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At Vespers on Sunday 27^th the Benedictine Community, along with our guests and visitors in attendance, joined Catholic Religious throughout the country in prayer for the National Day of Sorrow and Promise.

Close to the anniversary of the National Apology to Victims and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse, it provided an opportunity to mourn the profound impact that institutional sexual abuse has had on thousands of lives over many decades in Australia. The National Day of Sorrow and Promise offers a national response from Catholic Religious across the country to recognise survivors and all who have been harmed from abuse in the Church and to make a commitment to a safer future.

Announcing this year’s theme, Executive Director of CRA Anne Walker said:

The starting point for the theme for this year’s liturgy was the pain of abuse for so many in different ways. There was a recognition that Jesus is with us in our individual and collective pain and that Jesus suffered for our sins. The wound of Christ from which water and blood emerges became a theme – life flowing from the wound. Water is also used as a cleansing and life-source as we move forward through the liturgy with hope-filled hearts in a present and future Church that protects all. The symbols of water and blood have been used throughout the booklet. We hope and pray that life and healing may flow from the wounds suffered through this abuse crisis in our Church.

Replacing the usual prayers of intercession we prayed for all those affected by neglect and abuse, and before the concluding prayer, the monks recited a litany of promise, giving voice to their commitment to prevention strategies now in place here in New Norcia and throughout the Catholic Church in Australia.

Read the CRA full liturgy booklet and promise statement.