Persevering in faith, trusting in God’s providence, and praying for Father Richard’s return to active priestly ministry.
It has now been more than eight years since Father Richard Kirkham was removed from active ministry in June 2018.
Throughout these years, countless prayers have been offered by those who love Father Richard, remember his priestly service, and continue to hope for a resolution that will allow him to return to his sacred vocation.
Despite the passage of time, our faith and hope remain steadfast.
Father Richard’s recent pilgrimage to Medjugorje offers a meaningful opportunity to renew our commitment to prayer, especially through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace.
We invite our members, friends, and all the faithful to join us in offering these beautiful and time-honored Catholic prayers for Father Richard, for his strength and perseverance, and for a favorable resolution that will allow him to return to active priestly ministry.
Our Lady, Queen of Peace: The Medjugorje Peace Chaplet
The Medjugorje Peace Chaplet, sometimes called the Seven-Sevens, is a simple devotion deeply associated with the prayer traditions of Medjugorje.
Its emphasis on peace and reconciliation makes it particularly meaningful as we continue praying for Father Richard.
How to pray the Peace Chaplet:
- Begin with the Sign of the Cross.
- Recite the Apostles’ Creed.
- Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.
- Repeat that group of three prayers until each has been prayed seven times.
Before beginning, simply offer the chaplet for Father Richard’s intention, particularly for his restoration to active ministry, peace, perseverance, and the resolution of his case.
The devotion can be prayed individually or with family and friends. It is a beautiful daily practice and requires only a few minutes.
Learn more about this prayer tradition from the official Medjugorje parish website.
St. Padre Pio: A Saint Who Understood the Trials of Priesthood
St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina offers a particularly meaningful example of perseverance in the priestly vocation.
For a period beginning in 1931, Padre Pio’s public priestly ministry was restricted. He was eventually permitted to resume celebrating public Mass, and his faculties for hearing confessions were subsequently restored.
Throughout his life, Padre Pio remained deeply devoted to the Eucharist, prayer, and his priestly vocation.
We invite supporters to seek St. Padre Pio’s intercession for Father Richard, especially for his strength, peace, and perseverance as he continues to hope for a return to active ministry.
Recommended prayer: Stay With Me, Lord, the beautiful prayer attributed to Padre Pio following Holy Communion.
Read Padre Pio’s “Stay With Me, Lord” prayer.
St. John Vianney: Patron Saint of Parish Priests
St. John Mary Vianney, the beloved Curé of Ars, is the patron saint of parish priests.
His extraordinary devotion to the Eucharist, the Sacrament of Confession, and the spiritual care of his parishioners continues to inspire priests and faithful Catholics around the world.
As we pray for Father Richard, we ask St. John Vianney’s intercession for his priestly vocation and his hoped-for return to pastoral service.
Recommended prayer: Prayer for Priests by St. John Vianney.
Read the Prayer for Priests, provided by the Diocese of St. Petersburg.
St. Martin de Porres: Renewing Our Original Novena
For members of FRK Advocates, St. Martin de Porres holds a special place in our hearts as the patron saint of the parish Father Richard served.
In October 2018, our community joined together in praying a traditional nine-day novena to St. Martin de Porres, asking for Father Richard’s reinstatement.
We encourage members to revisit this same novena, uniting our prayers with those offered throughout the years.
The novena may be prayed at any time, but October 26 through November 3 is particularly appropriate, concluding on the feast of St. Martin de Porres.
Recommended prayer: Novena to St. Martin de Porres.
Pray the original novena published by FRK Advocates.
St. Joseph: Protector of the Universal Church
St. Joseph, the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is honored as Patron of the Universal Church.
His faithful obedience, quiet strength, patience, and trust in divine providence offer a powerful example for Catholics facing prolonged uncertainty.
We invite supporters to seek St. Joseph’s intercession for Father Richard, for the Church, and for everyone involved in bringing his situation to a peaceful and favorable resolution.
Recommended prayer: Litany of St. Joseph, a traditional devotion published by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Pray the Litany of St. Joseph.
A Traditional Prayer for All Priests
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops provides a beautiful Prayer for Priests, asking God to strengthen priests in their vocation and grant them the wisdom, understanding, and grace necessary to serve His people.
This is an especially appropriate prayer to offer for Father Richard, remembering his priestly vocation and his continued desire to serve the Church.
Read the USCCB Prayer for Priests.
A Novena to Our Lady, Queen of Peace
For those wishing to deepen their prayer in the spirituality of Medjugorje, the official parish of Medjugorje also provides a beautiful nine-day novena to Our Lady, Queen of Peace.
The devotion includes the Rosary, prayers to the Holy Spirit, Scripture reflections, and traditional Marian prayers.
It is especially fitting for those who wish to unite their prayers for Father Richard with the spirituality of his recent pilgrimage.
Pray the Novena to Our Lady, Queen of Peace.
Continuing in Prayer and Hope
In addition to these devotions, we invite all supporters to continue offering Holy Mass intentions, the Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, and personal sacrifices for Father Richard.
Above all, we ask for prayers that God will strengthen and guide him, bring his case to a peaceful and favorable resolution, and open the way for his return to active priestly ministry.
We also pray for the Holy Father, our bishops, and all entrusted with pastoral responsibilities, asking the Holy Spirit to guide them with wisdom, charity, and discernment.
Our desire is not division, but healing, reconciliation, and the spiritual good of the Church.
After more than eight years, our hope remains.
We are reminded of the words of St. Paul in Galatians 6:9, encouraging the faithful not to grow weary in doing good.
May our continued prayers bear fruit according to God’s holy will.
Our Lady, Queen of Peace, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, pray for us.
St. Padre Pio, pray for us.
St. Martin de Porres, pray for us.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
May God Be Praised!