The Terrible Truth of Torture, (and the Golden Globes…)

Many, many years ago I was an entertainer. From grand opera to Hollywood movies, I did it all. I was a judge for the Emmy’s and went to many a “fancy-shmancy” event.

Tonight, while channel surfing I saw the beginning of the Golden Globe Awards from the Beverly Hilton Grand Ballroom, (a venue I often performed in when I was a member of The Young Americans.) In the opening bit of the two female hostesses, they made a joke about the three year marriage of the director James Cameron: “When it comes to knowing about torture, I’ll go with the wife of James Cameron,” or something thereabouts. It got a big laugh.

What is tragic about this is that torture is no joke and never can be. People right now are being tortured horribly throughout the world. The vast majority of the persecuted are Christians. Even the Jewish organization B’nai B’rith has come out saying that the most persecuted people in the world are Christians, particularly Catholics. In the West we rarely acknowledge this fact, even in traditional congregations. The tortured are forgotten. The tortured are not prayed for. The tortured have so few to speak for them. Most of the tortured are known only to God and to their families.

Many will be making novenas for healing and finances, for building campaigns and their cars or any other “important” intentions while priests, nuns, children and others are being beaten to death, starved, imprisoned, blinded, thrown from buildings, raped and shot.

The very least we can do is remember them in prayer and mention the fact to others and ask them to pray for these souls. These small acts can raise consciousness and lead to positive action. Prayer is itself a positive action. Every night say an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be for the tortured and be thankful for the gift of not being tortured. Simple. Important. Pray for the Suffering Church Militant. Pray for them right now.

“Most Loving Father of us all, we bring in faith to Thee those that are being tortured throughout the world. Please give them miracles of grace and escape, perseverance and hope, forgiveness and joy in the midst of their terror. Change the hearts of their tormentors to stop their horrid acts and send Thy holy angels to comfort the suffering and sorrowing. Give to Thy people renewed awareness of the suffering of their brothers and sisters and especially courage to speak the truth in season and out of season.

We ask all of this in the Holy Name of Jesus, in His Most Sacred Heart, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, united to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass being offered this day and every day until the end of time; in union with all the angels and saints in heaven and the souls in purgatory. Amen.”

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