In divided America, Catholics in Baltimore Archdiocese head to church on Election Day

At a time when Americans seem deeply divided and polarized, many Catholics in the Archdiocese of Baltimore are praying for peace and unity on Election Day.

Several parishes are keeping the doors of their churches open throughout Nov. 3 to allow people to pray before or after heading to the polls.

Donna Giovinazzo, a parishioner of Holy Family in Davidsonville, helped organize a day of eucharistic adoration at her parish that will also incorporate the public recitation of the rosary, the Stations of the Cross, the Divine Mercy chaplet and more. She believes prayer holds real power to change the country.

“I think our country is so divided and there’s so much hatred,” she said. “It sometimes seems it’s the point of no return. The only person who is going to help us get that back will be the Lord.”

Praying in front of the Blessed Sacrament allows those feeling anxious about the future of the nation to experience Christ’s peace, she said.

“We need the Lord’s comfort and his forgiveness to heal our country,” she said, “and at the same time, we pray for repentance and to help us with whatever comes after the election. He gives us the grace to survive and persevere.”

Deacon Doug Lovejoy, who spent part of Election Day in prayer with his wife, Jean, at Holy Family, said all families have differences. But Christ calls all to love one another despite those differences.

“I’m an old Army guy,” said Deacon Lovejoy, who retired in 1992. “In some of my military readings, I remember reading George Marshall talking about the state of the country and people’s attitudes. He said to never underestimate the goodness of the American people. Despite how tough things are right now, I would say I still feel that way.”

The deacon said “serious dialogue” needs to take place between opposing factions with different viewpoints.

Father Andy Aaron, pastor of Holy Family, warned that democracy is fragile and “must be handled with care.”

“We can do damage to our democracy, especially if our frustrations act out in the wrong way – if we vilify someone who disagrees with us,” he said. “That’s not to say we shouldn’t get upset sometimes.”

Father Aaron pointed to a recent discussion on racism hosted by his parish. People brought different viewpoints, but did so in a respectful way.

“It was such a beautiful experience to see people with some give and take on the issue,” he said. “Everyone was able to find some common ground.”

One of the blessings of a faith community, Father Aaron said,  is “it’s harder to vilify someone who you are in a Bible study with or who you go to Mass with and you see them receiving Communion.”

Rosie Sheppard, who brought her three children to Election Day adoration at Holy Family, said her family prays that leaders do the will of God. She encourages her children to respect opposing viewpoints and “not hate the other team.”

“My husband has different opinions than me,” she said, “but we don’t hate each other because of that.”

In addition to Holy Family, other parishes holding eucharistic adoration or other forms of prayer on Election Day include the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore, St. John the Evangelist in Severna Park, Christ the King in Glen Burnie and St. Ann in Hagerstown.

Several priests emphasized the importance of unity in their Election Day homilies.

Father Mark Bialek, pastor of St. John in Westminster, noted in his homily that the division found in the world has often found its way into the church.

“No matter what happens (in the election) today,” he said, “Jesus Christ is Lord. We must take him as our example on how we respond, on how we engage, in how we are called to be brothers and sisters to one another.”

If someone disagrees with them harshly, parishioners should pray for that person and offer a Mass, rosary, Divine Mercy chaplet or hour of eucharistic adoration, he said.

“In a society where we so easily cancel each other out, God our heavenly father does not write off anyone,” Father Bialek said.

Father Jeffery Dauses, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary in Baynesville, encouraged his parishioners to pray that the Holy Spirit will be upon those voting and upon those who will be elected.

Monsignor Richard Hilgartner, pastor of St. Joseph in Cockeysville, noted in his homily that Catholics must not let anxieties and preoccupations take root.

“Give the anxieties and cares over to the Lord so he can fill us with his grace,” he said.

As they have every presidential election year since 1976, the U.S. bishops have produced an election-year document titled “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility.”

Topics addressed include human life and dignity, promoting peace, marriage and family, religious freedom, economic justice, health care, migration, Catholic education, promoting justice and countering violence, combating unjust discrimination, care for the environment, communications, media and culture and global solidarity.

Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori urged parishioners to be guided by Catholic social teaching in their votes. 

“Casting our votes is not only a privilege but also a solemn duty and responsibility,” Archbishop Lori wrote in a column for the Catholic Review. 

The Maryland Catholic Conference, legislative lobbying arm of the state’s Catholic bishops, has also published a candidate survey, which covers a wide range of issues.

“As a pastor, I’m grateful that we have a church that has a strong social teaching,” Father Aaron said. “It has a perspective that perhaps prods everybody no matter where you are on the political spectrum. It’s a great gift to our nation.”

 Kevin J. Parks contributed to this story.

 Email George Matysek at gmatysek@CatholicReview.org

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