Help me, dear Lord,
to really believe that Christian love is the greatest power in the world.
Let me see that this is not an emotion,
but a central attitude of one's being,
an attitude of service for others in Your Name.
It is the result of your grace,
and prompts us to will only good things for others as images of God.
I beseech you,
O Lord Jesus Christ,
that the Blessed Virgin Mary,
whose most holy soul was pierced
in the hour of your Passion
by the sword of sorrow,
may intercede for us
with Your mercy now
and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
At the rising of Your sun
Lord God, Creator of light,
at the rising of Your sun each morning,
let the greatest of all lights, Your love,
rise, like the sun, within my heart.
O everlasting and loving God,
I consecrate myself wholly to Your today.
Lt all my days offer you ceaseless praise,
my hands move to the rhythm of Your impulses,
my feet be swift in Your service,
my voice sing constantly of You,
my lips proclaim Your message,
my eyes perceive You everywhere,
and my ears be attuned to your inspirations.
Sweet Child Mary,
destined to be the Mother of God
and our sovereign and loving Mother,
by the prodigies of grace you lavish upon us,
mercifully listen to my humble requests.
In the needs which press upon me from every side
and especially in my present tribulation,
I place all my trust in you.
God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world:
peace in the hearts of all men and women
and peace among the nations of the earth.
Turn to your way of love
those who’s hearts and minds
are consumed with hatred.
It is interesting to watch those television programs that deal with people passing through customs as they return from holidays or family visits abroad. In spite of very clear information regarding what is allowed to bring back from holidays and visits to family abroad, it is surprising how many people return with prohibited foodstuffs.
Columban history in the Japan mission is behind this stained glass window of the Risen Christ. In 1979, the architect of the new headquarters for the then almost 100 Columbans in Japan commissioned stained glass artist Hideo Matsuda to create Stations of the Cross for the new chapel. Hideo Matsuda has just returned from France and this was his first work in Japan.
Show us, we beg You, O Lord,
in Your clemency,
Your unspeakable mercy,
that You may both cleanse us from all our sins,
and deliver us from the punishments which they have deserved.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns
world without end.
Amen.
O Holy Child,
by the privileges granted to you alone
and by the merits which you have acquired,
be merciful to me this day.
Show that the source of spiritual favors
and the continuous benefits
which you dispense are inexhaustible,
because your power with the Heart of God is unlimited.