Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York and Father Frank Mann of the Diocese of Brooklyn opened and closed the prayers of invocation and benediction, respectively, at the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Dolan kicked off the prayers of invocation and was followed by the Rev. Franklin Graham, son of the late renowned American evangelist Billy Graham and current head of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
In his prayer Dolan, who was also tapped to offer the invocation at Trump’s 2017 inauguration, called on Americans to pray that the incoming administration be guided by and aligned with the will of God and for the new president, especially, that he be instilled with wisdom.
“We, blessed citizens of this one nation under God, humbled by our claim that in God we trust, gather indeed this inauguration day to pray for our president Donald J. Trump, his family, his advisers, his Cabinet, his aspirations, his vice president,” Dolan prayed.
As the inauguration also fell on the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday in the United States, Dolan also invoked the memory of the slain civil rights activist, stating: “Observing the birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King, who warned: ‘Without God, our efforts turn to ashes.’”
Calling especially upon God for the gift of wisdom, Dolan prayed: “If wisdom, which comes from [God] be not with him, he shall be held with no esteem. Send wisdom from the heavens that she may be with him, that he may know your designs.”
“Please, God, bless America,” he concluded: “You are the God in whom we trust, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.”
Following Dolan, Graham centered his prayer on gratitude, saying: “We come to say thank you, O Lord our God! Father, when Donald Trump’s enemies thought he was down and out, you and you alone saved his life and raised him up with strength and power by your mighty hand.”
Graham prayed in particular for continued safety for Trump and his wife, Melania.
Notably, Graham also prayed for Vance, that he may stand beside Trump and “hold his arms up like Aaron held up the arms of Moses in the midst of battle.”
“We know that America can never be great again if we turn our backs on you,” he concluded. “We ask for your help. We pray all of this in the name of the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, your Son, my Savior, and our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen.”
After Trump and Vance were sworn in, African-American Pastor Lorenzo Sewell and Rabbi Ari Berman offered two of the three prayers of benediction.
Referencing Trump’s near-assassination, Sewell centered his benediction on gratitude, declaring: “Heavenly Father, we are so grateful that you gave our 45th and now our 47th president a millimeter miracle.”
Also referencing Martin Luther King Jr., Sewell continued: “We pray that you use our president so that we will live in a nation where we will not be judged by the color of our skin but by the content of our character.”
Berman prayed that Trump and Vance would unite the nation “around our foundational biblical values of life and liberty of service, of sacrifice, and especially of faith and morality, which George Washington called the ‘indispensable supports of American prosperity.’”
“May our nation merit the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s blessing,” he stated, “that like a tree planted by water, we shall not cease to bear fruit; may all of humanity experience your love and your blessing, may it be thy will, and let us say amen.”
Father Frank Mann offers closing benediction
Lastly, Mann of the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York, concluded the prayers of benediction, offering a particularly personal prayer for the new president, with whom he is personally acquainted.
“As our president and vice president embrace their newly appointed roles,” he said, “we humbly implore that your everlasting love and wisdom will envelop them and grant them the clarity of mind to navigate the challenges that lie ahead and the compassion to serve all citizens with fairness and integrity.”
As CNA reported last week, Mann, who is a retired diocesan priest, originally struck up what the Tablet called an “unlikely friendship” with Trump after he came across the grave sites of Trump’s parents in a Queens cemetery.
“It was slightly overgrown,” Mann told the Tablet. “I thought this shouldn’t be. This is a historic site. So, I went and bought a weed whacker and some decorations and fixed up the plot.” The priest then sent a photo of the graves to the president.
When Trump learned of the priest’s actions, he called Mann personally saying the two should meet up. They have continued to remain in contact since, with Trump reportedly seeking Mann’s advice on winning the Catholic vote in this past election.
Mann concluded his prayer by giving special thanks for Trump’s parents, Mary and Fred Trump.
“Without [them], this day would never be the miracle that has just begun,” he reflected. “From their place in heaven, may they shield their son from all harm by their loving protection and give him the strength to guide our nation along the path that will make America great again.”
Imam Husham Al-Husainy, who had previously been scheduled to offer a Muslim benediction at the ceremony, did not appear at the event. The Dearborn, Michigan-based Husainy had generated controversy for his past expressions regarding Hezbollah and Iran.
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