Official Website of the
Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
Novena for Protection and Healing from Abuse During National Child Abuse Prevention Month
Saturday, April 18, 2026 - Sunday, April 26, 2026
Location: All Parishes - Diocese of Little Rock
Contact: Susan David
Phone: (501) 664-0340, ext. 332
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and to raise awareness around the importance of protecting God’s children in the Church, the Diocese of Little Rock has held an annual Mass for Hope and Healing at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock for years.
But this year, to encourage inclusivity among all the parishes, schools and communities in the diocese, Catholics across Arkansas are encouraged to participate in a Novena for Protection and Healing from Abuse created by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The novena is available in English and Spanish.
Deacon Matthew Glover, JCL, chancellor for the Diocese of Little Rock, announced the change in a letter to priests, deacons, diocesan employees and parish secretaries April 7. “We recognize the limitations of being able to participate in that Mass in person,” he wrote. “So, this year there will be no Mass of Hope and Healing. Instead, we are asking all parishes to promote the USCCB’s Novena for Protection and Healing from Abuse and to consider praying this at your Masses, beginning Saturday, April 18 and ending Sunday, April 26.” To learn more, read Arkansas Catholic.
For additional resources, download the 2026 Child Abuse Prevention Month Resource Booklet. For more information, contact Susan David, coordinator of the diocese's Safe Environment Program, at (501) 664-0340, ext. 332.
