Lenten campaign 2026
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Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), invited bishops and priests across the United States to offer a Holy Hour for Peace.
Many responded quickly to the invitation and are organizing Holy Hours for Peace in their dioceses. Below is just a selection of the Holy Hours that have been scheduled. Check your local diocesan website for times and locations for your own Holy Hour for Peace.
Los Angeles, California
Archbishop Jose Gomez designated February 4 as a Day of Prayer for Peace in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, following Archbishop Coakley's call to the faithful.
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels will host a Holy Hour for Peace following the 12:10 p.m. Noon Mass on Wednesday, February 4:
All are invited to come together for Mass and Holy Hour to ask Christ to grant peace to our nation, comfort to those who suffer, and wisdom to all who lead.
Arlington, Virginia
Bishop Michael Burbidge said he will lead a Holy Hour for Peace and encouraged the faithful to add their own personal prayers:
In union with my brother bishops, and in response to the invitation of USCCB President Archbishop Paul Coakley to implore God’s assistance in healing divisions in our nation, I encourage all the faithful to consider making a personal Holy Hour for Peace in the days to come.
I will lead the faithful in a Holy Hour for Peace at the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More.
I invite all pastors in the Diocese of Arlington to consider a Holy Hour for Peace in their parishes in the near future and encourage all priests and those living the consecrated life to devote special time in prayer before our Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament for peace, justice, and reconciliation in our nation.
Denver, Colorado
Archbishop Samuel Aquila encouraged every parish and school in his diocese to hold a Holy Hour for Peace:
Our churches remain places of prayer, welcome and pastoral care for all. In this spirit, and in unity with the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Paul Coakley, I invite our priests to offer — and our faithful to participate in — a Holy Hour for Peace in the days ahead. I ask every parish and school to offer a Holy Hour in the next two weeks.
Let us bring our fears, our grief and our hopes before the Lord, praying for reconciliation where there is division, justice where human dignity is undermined, consolation for all who feel overwhelmed or afraid, and conversion of hearts and minds of the citizens of our country.
Among the churches taking up the call to prayer is Denver’s Risen Christ Parish, with a Holy Hour for Peace planned for February 13 at 7 a.m.
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Bishop Kevin Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend added his voice to Archbishop Coakley’s, calling for Holy Hours for Peace in his diocese and saying:
Through the years, I have spoken and written often about immigration, explaining the Church’s teaching on migration, the plight of refugees, and the need for comprehensive immigration reform in the United States. Sadly, such reform has not happened, due to the political polarization in our society. Now we find ourselves in a situation where peace is threatened. We must pray and act for peace in our cities and nation.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Naturally, Archbishop Coakley's own diocese heard his call and organized several Holy Hours for Peace.
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church held a Holy Hour for Peace on February 3. St. Eugene Catholic Church will hold theirs on February 4, and shared their archbishop's words:
Your faith matters. Your prayers matter. Your acts of love and works of justice matter.
Louisville, Kentucky
Archbishop Shelton Fabre will hold a Holy Hour for Peace on February 6 at Holy Family Church, saying:
Join me in praying for guidance from the Holy Spirit as we address these matters, seek peace, and the protection of human life and dignity.
Three in Texas
Several Texas cities are responding to Archbishop Coakley’s call.
The Diocese of El Paso held a Holy Hour for Peace on Sunday, February 1, at St. Patrick Cathedral. El Paso Bishop Mark J. Seitz called for the Holy Hour to bring “the faithful together in prayer for peace, healing and the dignity of life.”
The Diocese of Galveston-Houston said in a statement that Archbishop Joe Vásquez would offer a Holy Hour at the St. Mary’s Seminary, and he encouraged the parishes and religious communities of the diocese to organize similar events. The diocese also shared a liturgical text that could be used during this time of prayer, available in several languages.
The Shrine of True Cross in Dickinson responded to their archbishop’s call. The shrine community posted on their Facebook page an invitation to a Holy Hour for Peace on Wednesday, February 4:
In a world so deeply in need of God’s peace, we turn to the One who alone can give it.
The U.S. bishops have called for a Holy Hour to pray for peace: in our hearts, in our country, and throughout the world. We invite you and your family to join us before the Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Feel free to add in the comments the date and time of your own diocesan Holy Hours.
