Upon invitation of the President, the following prayer was offered by Senator Portantino, as written by the Chaplain, Sister Michelle Gorman, RSM:
Heart of Love, source of all kindness; teacher of the ways of goodness:
You are hidden in the pockets of daily life, waiting to be discovered.
Heart of Comfort, sheltering wings of love; refuge for sad and lonely ones:
You embrace all who bear loss, gathering our tears with care.
Heart of Understanding, one who gazes upon the imperfect, the incomplete, the flawed, the weak: You never stop extending mercy.
Heart of Generosity, abundance of insight and hope:
Daily You offer us gifts of growth, leading to continual transformation.
Heart of Deepest Peace, resting place at the core of our being:
You are waiting always for our return to this sacred home.—AMEN.
(“Heart of Love” by Joyce Rupp.)