Sangamon Sun

A Unite Our Nation event Saturday, Oct. 10 in Springfield seeks to bring unity, through prayer, to the country and the city during a divisive time in the nation.

The organizer of the city's event, Lisa Bergman, told the Sangamon Sun that the Unite Our Nation was "started at the grassroots level by ordinary Catholics who felt the need to pray for our country in the best way we know how as Catholics: by bringing our Lord out onto the streets in a very real, physical way in the Eucharist.  

"They were able to organize a beautiful Eucharistic procession through the riot-damaged streets of Madison, Wisconsin, praying for healing and unity. They knew that others would want to do the same, so they created an organization and a website to support other laypeople around the country who want to participate in this public intercession for our nation."

Bergman said she chose to get involved in the movement because she believes more than ever faith in God is needed in the country and the unity and peace than come from Him are needed in this divisive country.

"This year’s COVID-19 pandemic hit our country at a time when we are more divided than ever," Bergman said. "Shutting down our public means of worship, and the possibility for healing that comes from it, has only poured gasoline on this fire. Now more than ever, we need the strength, the unity and the peace that comes from only one source: our faith in God. We need prayer like never before, not merely in private, but out there, for all to see."

Bergman said the efforts of Unite Our Nation are important during this challenging time in the country.

"There are so many forces right now that seek to divide and conquer, whether it is little things like covering our faces so we can’t see each other smile, or having to stay 6 feet apart and not touch or hug one another, or whether it is big things like the violence and unrest that have erupted all over our country," Bergman said. "We will never find answers to our problems in division, hatred and destruction. Only by searching for those things that bring us together and build us up will we heal the wounds we all experience."

According to Bergman, when things are not going right, people seek comfort. She said it is time to find a commonality amongst people.

"When children are sick or frightened, they want their mother," she said. "When people are living sad, humdrum lives, they dream of escaping to a beautiful tropical island. We all seek those things that comfort us when things go wrong. The beautiful, the meaningful, the things we share in common are what we most need right now, and that is what we are seeking to provide in some small way with these public Eucharistic processions. Knowing that God is with us, that he has not abandoned us, gives us all hope for the future."

The Springfield event will commence at Sacred Heart Church in Springfield at 11 a.m. Bergman said participants will proceed toward the Illinois Capitol and then pray the rosary and have benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. They will then process back to Sacred Heart, ending around 2 p.m. 

"This is all about praying for unity and healing, so it is not political," Bergman said. "We are simply praying for our nation. All are welcome."

A list of planned United Our Nation events can be found on its website, and anyone who wants to find details of events near them can find information there. The site also allows anyone to plan an event on their own where they can download a playbook, posters and social media graphics.