Patrick Ciriacks wants more light and less heat.

He believes Jesus Christ can serve as the beacon to provide the only answer to healing the problems in the United States. 

“I am the co-founder of Unite Our Nation, which is led by the Holy Spirit to bring Jesus and his mother, Mary, to the streets of America through Eucharistic processions and patriotic rosaries,” Ciriacks told Wisconsin Catholic Tribune.

“It is not a political movement and does not promote, nor disparage any political candidate,” he said. “It does seek to bring God into the public square and to shine the light of truth into the darkness that has enveloped our society.”

Ciriacks teamed with Kevin O’Brien this summer to start Unite Our Nation after witnessing the pain and anger so evident in the country this year with public protests and, riots and peace so absent.

“Unite Our Nation, founded by the laity, 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,” he said. “We believe in the power of the Eucharist and the serenity of the rosary. In unison with our bishops and priests, we help the faithful plan processions throughout our country, as a balm to violence and fear.

“In addition we have adopted a creed: 'If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear them in heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14).'''

Ciriacks said he felt compelled to try to make a difference.

“I, like many, found myself sitting on the sidelines offering advice and criticism with no skin in the game,” he said. “At the same time my co-founder and president of Men of Christ, Kevin O’Brien, was experiencing the same feelings along with the anxiety and despair of his wife, Leslie, who woke up crying one morning wondering what was happening to the world and fearing for their children. Kevin called me and we kicked some ideas around and he asked me if I was ready to ‘get into the game.’

“That was all it took and three weeks later we held our first procession in Madison at the state capitol building,” Ciriacks said. “The event attracted over 2,000 people and featured the participation of Father Rick Heilman, Bishop Donald Hying and Archbishop Jerome Listecki.”

Unite Our Nation shows that ordinary people can make a difference, Ciriacks said, and they must.

“Too often the laity is guilty of waiting for the bishops or priests to act on their behalf,” he said. “This movement demonstrates that collaborative partnership between lay people and clergy can achieve great results in a spiritual sense. It’s a reminder to follow St. Augustine’s guidance to ‘pray as though it all depends on God and work as though it all depends on us.’”

Ciriacks said Catholics across the country are invited to join. Their voices and prayers are needed more than ever.

“Unite Our Nation is a beacon of hope to Catholics throughout the country at a time when people are feeling anxious and discouraged,” he said. “Eucharistic processions and praying of the rosary have great historical roots in resolving human issues including battles, wars and epidemics. For example, the praying of the rosary throughout Europe, as requested by Pope Pius V, is attributed to an outnumbered Catholic League navy soundly defeating the navy of the Ottoman Empire in the battle of Lepanto in 1571, preserving freedom for all of Europe. This incident is memorialized through the Oct. 7 Feast Day of Our Lady of the Rosary.”

Unite Our Nation is just getting started. Ciriacks said people are encouraged to join, and its website offers assistance in how to organize a group in the community.

“We are looking nationwide for people willing to lead or support a Eucharistic procession and rosary rally in their parish, city or state,” he said. “We have created a playbook and provide many marketing and organizing resources on our website www.UniteOurNation.net. All of the information is downloadable. In addition, groups can register their procession on the site and people can see what activity is taking place in their locale by searching our database.”