Apostleship of Prayer

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

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

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

In our Mission Intention this month we are praying for the future priests in mission countries, that they may be formed to evangelize their nations and indeed the entire world. Such formation means that each seminarian will grow in an intimate relationship with God. Out of prayer and holiness arise the desire to evangelize, to share the Gospel of God’s love with others. As we pray for this, we reflect once more on Pope Benedict’s Message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations which was celebrated yesterday.

In the beginning, and thereafter, what “impels” the Apostles (2 Corinthians 5: 14) is always “the love of Christ”. Innumerable missionaries, throughout the centuries, as faithful servants of the Church, docile to the action of the Holy Spirit, have followed in the footsteps of the first disciples. The Second Vatican Council notes: “Although every disciple of Christ, as far in him lies, has the duty of spreading the faith, Christ the Lord always calls whomever he will from among the number of his disciples, to be with him and to be sent by him to preach to the nations [Mark 3: 13-15]” (Decree Ad Gentes #23). In fact, the love of Christ must be communicated to the brothers by example and words, with all one’s life. My venerable predecessor John Paul II wrote: “The special vocation of missionaries ‘for life’ retains all its validity: it is the model of the Church’s missionary commitment, which always stands in need of radical and total self-giving, of new and bold endeavors”. (Encyclical Redemptoris Missio #66)Among those totally dedicated to the service of the Gospel, are priests, called to preach the word of God, administer the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation, committed to helping the lowly, the sick, the suffering, the poor, and those who experience hardship in areas of the world where there are, at times, many who still have not had a real encounter with Jesus Christ. Missionaries announce for the first time to these people Christ’s redemptive love. Statistics show that the number of baptized persons increases every year thanks to the pastoral work of these priests, who are wholly consecrated to the salvation of their brothers and sisters. … Let us thank God for all the priests who have suffered even to the sacrifice of their lives in order to serve Christ … Theirs is a moving witness that can inspire many young people to follow Christ and to expend their lives for others, and thus to discover true life” (Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis #26).

Today’s Readings: Acts 11:1-18; Psalm 42:2-3, 43:3-4; John 10:11-18

Today is the World Day of Prayer for Vocations and the theme Pope Benedict has chosen for it is “Vocations at the Service of the Church on Mission.” As we pray for religious and priestly vocations today, let us also remember our monthly Mission Intention that the future priests of mission lands may be formed to evangelize their nations and the entire world. Our reflection is from Pope Benedict’s Message for today.

The Risen Jesus gave to the Apostles this command: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19), assuring them: “I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Matthew 28: 20). The Church is missionary in herself and in each one of her members. Through the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, every Christian is called to bear witness and to announce the Gospel, but this missionary dimension is associated in a special and intimate way with the priestly vocation. … Jesus already in his public life, while preaching in Galilee, chose some disciples to be his close collaborators in the messianic ministry. … He was moved to compassion for the people, because while visiting cities and villages, he found the crowds weary and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9: 36). From this gaze of love came the invitation to his disciples: “Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9: 38), and he sent the Twelve initially “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” with precise instructions.

If we pause to meditate on this passage of Matthew’s Gospel, commonly called the “missionary discourse”, we may take note of those aspects which distinguish the missionary activity of a Christian community, eager to remain faithful to the example and teaching of Jesus. To respond to the Lord’s call means facing in prudence and simplicity every danger and even persecutions, since “a disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master” (Matthew 10: 24). Having become one with their Master, the disciples are no longer alone as they announce the Kingdom of heaven; Jesus himself is acting in them: “He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me” (Matthew 10: 40). Furthermore, as true witnesses, “clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24: 49), they preach “repentance and the forgiveness of sins” (Luke 24: 47) to all peoples.

Todays Readings: Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Psalm 23:1-6; 1 Peter 2:20b-25; John 10:1-10

Praying in a particular way for Pope Benedict’s General Intention, we conclude our reading of his “Urbi et Orbi” Easter Message.

How often relations between individuals, between groups and between peoples are marked not by love but by selfishness, injustice, hatred and violence! These are the scourges of humanity, open and festering in every corner of the planet, although they are often ignored and sometimes deliberately concealed; wounds that torture the souls and bodies of countless of our brothers and sisters. They are waiting to be tended and healed by the glorious wounds of our Risen Lord (1 Peter 2:24-25) and by the solidarity of people who, following in his footsteps, perform deeds of charity in his name, make an active commitment to justice, and spread luminous signs of hope in areas bloodied by conflict and wherever the dignity of the human person continues to be scorned and trampled. It is hoped that these are precisely the places where gestures of moderation and forgiveness will increase!

Dear brothers and sisters! Let us allow the light that streams forth from this solemn day to enlighten us; let us open ourselves in sincere trust to the risen Christ, so that his victory over evil and death may also triumph in each one of us, in our families, in our cities and in our nations. Let it shine forth in every part of the world. In particular, how can we fail to remember certain African regions, such as Darfur and Somalia, the tormented Middle East, especially the Holy Land, Iraq, Lebanon, and finally Tibet, all of whom I encourage to seek solutions that will safeguard peace and the common good! Let us invoke the fullness of his Paschal gifts, through the intercession of Mary who, after sharing the sufferings of the passion and crucifixion of her innocent Son, also experienced the inexpressible joy of his resurrection. Sharing in the glory of Christ, may she be the one to protect us and guide us along the path of fraternal solidarity and peace.

Today’s Readings: Acts 8:26-40; Psalm 66:8-9, 16-17, 20; John 6:44-51

Pope Benedict has asked us to pray with him this month that Christians may not grow tired of proclaiming with their lives that Christ’s resurrection is the source of our hope and peace. In fact, Jesus, who revealed the love of God most clearly through His death on a cross and whose resurrection shows that death is not the end of human existence, is the world’s only hope and peace. We continue to pray with the Holy Father as we reflect on his “Urbi et Orbi” Message of Easter Sunday.

Dear Christian brothers and sisters in every part of the world, dear men and women whose spirit is sincerely open to the truth, let no heart be closed to the omnipotence of this redeeming love! Jesus Christ died and rose for all; he is our hope – true hope for every human being. Today, just as he did with his disciples in Galilee before returning to the Father, the risen Jesus now sends us everywhere as witnesses of his hope, and he reassures us: I am with you always, all days, until the end of the world (Matthew 28:20). Fixing the gaze of our spirit on the glorious wounds of his transfigured body, we can understand the meaning and value of suffering, we can tend the many wounds that continue to disfigure humanity in our own day. In his glorious wounds we recognize the indestructible signs of the infinite mercy of the God of whom the prophet says: it is he who heals the wounds of broken hearts, who defends the weak and proclaims the freedom of slaves, who consoles all the afflicted and bestows upon them the oil of gladness instead of a mourning robe, a song of praise instead of a sorrowful heart (Isaiah 61:1-3). If with humble trust we draw near to him, we encounter in his gaze the response to the deepest longings of our heart: to know God and to establish with him a living relationship in an authentic communion of love, which can fill our lives, our interpersonal and social relations with that same love. For this reason, humanity needs Christ: in him, our hope, “we have been saved” (Romans 8:24).

Today’s Readings: Acts 8:1b-8; Psalm 66:1-3a, 4-7a; John 6:35-40

For the next three days, as we pray that we and all Christians may be living proclamations of Christ’s resurrection, we will reflect on Pope Benedict’s Easter Message.

“I have risen and I am still with you, forever.” These words invite us to contemplate the risen Christ, letting his voice resound in our heart. With his redeeming sacrifice, Jesus of Nazareth has made us adopted children of God, so that we too can now take our place in the mysterious dialogue between him and the Father. We are reminded of what he once said to those who were listening: “All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him” (Matthew 11:27). In this perspective, we note that the words addressed by the risen Jesus to the Father on this day – “I am still with you, forever” – apply indirectly to us as well, “children of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” (Romans 8:17). Through the death and resurrection of Christ, we too rise to new life today, and uniting our voice with his, we proclaim that we wish to remain forever with God, our infinitely good and merciful Father. In this way we enter the depths of the Paschal mystery. The astonishing event of the resurrection of Jesus is essentially an event of love: the Father’s love in handing over his Son for the salvation of the world; the Son’s love in abandoning himself to the Father’s will for us all; the Spirit’s love in raising Jesus from the dead in his transfigured body. And there is more: the Father’s love which “newly embraces” the Son, enfolding him in glory; the Son’s love returning to the Father in the power of the Spirit, robed in our transfigured humanity. From today’s solemnity, in which we relive the absolute, once-and-for-all experience of Jesus’ resurrection, we receive an appeal to be converted to Love; we receive an invitation to live by rejecting hatred and selfishness, and to follow with docility in the footsteps of the Lamb that was slain for our salvation, to imitate the Redeemer who is “gentle and lowly in heart”, who is “rest for our souls” (Matthew 11:29).

Today’s Readings: Acts 7:51-8:1a; Psalm 31:3cd-4, 6, 7b, 8a, 17, 21ab

Here are Pope Benedict XVI’s intentions for the upcoming month. For monthly reflections and related Scripture passages, visit our website.

Proclamation of the Resurrection. That Christians may not tire of proclaiming with their lives that Christ’s resurrection is the source of hope and peace.

Future Priests. That the future priests of the young Churches may be formed to evangelize their nations and the whole world.

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