When the prophet Jonah preached to Nineveh, he did not offer political solutions or worldly strategies. He called the people to repentance. They humbled themselves before God in prayer and fasting, and the Lord, seeing their sincere conversion, poured out His mercy.
Our own age is in desperate need of that same response.
The wounds of our world continue to deepen. War has left countless innocent men, women, and children suffering. Violence and persecution continue in many parts of the world. The dignity of human life is ignored. Families are often under attack, and many souls have wandered far from God. We cannot become indifferent to these realities, nor can we allow ourselves to lose hope.
Recently, I had the blessing of making a pilgrimage to Quito, Ecuador, to the site of Our Lady of Good Success. Centuries ago, Our Lady warned of a time of profound spiritual crisis, a time when confusion would enter society and even the life of the Church. Yet she did not leave us with fear. She pointed us toward hope, promising that after the darkness, God would bring about a renewal of the Church and a restoration of holy and faithful priests.
Those promises should strengthen our confidence today.
The renewal we long for will not come through human strength alone. It begins when hearts are converted to Christ. Every rosary prayed, every fast faithfully offered, every sacrifice united to Our Lord becomes part of God’s work of renewing His Church and calling souls back to Himself.
As you observe this month’s Nineveh Fast, pray with renewed fervor for the conversion of sinners, for peace in a world torn by hatred and violence, for all innocent victims of war, trafficking, abuse, and persecution, and for the healing of families. Pray especially for bishops, priests, and religious, that they may remain courageous and faithful shepherds after the Heart of Christ. And ask Our Lady of Good Success to intercede for the promised renewal of the Church and the priesthood.
The darkness of our times is real, but it does not have the final word. Jesus Christ is Lord of history. He remains with His Church, and He continues to pour out His mercy upon those who seek Him with humble and repentant hearts.
Let us enter this month’s Nineveh Fast with confidence, trusting that God hears the prayers of His faithful people and that, in His perfect time, He will fulfill every promise.
Bishop Joseph E. Strickland