The Litany for Victims of Gun Violence

On Dec. 29, 2014 the Feast of the Holy Innocents, EPF Peace Partner Parish St Luke's Long Beach, CA offered a Service of Lament at 5:00 pm Pacific Time.

This has been slightly modified from its original version.

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from the Episcopal Peace Fellowship

The litany for victims of gun violence:

Leader: As Joseph and Mary fled a violent land to protect their child Jesus, we are forced to ask: Where can we go? What can we do? How can we protect our children?
Leader: We remember those whose murders make headlines.
People: How can we protect our children?
Leader: We remember those whose deaths aren't counted and whose lives don't matter.
People: How can we protect our children?
Leader: We remember those killed by gang members, police officers, family members, and friends.
People: How can we protect our children?
Leader: We remember those who have taken their own lives with guns.
People: How can we protect our children?
Leader: We remember those killed by strangers, in schools, on campuses, on the streets, or in their homes.
People: How can we protect our children?
Leader: We remember those killed alone or in mass shootings.
People: How can we protect our children?
Leader:  We reach out to survivors, to those wounded in body, mind, and spirit.
People: How can we protect our children?
Leader: We reach out to their loved ones in compassion and prayer.
People: How can we help those who have lost their parents, their brothers and sisters, their children?

Celebrant: Gracious God, we come before you this day in pain and sorrow. We grieve the loss of all children victimized by gun violence. Give your grace to those who grieve that they may find comfort in your presence and be strengthened by your Spirit. Be with all families as they mourn, and draw them together in your healing love; in the name of the one who suffered, died, and rose for us, Jesus our Savior. Amen.