North Raleigh Today

A Unite Our Nation event scheduled Sunday in Raleigh aims to bring back unity in the country through prayers to Mary, the Blessed Mother, and for her to intercede during the current trying times in the nation.

"We remember a time when the country was united. We had Fourth of July parades and recognized how lucky we were to live in this great nation. We said the Pledge of Allegiance in our schools and recognized we were "one nation under God," Bob Galush, organizer of the Raleigh event, told North Raleigh Today. "Prayer is the only way to bring those days back. Our Lady has performed incredible miracles in the past and we are praying for a blessing for our local community and her intercession in these troubled times." 

Galush said Unite Our Nation "was formed to help bring peace and prayer to local communities, and healing to our nation. We are passionately patriotic, with a deeply-rooted love for America. We believe in the power of the Eucharist and the serenity of the rosary."

Unite Our Nation events have taken place all over the country and many more are planned in the coming weeks. It began two months ago when a crowd of 3,000 gathered amid the destruction of riots in Madison, Wisconsin, as reported by the Wisconsin Catholic Tribune. The movement has grown considerably.

Galush said he thinks efforts like United Our Nation are important because "they promote prayer to unite our country under God and encourage us to express our prayer in public places thereby encourage fellow Catholics/Christians to join and do the same." He added, "Hopefully, it's a beacon of hope and encouragement to get out of our homes, fill our churches again and offer prayer for our communities and nation in the public square."

The Raleigh United Our Nation event will begin 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Halifax Mall. It is sponsored by the Ignited By Truth Catholic Conference and it is open to the public. Local clergy will start with a blessing, a local musician will lead the singing and a patriotic rosary will be celebrated for all 50 states.

"We will pray a rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet for our nation and request Our Lady's intercession with her son to protect and heal our local communities and nation," Galush said. "There will also be singing led by Dana Catherine, a local well-known musical artist, that will inspire us all. We will meet outdoors at the expansive Halifax Mall in Raleigh. Parking is right across the street with easy access. This will be a peaceful, reverent event beyond and away from any politics."

Everyone who attends is encouraged to follow all COVID-19 protocols, including social distancing and wearing face masks.