Catholic clergy offer prayers for Trump, Vance at inauguration

CV NEWS FEED // Archdiocese of New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Father Frank Mann, a retired Brooklyn-based priest and friend of President Donald Trump, led prayers for Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance at the inauguration Jan. 20.

The two Catholic clergy led the prayers inside the United States Capitol Rotunda on Jan. 20, where the historic ceremony took place.

Cardinal Dolan prayed the following in the invocation:

“‘Be still and know that I am God. Supreme among the nations, supreme on the Earth.’ Let us pray. Remembering General George Washington on his knees at Valley Forge, recalling Abraham Lincoln at his second inaugural, with malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, remembering General George Patton’s instructions to his soldiers as they began the Battle of the Bulge eight decades ago: ‘Pray, pray when fighting, pray alone, pray with others, pray by night, pray by day.’ 

Observing the birthday of the Reverend Martin Luther King, who warned [that] ‘without God our efforts turn to ashes,’ We, blessed citizens of this one nation under God, humbled by our claim that in God we trust, gather, indeed, this inauguration day to pray for our President Donald J. Trump; his family; his advisors; his cabinet; his aspirations, his vice president. For the Lord’s blessings upon Joseph Biden, for our men and women in uniform, for each other, whose hopes are stoked this new year, this Inauguration Day. 

We cannot err in relying upon that prayer from the Bible, upon which our president will soon place his hand in oath, as we make our own the supplications of King Solomon for wisdom, as he began his governance: God of our fathers, in your wisdom, you set man to govern your creatures to govern in holiness and justice, to render justice with integrity, give our leader wisdom, for he is your servant, aware of his own weakness and brevity of life. If wisdom, which comes not from you be not with him, he shall be held in no esteem. Send wisdom from Heaven so that she may be with him, that he may know your designs. Please, God, bless America. Please, mend every flaw. You are the God in Whom we trust, Who lives and reigns, forever and ever, amen.”

Fr. Mann, who became friends with Trump after personally restoring and decorating the gravesite of Trump’s parents and grandparents several years ago, led the closing prayer. 

“We gather here today in reverence, joined in our shared hopes and dreams for our beloved nation. In this sacred moment of the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump and Vice President JD Vance, we turn our hearts to You, seeking Your Divine assistance and abundant blessings upon this pivotal moment in history. We come before You with profound gratitude to the many gifts You have bestowed upon our land. Thank you for the freedoms we cherish, for the strength of our communities, and for the resilience of our spirit. 

As our president and vice president embrace their newly appointed roles, we humbly implore that Your everlasting love and wisdom will envelop them. Grant them the clarity of mind to navigate the challenges that lie ahead, and the compassion to serve all citizens with fairness and integrity. May their hearts be filled with a giving spirit and sincere understanding for those whom they represent. May they be beacons of hope in times of uncertainty, and prophetic voices in defending the dignity of all created life. 

We pray for a spirit of collaboration to flourish in our government and across our nation, fostering an environment where dialogue and heartfelt listening will prevail over division or discord. May each decision made by our president and vice president reflect the values of justice and peace. As we embark on this new chapter, we also seek your comfort, oh God, for those who feel lost or disheartened. In this time of transition, may your light shine upon them, reaffirming their belief in a brighter tomorrow. 

May we all strive to lift one another, supporting our fellow citizens with kindness and empathy, recognizing that together we can overcome any adversity. Grant us the strength to endure, the courage to face our fears, and the clarity to see the light that remains even when clouds of uncertainty may gather. Inspire our new leaders to be champions for the vulnerable and advocates for those whose voices are often silenced. May they pursue policies that promote the well-being of all, seeking to build bridges that will foster unity and belonging. 

As we stand witness to this inauguration, we hold fast to the faith, to our faith in the goodness of each of us, and the possibility of change. We trust that, with your guidance, oh God, our nation can move forward to a future filled with promise, prosperity, and understanding. 

And finally, we lift our hearts in gratitude for the beloved parents of President Trump. Without Mary and Fred Trump, this day would never be the miracle that has just begun. From their place in Heaven, may they shield their son from all harm by their loving protection, and give him the strength to guide our nation along the path that will make America great again. 

Let us go forth now with these words of President Trump’s, emblazoned on our hearts: ‘As long as we have pride in our beliefs, courage in our convictions, and faith in our God, then we will not fail.’ ‘We stand tall, we stand proud, because we are Americans. And Americans kneel to God, and to God Alone.’ Amen.”

>> Pope invokes ‘an abundance of divine blessings’ on Trump, his family and the American people in Inauguration Day message <<