Lord Jesus, in your Eucharist
make Christian spouses the "signs" of
your nuptial love among us: make
families communities of people who,
living in dialogue with God and each other,
do not fear life and become responsible
or sowing the seeds of priestly, religious
and missionary vocations.
Lord Jesus, from your alter
illuminate our communities with light and grace,
so that it may reject the seduction of a materialistic conception of life,
and defeat the selfishness that threatens it,
the injustices that upset it,
and the divisions with which it is afflicted.
Lord God, for a long time,
I disregarded brothers and sisters;
Neither did I show respect
for the earth and all of Your Creation.
These days, by Your abundant grace and blessings;
I have time and attention for the sisters and brothers
who live in poverty.
Blessed are you, Father,
who, in your infinite love,
gave us your only-begotten Son.
By the power of the Holy Spirit,
he became incarnate
in the spotless womb of the Virgin Mary
and was born in Bethlehem two thousand years ago.
He became our companion on life's path
and gave new meaning to our history,
the journey we make together
Why visit the prisoners? It seems that it would be a fearful activity to engage in. Columban Sister Joan Sawyer bravely looked that fear in the face and visited prisoners. Eventually, she lost her life in an uprising in a Peruvian prison. May her courageous life inspire many others to follow her example.
By your grace, O Father,
may we experience a time of deep conversion
and of joyful return to you.
May it be a time of reconciliation between people,
and of peace restored among nations,
a time when swords are beaten into ploughshares
and the clash of arms
gives way to songs of peace.
Father, grant that we may live this year
O Mary, bright dawn of the new world,
grant that all who believe in your Son
may proclaim the Gospel of life
with honesty and love
to the people of our time.
Obtain for them the grace
to accept that Gospel
as a gift ever new,
the joy of celebrating it with gratitude
throughout their lives
In 2012, while I was working in a parish among the aboriginal people called Atayal in the mountains of Taiwan, we organized a pilgrimage to the northern Philippines (where I am originally from) as part of the celebration of the parish's 50th foundation anniversary.
O God,on this day
You teach the hearts of Your faithful people
by the light of Your Holy Spirit.
Grant us by the same Spirit
a right judgment in all things
and ever to rejoice in His consolations.
Purify us from every stain of sin
and save our souls,
O gracious Lord.
Mother of the Redeemer,
we entrust to you the Church
which acknowledges you
and invokes you as Mother.
To you, Mother of the human family
and of the nations,
we confidently entrust the whole of humanity,
with its hopes and fears.
Do not let it lack the light of true wisdom.
Guide its steps in the ways of peace.