Bishop’s Prayer Breakfast
June 3, 2015
Prayer for the Laity, Clergy, and Religious and Monastics
By Joan Carr, Superintendent, Edmonton Catholic Schools
For the Laity: Our Holy Father shares that as lay people, our “Christian and episcopal vocation is to go against the tide, to be joyful witnesses of the risen Christ, so as to transmit joy and hope to others.”
Lord, help us, your lay people, to assume our “proper responsibilities from the political to the social; from the economic to the legislative.” Grant us the strength and courage to speak out against injustice, and to live the simplicity of your message in an increasingly complex society. Enkindle in our hearts the fire of your love and help us to spread the joy of the Gospel to the world.
For the Clergy: Lord, you have called Pope Francis to preside over the Church in charity; sustain him in his ministry of service to the communion of the episcopal college and the entire People of God.
We pray for the Eparchial and Basilian Clergy of our Church, as well as all their brother priests, as they faithfully follow their shepherd: that the Spirit of the Lord may enlighten their minds so that the Church might respond, in faithfulness to God’s plan, and to the challenges facing the family.
Bless, in a special way, the families of married clergy with peace, gentleness and mutual love. Following the example of the Holy Family of Nazareth, make their homes communities of prayer, life, and love, and help them in their special vocation of service to the Church.
For the Religious and Monastics: We pray for the religious communities of the Basilian Fathers and Brothers and Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate, that those in religious life may receive the confidence and grace to live the bold and noble path of a life consecrated to you.
Lord, bless these brothers and sisters, workers in the vineyard, as they journey into the fields to realize the harvest of tomorrow and prove their love, not measuring time, but noting the joy of service to others.
Let us conclude with Pope Francis’ Prayer to the Holy Family:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, in you we contemplate the splendor of true love, to you we turn with trust.
Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that our families too may be places of communion and prayer, authentic schools of the Gospel and small domestic Churches.
Holy Family of Nazareth: May families never again experience violence, rejection and division: May all who have been hurt or scandalized find ready comfort and healing.
Holy Family of Nazareth, may the approaching Synod of Bishops make us once more mindful of the sacredness and inviolability of the family, and its beauty in God’s plan.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, graciously hear our prayer.
God, you never forsake the work of your hands, hear our prayer; send the Spirit of your Son to enlighten the Church, so that contemplating the splendor of true love which shines forth in the laity, the clergy, and the religious and monastics, she might learn the freedom and obedience to respond with boldness and mercy to the challenges of today’s world; through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (+). Amen.
Once again, Your Excellency, thank you so much for the honor of participating in your prayers today. Edmonton Catholic Schools Treasures our relationship with the Eparchy of Edmonton!
May God’s blessings be abundant on all those gathered here in the name of the family.
Source: Edmonton Eparchy
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