Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On this Veterans Day, we pause as a diocesan family to offer our profound gratitude to the men and women who have courageously served our nation in the Armed Forces.
To our veterans here in Rhode Island and beyond: we owe you a debt of gratitude that can never be fully repaid. Your willingness to sacrifice your own comfort, safety, and time with loved ones to defend our freedom is a powerful reflection of Christ’s words: "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends" (John 15:13).
We also extend our deepest appreciation to your families. The burdens of military service are shared heavily by spouses, children, and parents who endure the anxieties of separation and the challenges of transitions. Your quiet resilience and devotion are also a vital service to our country.
As we honor your service, please know that all of us in the Diocese of Providence hold you in our prayers. We ask Our Lady of Providence to wrap you in her mantle of peace, and we pray that Our Lord grants you and your families abundant health, strength, and comfort.
May God bless our veterans and their families always.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Bruce Lewandowski, C.Ss.R.
Bishop of Providence
