WORCESTER – A Catholic priest from Worcester blessed the country this week on the floor of the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C.
The Rev. Jonathan J. Slavinskas, pastor of St. Bernard’s Church of Our Lady of Providence Parish, delivered the opening prayer on the U.S. House of Representative floor at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, just 30 hours before President Trump’s State of the Union address.
Introduced by House Speaker Mike Johnson, Slavinskas led the representatives into prayer while evoking the good graces of “Almighty God” up above.
“Lord of all nations, we ask your blessing upon this assembly and upon the people they serve,” Slavinskas said in his prayer. “In a time marked by division, anxiety and uncertainty, grant these leaders wisdom to seek the common good, courage to choose what is right over what is easy, in humility to listen with open hearts. Where there’s anger, sow patience. Where there’s mistrust, build understanding. Where there is fear, awaken hope.”
The Rev. Jonathan Slavinskas delivers a prayer before the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday, Feb. 23. Behind him is House Speaker Mike Johnson.
In his prayer, Slavinskas, the chaplain of the Worcester Police and Fire departments, reminded members of Congress that “beyond every difference, we remain one people entrusted with the care of this nation and of one another.”
Slavinskas is a member of the Worcester Human Rights Commission.
In an interview with the Telegram & Gazette, Slavinskas said he faced a few regulations in his House appearance. He was told to keep the prayer under 150 words.
“I was just thinking about everyone that I serve in the community from the people in my parish, the immigrant community, people who struggle each and every day, from the firefighters to the police officers, everyone involved,” Slavinskas said. “You want to touch upon everything and everyone who comes to heart there. And you’re recognizing at the end of the day it about unity and doing what’s best for the common good for the people.”
This was the second time that Slavinskas delivered the opening prayer at the House of Representatives. He was the last guest chaplain to give the prayer before the government shutdown due to COVID March 15, 2020.
Slavinskas said the experience that the House of Representatives is an “awe inspiring” place to deliver a prayer, especially when you realize the hands that have touched the podium.
“You realize that the president of the United States is going to be standing at that same podium delivering his State of the Union the next night. You realize that the Pope has spoken from that podium as well,” Slavinskas said. “It’s a great feeling. Also it’s a great opportunity. Every time I can highlight Worcester I love it. Worcester’s my home. I was born and raised in Worcester. To see the name pop up, St. Bernard’s Church in Worcester, I love that.”
Slavinskas said he got a kick of seeing the Speaker of the House practicing how to say Worcester beforehand.
“He (Johnson) was in the hallway. ‘Worcester. Worcester. Worcester,’” Slavinskas said. “He said ‘Worcester’ good, but he botched my name a little bit. But that’s OK.”
After the prayer, McGovern praised Slavinskas on the House floor as “a true force of good in the Lincoln Street area.”
“He’s always a welcoming and friendly face who is known for buying pizza for the neighborhood kids or opening up the gym for pickup basketball games,” McGovern said. “He cares deeply about our immigrant community and, day in and day out, Father Jonathan lives out his Catholic faith in big and small ways. He shows up for his community and is always there for his people, especially when they’re going through rough times.”
On Monday night, Feb. 23 Slavinskas participated in the Worcester Human Rights Commission meeting via Zoom from McGovern’s office in Washington.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Rev. Jonathan Slavinskas of Worcester delivers prayer on floor of U.S. House
