Prayer for World AIDS Day

Leela Ramdeen, Consultant, Catholic Commission for Social Justice, Trinidad and Tobago writes:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matt 11: 29-30)

Lord, on this World AIDS Day (Thursday 1 December), we ask that you inspire us to be change agents in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Our response must be compassionate and non-judgmental. All life is sacred. We must recognise the dignity of each person made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27)

Lord, we take cognisance of the fact that, as the World Health Organisation states: "HIV remains a major public health issue that affects millions of people worldwide. But our response is at risk of falling behind. Of the 38 million people living with HIV, 5.9 million people who know they have HIV are not receiving treatment. A further 4 million people living with HIV have not yet been diagnosed.

"While 76% of adults overall were receiving antiretroviral treatment that help them lead normal and healthy lives, only 52% of children living with HIV were accessing this treatment globally in 2021. 70% of new HIV infections are among people who are marginalized and often criminalized."

Heavenly Father, we beseech you to provide comfort and hope to those who are infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. Strengthen them and journey with them in their time of need. Holy Spirit, inspire us all to work to eliminate stigma and discrimination which continue to undermine prevention, treatment and care of persons living with HIV and AIDS and to promote the dignity of each human person.

Lord, we pray for those individuals and organisations that strive to meet the physical, mental, spiritual, and economic needs of persons living with HIV and AIDS. We thank organisations such as CARITAS, that give yeoman service and that suggest that parishes develop prayer, liturgies, anointing services, memorial services, rituals, and symbols that are meaningful. Home-care, counselling, social and spiritual support, encouraging persons to get tested and accompanying them are also important areas of pastoral care. We pray also for those who work tirelessly to find possible cures for HIV and AIDS and for those who have died of AIDS, may their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.

St John Paul II we remember your words to participants at the 1989 Vatican Conference on AIDS. You said: "… I invite all the faithful to lift up their prayer to the Lord of life so that he will help humanity to bear fruit, even with regard to this... menacing calamity. That God will enlighten believers … so that they might be messengers of the hope that does not die."

Amen.