The Pope’s Monthly Intention
For our relationship with all of creation: Let us pray that, inspired by Saint Francis, we might experience our interdependence with all creatures who are loved by God and worthy of love and respect.
* * *
Celtic Prayers
Dear Lord, Give me a few friends who will love me for what I am, and keep ever burning before my vagrant steps the kindly light of hope… And though I come not within sight of the castle of my dreams, teach me to be thankful for life, and for time’s olden memories that are good and sweet. And may the evening’s twilight find me gentle still.
Bless those minding cattle, And those minding sheep, And those fishing the sea While the rest of us sleep.
May the rains sweep gentle across your fields, May the sun warm the land, May every good seed you have planted bear fruit, And late summer find you standing in fields of plenty.
And if God sends you down a stony path, may he give you strong shoes.
* * *
A blessing for Creation
Bless us, @ in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. As we go forth with joy and hope to care for God’s creation, – walking gently on the earth, – in right relationship, – nurtured by your Love, – taking only what we need, – giving back to the earth in gratitude, – honouring all with reverence, – reconciling and healing, – mindful of those who will come after, and of the poor today – recognising our proper place as part of, not apart from, your creation. Ignite your Spark within us, That we may know ourselves as truly human and irrevocably part of the Web of Life (LS)
catholicbishops.ie
* * *
Pope St Gregory the Great • Feast 3 September
‘If we knew at what time we were to depart from this world, we would be able to select a season for pleasure and another for repentance. But God, who has promised pardon to every repentant sinner, has not promised us tomorrow. Therefore we must always dread the final day, which we can never foresee.
This VERY DAY is a day of truce, a day for conversion. And yet we refuse to cry over the evil we have done! Not only do we not weep for the sins we have committed, we even add to them…’
* * *
Healing prayer of St Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) Feast day 23 September
Heavenly Father, I thank you for loving me. I thank you for sending your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, to the world to save and to set me free. I trust in your power and grace that sustain and restore me. Loving Father, touch me now with your healing hands, for I believe that your will is for me to be well in mind, body, soul and spirit. Cover me with the most precious blood of your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ from the top of my head to the soles of my feet. Cast anything that should not be in me. Root out any unhealthy and abnormal cells. Open any blocked arteries or veins and rebuild and replenish any damaged areas. Remove all inflammation and cleanse any infection by the power of Jesus’ precious blood. Let the fire of your healing love pass through my entire body to heal and make new any diseased areas so that my body will function the way you created it to function. Touch also my mind and my emotion, even the deepest recesses of my heart. Saturate my entire being with your presence, love, joy and peace and draw me ever closer to you every moment of my life. And Father, fill me with your Holy Spirit and empower me to do your works so that my life will bring glory and honour to your holy name. I ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
* * *
Prayer for Day for Migrants and Refugees • 28 September
God, Almighty Father, we are your pilgrim Church journeying towards the Kingdom of heaven.
Do not let us become possessive of the portion of the world you have given us as a temporary home.
Help us to keep walking, together with our refugee and migrant brothers and sisters, toward the eternal dwelling you have prepared for us.
Open our eyes and our hearts so that every encounter with those in need becomes an encounter with Jesus, your Son and our Lord,
Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
stjohnskilkenny.com