Mother Of God Light In All Darkness

World AIDS Day 2018
https://www.cdc.gov/features/worldaidsday/
“Mother of God
Light in All Darkness,
shelter Him our flame of hope
with your tender hands.
And in our times of
dread and nightmares,
let Him be our dream of comfort.
And in our times of
physical pain and suffering,
let Him be our healer.
And in our times of separation
from God and one another,
let Him be our communion.
Amen”
Mother Of God Light In All Darkness
In September 1983, I was asked to be the celebrant for the first Mass for people with HIV-AIDS in New York City. Thus, began a ministry at St. Vincent’s Hospice in Manhattan that would last for seven years. I had painted a large image concerning the suffering of people with HIV-AIDS in 1984, called “The Epiphany: Wisemen Bring Gifts To The Child.” As soon as I began working on icons I was commissioned to do this icon and I wrote the accompanying prayer, which has been used by many people, no matter what it is they are suffering from; they feel held by Mother and Child.
– Fr. Bill McNichols