If you like, you can join me in what has ceased to be a novena, continuing as it has longer than nine days. (Note to my Official Fact Checker: how does one do a novena until some indefinite event comes true?) It is to Patrick, "that most versatile of saints," as I heard him referred to wonderfully in a novel recently, and Mary, the two most usually invoked saints in the other country of which I am a citizen.

Mary and Patrick, I pray you will ask God to stay the hands of the terrorists, and cause their plans to be interfered with or revealed or frustrated. At all events, I pray that the innocent who are the target of this evil will be protected, and that a just and lasting peace will soon come upon us.

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

It's cheaper than duct tape and plastic sheeting, and certanly at least as effective. (Also, note to Kathy the Carmelite: though, ironically, Alberta might have had less need of duct tape, it probably would have been much easier to obtain.) Start the day with that, a prayer handing the coming day over to Christ, and an act of contrition and, really, what can they do to you?