Gracious God. Hear this our prayer in these disturbing times.
We ask you to hear the sounds of those who are
gasping for each breath in hospitals, nursing homes
and old age facilities, and those suffering alone
on the streets of our cities and towns.
Reach out with your healing power
to those who are grieving the loss of loved ones.
Seventy years ago, if a person wanted to become a Catholic they attended “convert classes.” A priest usually gave weekly talks on the important Catholic dogmas and the Sacraments of the Church. Then the “converts” would be baptized, perhaps on a Sunday or perhaps not. The baptism would usually be celebrated separately from Mass.
O God, whose right hand raised up blessed Peter,
when he walked upon the water and began to sink,
and thrice delivered his fellow-Apostle Paul
from the depths of the sea, when he suffered
shipwreck: graciously hear us and grant,
by the merits of them both, that we also may attain
unto everlasting glory: Who lives and reigns world without end.
O my Jesus, You who are Love,
enkindle in my heart that Divine Fire
which consumes the Saints and transforms them into You.
Hail, Mother and Virgin,
Eternal Temple of the Godhead,
Venerable Treasure of Creation,
crown of virginity, support of the true faith,
on which the Church is founded throughout the world.
Keep us in peace, O Christ our God,
under the protection of Your holy and venerable Cross:
save us from enemies visible and invisible
and account us worthy to glorify You with thanksgiving,
together with the Father, and the Holy Spirit,
now and ever and world without end.
Amen.
Bless me, heavenly Father,
forgive my erring ways.
Grant me strength to serve You,
put purpose in my days.
Give me understanding,
enough to make me kind.
So I may judge all people
with my heart, not my mind.
Teach me to be patient
in everything I do,
Content to trust Your wisdom
and to follow after You.
Help me when I falter
O glorious Saint John the Baptist,
greatest prophet among those born of woman,
although you were sanctified in your mother's womb
and lead a most innocent life,
nevertheless it was your will
to retire into the wilderness,
there to devote yourself
to the practice of austerity and penance;
obtain for us of Our Lord
It is difficult to make sense of what is happening
in our world suffering from the virus.
We might be tempted to feel abandoned.
But give us the confidence, Lord,
that out of all this can come a deeper knowing
of your love and care for us.
Yes, we are vulnerable but may that vulnerability
open us to a deeper sense of your presence in our lives.
Dear Scholar and Martyr,
it was not the King of England
but you who were the true Defender of the Faith.
Like Christ unjustly condemned,
neither promises nor threats
could make you accept a civil ruler
as head of the Christian Church.
Perfect in your honesty and love of truth,
grant that lawyers and judges may imitate you
The Columbans are a society of missionaries, including priests and lay people, who minister to people of various cultures as a way of witnessing to the universal love of God.
We go in the name of the Church to announce, by deed and word, the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Missionary Society of St. Columban
1902 N. Calhoun
St. Columbans, NE 68056
Phone: 877-299-1920
Fax: 402-291-4984
email: mission@columban.org
