These days, Malta celebrates Pride Week. Here’s why I’m praying for you … for my LGBTQ+ siblings, for those who are allies, and for the Church at large:

1. That you too may receive who you are — your identity and orientation — as a gift from God (perhaps unwanted), as a grace. A grace to receive, to accept, to celebrate.
2. That you may find a safe space to be yourself, without fear or shame … in your time, at your pace. That you may be blessed with friends, family, to whom you can come out not only without fear, but all finding in them your greatest supporters.
3. That you may discover spaces in the Church that are welcoming, and that through your living witness, may create space for others.
4. That you may find the friendship and the support to slowly unlearn the self-hate, the self-loathing, the internalised homophobia, that you have been imbibed with, by society, even by the Church.

Praying also:

1. For those who, particularly in the Church, spout homophobia. That the good Lord may open their hearts to the suffering and harm they cause (even with the best of intentions). That they may be blessed with many gay friends, that friendship and love, may help undo their fears and prejudice.
2. For those among the clergy and religious, older and younger, veterans or in formation, who are still struggling with coming to terms with themselves, and perhaps feel confused, afraid, worried. That the Lord may look kindly on their struggle, and provide them with the needed support to find peace and joy in the gift of who they have been created to be, that they may lead their lives and their vocations with great integrity, transformed by their struggle into persons of greater compassion and love.
3. For the whole Church, that letting go of fear, it may find itself enriched by those, who despite having every reason to leave, have chosen to stay.

So, yes, I joyfully pray. And please join me too. Offer it up at Mass, say the Rosary, or perhaps a Hail Mary or an Our Father. Pray in the way that you know, in the way that you can entrust all this to God.