Apostleship of Prayer » Papal Visit

Fifth Sunday of Easter

jrutchik — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 03:17:26 +0000

Today is the last day of the Holy Father’s visit to the U.S. At 9:30 AM he will visit and pray at Ground Zero, site of the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001. He will meet with families and friends who lost loved ones on that tragic day. At 2:30 PM he will celebrate Mass at Yankee Stadium and celebrate the 200th anniversary of the designation of Baltimore as an Archdiocese and the creation of the four Dioceses of Boston, New York, Bardstown (Louisville), and Philadelphia. Let us once more pray for his safety and well-being. May he bring comfort to those who lost loved ones in the terrorist attack and speak a message of reconciliation and peace to our nation. May he have a safe journey back to Rome this evening.

Father, we pray for your protection and guidance over our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. Give him strength and wisdom to stand as a prophet for our times. May he be a light in darkness around which we gather in hope. We ask you to bring about reconciliation through his faithful teaching of peace and justice. Grant him compassion and care to live the gospel in love and service to all people. Let him follow in the path of Peter and Paul who, filled with the Holy Spirit, preached that the Lord saves all who call upon his name. May the words he has spoken during his visit to our country and to the United Nations be pondered with receptivity so that all may come to know better your plan for humanity. You want us all to come to know Your love and desire that all people share in the Risen Life of Your Son and enter into His Kingdom. May Your Holy Spirit enlighten the hearts of all people so that they may know the truth of human existence and embrace it. May all people come to know, in the words of St. Augustine, that “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” Amen.

Today’s Readings: Acts 6:1-7; Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19; 1 Peter 2:4-9; John 14:1-12

A Prayer For Our Pope

jrutchik — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 03:35:45 +0000

Today is the third anniversary of Pope Benedict’s election to the Chair of St. Peter. He will celebrate Mass at 9:15 AM with priests, deacons, and consecrated religious at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Then at 4:30 PM he will meet with thousands of young people and hundreds of seminarians at St. Joseph Seminary in Yonkers. The following prayer is from the “Manuel of Prayers” used by the seminarians at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. It may be prayed individually or in a group.

Leader: Let us pray for Benedict XVI, the Pope.
Group: May the Lord preserve him, give him a long life, make him blessed upon the earth, and may the Lord not hand him over to the power of his enemies.Leader: May your hand be upon your holy servant.
Group: And upon your son whom you have anointed.

Let us pray. O God, the Pastor and Ruler of all the faithful, look down, in your mercy, upon your servant, Pope Benedict XVI, whom you have appointed to preside over your Church; and grant, we beseech you, that both by word and example, he may edify all those under his charge; so that, with the flock entrusted to him, he may arrive at length unto life everlasting. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Today’s Readings: Acts 13:44-52; Psalm 98:1-4; John 14:7-14

APRIL 18, 2008 – POPE BENEDICT IN NEW YORK

jrutchik — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 03:29:09 +0000

This year we are celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations and today Pope Benedict will travel to New York City where, at 10:45 AM, he will address the world at the United Nations. As Apostles of Prayer we are committed to praying for the Holy Father and his intentions. Surely he is depending upon us in a special way at this time. Then, at 6 PM he will celebrate an ecumenical prayer service with other Christian leaders at St. Joseph’s Church in Manhattan. Joseph is Pope Benedict’s baptismal name and St. Joseph was proclaimed the Patron of the Universal Church by Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1870. Let us pray today for Pope Benedict and our Church with a prayer that was officially approved by the Church in 1885.

O blessed Joseph, on whom God bestowed the name and dignity of foster-father of Jesus; and gave Mary ever Virgin to be your most pure spouse; head of the Holy Family on earth; finally chosen by the Vicar of Christ as Patron and Protector of the Universal Church established by the Lord Jesus Christ, with the greatest confidence I implore for that same Church militant on earth, your most powerful assistance. Keep, I beseech you, in the special care of that paternal love with which you burn forever, the Roman Pontiff, all bishops and priests united to the See of Peter. Be the defender of all who labor for the salvation of souls among the sorrows and trials of this life. Bring all peoples of their own free will to submit themselves to the Church, which is everywhere the necessary means of salvation. Accept, most holy Joseph, the offering of myself, whole and entire, which I make to you, freely and willingly. I consecrate myself wholly to you, to be always my father, protector, and leader in the way of salvation. Obtain for me exceeding great cleanliness of heart, and a burning love of the interior life. Grant that, following your footsteps, I may direct all my actions to the greater glory of God, in union with the love of the Divine Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of the Virgin Mary. Finally, pray that I may share in the peace and joy that was yours in your most holy death. Amen.

Today’s Readings: Acts 13:26-33; Psalm 2:6-11ab; John 14:1-6

APRIL 17, 2008 – PRAYERS FOR THE HOLY FATHER

jrutchik — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 03:21:05 +0000

Pope Benedict continues his visit to the U.S. with several very important meetings and addresses today. At 10 AM he will celebrate Mass with tens of thousands of people at the new Washington Nationals Stadium. Again we pray that the words of his homily may fall like seeds on the good soil of all those who will listen to or read them. Then at 5 PM he will meet with the presidents of more than 200 Catholic colleges and universities and the superintendents of education from the 195 dioceses. This is being seen as a key opportunity for the Holy Father to address the issues facing Catholic education in our country. Finally, at 6:30 PM he will meet with Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist leaders and representatives from other religions. This will be an important address not only for inter-religious dialogue and cooperation in this country but also in the world. Given the often negative responses to the Holy Father from representatives of some of these religions, and given the lack of true religious freedom in many countries where some of these religions are a majority, his address will be closely followed by people everywhere. Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will touch the minds and hearts of all people to whom the Holy Father speaks today.

Father, by the light of the Holy Spirit You have taught the hearts of Your faithful. In the same Spirit, help all people to know what is truly right and always to follow His guidance. Help all Catholic educators to know the infinite value of the souls placed in their care and to do everything possible to help them on their earthly journey to heaven. Touch the hearts of the people who do not know You or accept You. May they be inspired always by Your Holy Spirit to seek the truth and to practice it in love. May the religions of the world never perpetrate violent acts in the name of God. May they seek rather the peace and well-being of peoples, nations, and individuals as You desire. For You did not create us for death but for eternal life in Your Kingdom. May all people come to know You and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. May Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

Today’s Readings: Acts 13:13-25; Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25, 27; John 13:16-20

APRIL 16, 2008 – ST. BERNADETTE SOUBIROUS (1844-1879)

jrutchik — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 03:17:46 +0000

St. Bernadette, to whom the Blessed Mother appeared at Lourdes, is remembered on this day though her feast is not celebrated in the universal calendar of the Church. She is a saint not because she received visions, but because of her holiness of life which involved carrying a cross of misunderstanding and physical suffering. Our Lady herself told her: “I do not promise you happiness in this world, but in the next.” During this year we have been celebrating the 150th anniversary of the apparitions at Lourdes, when Mary revealed herself to the fourteen year old Bernadette as the “Immaculate Conception.”

Today is Pope Benedict’s 81st birthday; let us thank God for his life and service of the Church. He will celebrate Mass this morning at the residence of the Apostolic Nuncio. At 10:30 AM he will meet privately with President Bush and give a major address in his presence. This is only the second time in history that a pope has visited the White House. He will have lunch with the U.S. Cardinals and then at 5:30 PM will celebrate Vespers with the Bishops of the U.S. at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of our nation, and then address them. Let us pray today that our nation and our Church may listen carefully to the Holy Father’s words and respond generously to them. Our prayer is from the consecration prayer used in 1959 for the dedication of the National Basilica and Shrine.

Most Holy Trinity: Our Father in heaven, who chose Mary as the fairest of Your daughters; Holy Spirit, who chose Mary as Your spouse; God the Son, who chose Mary as Your mother; in union with Mary, we adore Your majesty and acknowledge Your supreme, eternal dominion and authority.Most Holy Trinity, we put the United States of America into the hands of Mary Immaculate in order that she may present the country to You. Through her we wish to thank You for the great resources of this land and for the freedom, which has been its heritage. Through the intercession of Mary, have mercy on the Catholic Church in America. Grant us peace. Have mercy on our president and on all the officers of our government. Grant us a fruitful economy born of justice and charity. Have mercy on capital and industry and labor. Protect the family life of the nation. Guard the precious gift of many religious vocations. Through the intercession of our mother, have mercy on the sick, the poor, the tempted, sinners – on all who are in need.

Today’s Readings: Acts 12:24-3:5a; Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8; John 12:44-50

The Pope Arrives!

jrutchik — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:42:23 +0000

Around 4 PM (Eastern Time) Pope Benedict will arrive at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, D.C. Thus will begin his first visit as pope to the United States. We will depart during the coming days from our usual focus on the Holy Father’s monthly intentions to pray in a special way for him, his safety and well-being during this visit, and for our nation, that we may be open to the words he brings us. As the Risen Jesus told the apostles to be at peace and opened the Scriptures to them, so may we be open to the words of the Vicar of Christ. The following prayer is from the Knights of Columbus.

Almighty Father, who pours forth blessings in abundance upon us, we humbly pray that you will inspire, guide and protect Pope Benedict XVI on his pastoral visit to the United States. Lord God, bless our Holy Father who comes as a messenger of peace and charity to all people of faith and good will. May his presence in the United States serve to build up the bonds that unite us who are each made in your image and likeness, and may his teaching and witness strengthen the faith of the People of God. Father, we lovingly entrust Pope Benedict’s visit to the care of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Queen of the Americas. Through her prayers may he be preserved from all harm, and may he shine forth with the truth of the Gospel that he proclaims, and may his presence among us foster a renewal of the Church in our country. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Today’s Readings: Acts 11:19-26; Psalm 87:1b-7; John 10:22-30

Prayers For Our Pope

jrutchik — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:21:17 +0000

We enter upon a new month with new intentions and a special reason to support the Holy Father with our prayers: from April 15-20 he will be visiting the United States. As we prepare for his visit let us make an extra effort to lift him up in prayer, to ask God to protect him and keep him safe. Let us also pray that the Church in the U.S., all citizens of the U.S., the delegates at the United Nations, and all people may be receptive to the message he will bring.

In his General Intention this month Pope Benedict has asked us to pray that Christians may not tire of proclaiming with their lives that Christ’s resurrection is the source of hope and peace. It is not enough for us to profess our faith in the resurrection of Jesus when we pray the Creed at Mass or at the beginning of the Rosary. Words are not enough. Our words, our belief must take flesh in the way we lead our lives. Our lives must witness to the world that the hope for peace is not some empty dream. Because Jesus triumphed over sin and death through His resurrection, His power makes peace possible. But we must turn to Him and place all our hopes in Him.

And for his Mission Intention this month the Holy Father asks us to pray with him that the future priests of the “young Churches”, those dioceses in mission lands, may be formed to evangelize their nations and the whole world. May seminarians be filled with great zeal and a desire to share the riches of Christ with all people.

Our prayer is from William G. Storey’s A Prayer Book of Catholic Devotions (Loyola Press):

Lord Jesus Christ, you were fastened with nails to the wood of the cross and raised on high for all to see. As the sun grew dark and the earth quaked, you surrendered your spirit to your Father, descended among the dead, broke open the gates of hell, and freed those bound in darkness. As angel choirs rejoiced, you were raised to life again on the third day, mastering death by your own death, and canceling the power of sin. By these mighty deeds on our behalf, rescue us from our blindness and tepidity, inspire us anew by your Holy Spirit, and lead us into a life of prayer and service worthy of your awesome sacrifice, O Savior of the world, living and reigning, now and forever. Amen.

Todays Readings: Acts 4:32-37; Psalm 93: 1-2, 5; John 3:7b-15