaken by world leaders and powerful nations—but not by God.
And we find Mary, mother of Jesus and mother of all humanity, standing at the foot of the cross, her heart pierced with sorrow. Mary’s profound compassion for Jesus’ pain indicts our indifference to Palestinian suffering. Mary stood steadfast at the foot of the cross and endured her son’s horrific death. Her compassionate and courageous example calls us to bear witness to the horrors being perpetrated in Gaza and to keep vigil.
The rosary is a prayer to say in times of utter desolation, when the Spirit groans within us (Romans 8: 26). The devotion reminds us to persevere in prayer and act in solidarity with the Palestinian people, joining millions around the world who are resisting the genocide. When praying the rosary, we make the same petitions over and over, asking for daily bread and protection from evil. This is what we want for the people of Gaza: bread and deliverance. Let us pray: Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be… Pray for Palestine!
Thank you, Ann , for your beautiful and thoughtful reflection. Yes, the rosary is a powerful prayer that calms, bring, hope, …. and even a good sedative for restful sleep!
What a gift you have Annie to articulate the truth in such a simple and profound manner. I always remember my mother sitting quietly in the living room reciting her rosary as well as my stepmother sitting on her rocking chair in her bedroom gently fingering the rosary beads as she reflected on the mystery of the rosary.
Both of my mothers gave a powerful witness to me of the rosary and love for Mary and her son, Jesus.
I thank God for their presence in my life and for you Annie.
Lovingly your sister in Sts Dominic and Catherine,
Brigid
Thank you, Annie, for speaking the truth of genocide in the context of Mary’s own suffering. A priest friend of mine told me just last week that in his diocese, they are not allowed to use the word genocide in their preaching. We here at St. Catherine are praying the rosary every day at 1:00 during October pleading for peace.
Annie
I so resonate with your prayer filled concern for the people of Gaza. Only Mary can sustain our hope. I join my lament to yours as I pray the Rosary.
Let us continue to cry to Heaven that the Israelis fulfill their promise to withdraw and stop the killings–in Gaza but also in the West Bank.
I rejoice with you for your great ability to seize the moment and express truths so beautifully, Annie. May you continue to share with us the words that are formed in your loving heart. Diane Traffas O.P.
Thank you, Ann, for speaking truth to power for all of us.
Blessings on your preaching.
Thank you Annie for this profound preaching,.. Yes, ‘it is silence that kills the world’ ..Here in Louisville , folks from the FOR, and from St Wm parish, join you in preaching peace every Friday afternoon (from 4:30-5;30) on a local street corner, for the people of Gaza; no words spoken, just signs and prayer…
Peace, Kay Mahady