Wear Blue for Child Abuse Prevention

Wear Blue. Child Abuse Is Preventable

Ohioans are encouraged to “Wear Blue” on the second Wednesday in April to support child abuse prevention. The Public Children’s Services Association of Ohio (PCSAO) provides resources for churches, schools, families or other entities looking to observe this day. Post a photo on social media of yourself wearing blue with the hashtag: #OhioWearsBlue2025

All are welcome to join Bishop David J. Bonnar for 12:10pm Mass at St. Columba Cathedral.

Wear blue!

All Catholic parishes, schools, and families are encouraged to recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. Here are some resources to support your prayerful participation:

USCCB Abuse Prevention Resources

Diocese of Youngstown Office of Safe Environment

Personal Prayer

Please take time this month to pray A Prayer for Healing Victims of Abuse, which is provided by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:

God of endless love, ever caring, ever strong, always present, always just: You gave your only Son to save us by his blood on the cross.

Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace, join to your own suffering the pain of all who have been hurt in body, mind, and spirit by those who betrayed the trust placed in them.

Hear the cries of our brothers and sisters who have been gravely harmed, and the cries of those who love them.

Soothe their restless hearts with hope, steady their shaken spirits with faith.

Grant them justice for their cause, enlightened by your truth.

Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts, heal your people’s wounds and transform brokenness into wholeness.

Grant us the courage and wisdom, humility and grace, to act with justice.

Breathe wisdom into our prayers and labors.

Grant that all harmed by abuse may find peace in justice.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Universal Prayers

One or more of the following petitions should be included with your Universal Prayers on April 9th:

• For victims of child abuse and neglect, may God help to free them so that they may live safely in the peace of Christ….we pray to the Lord.
• For children suffering physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, may they be delivered into the compassion of the Lord….we pray to the Lord.
• For all victims of child abuse and neglect, may they feel neither guilt nor shame, but have the courage to seek help in order to free themselves from all that ails them….we pray to the Lord.
• For perpetrators of child abuse or neglect that they may stop and seek professional help….we pray to the Lord.
• For those who witness abuse or neglect, that they may understand that abusive behavior is never an expression of love, is never acceptable, and must never be tolerated….we pray to the Lord.
• For our community of faith, that we may become compassionate and sensitive towards victims of child abuse and neglect as Jesus would be….we pray to the Lord.
• For an end to all child abuse and neglect, that all of us may be an instrument of peace, a beacon of light, and source of healing….we pray to the Lord.