The Pope’s Monthly Intention
For children with incurable diseases: Let us pray that children suffering from incurable diseases and their families receive the necessary medical care and support, never losing strength and hope.
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Prayer to St Brigid • 1 February
A Naomh Bríd a Mhuire na nGael, scar orainn do bhrat.
A Naomh Bríd, a chroí na féile, stiúir sinn ar an mbóthar ceart.
A Naomh Bríd gheanúil ghrástúil, ar ár namhaid cosain sinn.
A Naomh Bríd, a bhean rialta álainn, ar uair ár mbáis glaoigh orainn.
(O Saint Brigid, our Lady of the Gaels, spread your banner over us.
O Saint Brigid, the heart of the festival, lead us on the right path.
O Saint Brigid, gracious and loving, protect us from our enemies.
O Saint Brigid, beautiful and royal lady, at the hour of our death call upon us.)
Blessing of Saint Brigid’s Crosses
Father of all creation and Lord of Light,
you have given us life and entrusted your creation to us to use it and to care for it.
We ask you to bless these crosses made of green rushes in memory of holy Brigid,
who used the cross to recall and to teach your Son’s life, death and resurrection. May these crosses be a sign of our sharing in the Paschal Mystery of your Son and a sign of your protection of our lives, our land and its creatures through Brigid’s intercession during the coming year and always. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
The crosses are sprinkled with holy water:
May the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be on these crosses and on the places where they hang and on everyone who looks at them. Amen.
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Prayer for an end to Human Trafficking • Sunday 8 February
O God, when we hear of children and adults deceived and taken to unknown places for purposes of sexual exploitation, forced labor, and organ ‘harvesting’ our hearts are saddened and our spirits angry that their dignity and rights are ignored through threats, lies, and force. We cry out against the evil practice of this modern slavery and pray with St Bakhita for it to end. Give us wisdom and courage to reach out and stand with those whose bodies, hearts and spirits have been so wounded, so that together we may make real your promises to fill these sisters and brothers with a love that is tender and good. Send the exploiters away empty-handed to be converted from this wickedness and help us all to claim the freedom that is your gift to your children. Amen.
Aptireland.org
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Day of Prayer for Victims of Abuse • 20 February
Lord, forgive us our many sins.
We grieve and repent with all our hearts for having offended you, for our great failings and neglect of the young and vulnerable.
We place all of those who have been hurt by the Church in any way into your loving hands and under the protection of Our Blessed Mother.
Lord, bring peace to their broken lives and show us all the way out of darkness and into the light of your Word.
May we as the people of God be more fully human, more fully Christ-like and more fully your people, that we may see the errors of the past and go forward with renewed hope and faith in Christ and in our Church. Amen.
AMRI
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