Lord, have mercy upon us. As nation rises against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, as famines and tragedies surround us, let us not be distressed or deceived. For it is in times like these, when wars and rumors of wars overwhelm our sense of certainty and security, that we lose sight of Your righteousness and doubt Your hand in our lives.
Lord, have mercy upon us. Show us what right is. For far more righteous than our attempts at vengeance, and far more just than our own sense of justice, is Your holy wrath and judgment against all that undermines Your design for peace and amity, even among enemies.
Lord, have mercy upon us. Deliver us from the suffering that wars inflict upon the innocent and the upright. Preserve them from becoming collateral damage, too often the ill–considered cost of conflict.
Lord, have mercy upon us. Keep in Your everlasting care those who serve on the front lines, who fight for freedom and defend the right to live in safety and security.
Lord, have mercy upon us. Speak Your word of truth to the leaders who wield the power to bring conflict to an end. Inspire in them a deep desire to listen for and to yield to Your will.
Lord, have mercy upon us and grant us Your peace in these days. Amen.
Matthew 24:6–7
And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God?
—Thomas Jefferson
Join us to pray the Rosary for Congress and the nation – each Friday at 11:30 am in the Interfaith Staff Prayer Room – 467 Cannon – and via Zoom. All are welcome. Rosaries and prayer sheets are provided. For zoom link or more information, contact Karen.Bronson@mail.house.gov Hosted by the Office of the Chaplain
The Interfaith Staff Prayer Room is open for congressional staff to use for personal prayer and meditation. For questions – email StaffPrayerRoom@mail.house.gov
Services at local churches for Ash Wednesday:
(For Catholics – Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation but a meaningful way to begin the season of Lent. It is a day of fasting for those age 18–59 – one full meal is allowed plus 2 smaller ones that don't equal a full meal – and abstinence from meat for those 14 and older.)
St. Peter’s Church on Capitol Hill
313 2nd St SE
Mass: 7:30 a.m.; 12:00 p.m.; 6:30 p.m.
St. Joseph’s on Capitol Hill
313 2nd St NE
Mass: 8:00 a.m.; 12:10 p.m.; 5:30 p.m.
St. Dominic’s
630 E St SW
Mass: 8:00 a.m.; 12:10 p.m.; 7:00 p.m.
St. Vincent De Paul
14 M St SE
Mass: 7:00 a.m., 12:10 p.m.; 6:00 p.m.
The Church of the Resurrection (Anglican)
501 E St SE
Ash Wednesday Service: 7:00 a.m.; 10:00 a.m. (children); 6:30 p.m.
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Capitol Hill
301 A St SE
Ash Wednesday Service: 12:00 p.m.; 7:00 p.m.
Christ Church + Washington Parish
620 G St SE
“Ashes to Go”: (9:00 a.m. near Eastern Market Metro)
Ash Wednesday Service: 7:30 a.m.; 4:30 p.m. (children’s service); 7:00 p.m.
Lutheran Church of the Reformation
212 East Capitol St NE
“Ashes to Go”: 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Ash Wednesday Service: 6:30 p.m.
Capitol Hill Presbyterian
201 4th St SE
Ashes to Go: Eastern Market – 7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Ash Wednesday Service: 7:00 p.m.
Capitol Hill United Methodist Church
401 Seward Square SE
Ashes to go & blessing; 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. on church steps
Ash Wednesday service – 7:00 p.m. at Ebenezer United Methodist Church 400 D St. SE
Capitol Hill – Interfaith Staff Prayer Room (Cannon 467)
Offered by Fr. Chris Kellerman, SJ
Thursdays, March 12, March 19 & March 26
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
If you would prefer to meet with Fr. Kellerman at a different time for the sacrament or for another matter, please email him at jccuoje@jesuits.org
St. Peter’s: 2nd & C St. SE
M–F: 8:00 am & 11:30 am
W: 6:00 pm
Sat: 8:30 am & 4:00 pm
St. Joseph’s: 2nd & C St. NE
M–F: 11:45 am – 12:05 pm
Sat: 4:45 – 5:20 pm
St. Dominic’s: 6th & E St. SW
M–F: 11:45 am – 12:10 pm
Th: 7 – 7:45 pm
Sat: 4:30 – 5:00 pm
Sun: 9:45 – 10:30 am
St. Vincent de Paul: M St. & South Capitol Street SE
M, T, Th, F: 11:40 am – 12:10 pm
Th: 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Sun: 7:30 – 8:00 am, 11:30 am – 12 pm, 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Join us for the 4th annual Capitol Hill Ministry and Faith Fair – come and explore a wide array of spiritual resources on Capitol Hill for worship, prayer, study, service and community. More than 25 local places of worship and other ministries represented. For more information: chaplainoffice@mail.house.gov