Apostleship of Prayer

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

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.

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

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

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

Pope Benedict’s last encyclical letter to us was about Hope. Clearly he feels that in the dark and often hopeless times in which we live, we desperately need this virtue. His General Intention for April is another expression of this as he asks us to join him in praying that Christians may not tire of proclaiming with their lives that Christ’s resurrection is the source of hope and peace. Let us pray with Pope Benedict and a great contemporary witness to hope, Archbishop Michael Sabbah of Jerusalem, by reflecting on the Archbishop’s Easter Sunday homily.

Brothers and Sisters, Christ is risen. Yes, right here, this tomb that we venerate witnessed the events that have been transmitted to us by our faith. Here, the empty tomb, in front of which we celebrate Easter this morning, testifies to our faith. It testifies to God’s love for all of humanity. With the entire Church, we renew our faith and we proclaim that Christ rose here. Yes, He is truly risen. We pray in this Eucharist for Christians, for Muslims, and for Jews, for all religions and for our two peoples, Palestinian and Israeli. We pray so that the hope of the Resurrection might revive and renew the hearts of all, and fill them with the mystery of God and of his love. …

Look up to heaven, contemplate Christ who died and resurrected, in order to learn how to die and resurrect each day and each moment and in order to give new hope to this land. Chosen people, your vocation is the same one that Jesus had: to give new life to the world, but first of all to yourselves…. We are witnesses of the Resurrection, said Saint Peter to the crowd after Pentecost. Like him, here, in this very place, we are witnesses of the Resurrection, in order to give new hope and to maintain this hope in everyone, despite all the evil of the people who destroy this land. Let us pray, my brothers and sisters, so that the Resurrection of the Lord will enable all of us to give new life to our land and to all those with whom we are called to live. With the Psalmist we proclaim our hope: “God will deliver my soul” (Ps 49:16) and deliver our land.

Today’s Readings: Acts 9:31-42; Psalm 116:12-17; John 6:60-69

St. Stanislaus, the Bishop of Krakow, excommunicated King Boleslaus II of Poland for his injustices, cruelty, and immoral life style. The King saw this as treason and on April 11, 1079, while the Bishop was celebrating Mass, he entered the church and killed him with a sword. Nine hundred years later Pope John Paul II, who had been Archbishop of Krakow, returned to his native land for the first time after being elected Pope in order to celebrate the anniversary. As we reflect on his homily at that time, let us pray that the resurrection may not only give us hope but also courage as we strive to make good decisions and live moral lives.

Every person goes forward. He or she goes forward towards the future. Nations also go forward. So does all humanity. To go forward, however, does not only mean to endure the exigencies of time, continuously leaving behind the past: yesterday, the years, the centuries. To go forward also means being aware of the goal. … The words that Christ spoke in his farewell to the Apostles express the mystery of human history, the history of every person and of all persons, the mystery of the history of humanity. Baptism in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is an immersion into the living God, into “Him who is” as the Book of Genesis puts it; into “Him who was, who is, and who will be” according to the Book of Revelation (1:4). Baptism is the beginning of an encounter, of a unity, of a communion for which earthly life is merely a preface, an introduction. The fulfillment and completion belong to eternity.

All of life which opens up in view of this sacrament assumes the aspect of a great and fundamental test: a test of faith and of character. St. Stanislaus has become, in the spiritual history of the Polish people, the patron of this great and fundamental test of faith and of character. In this sense we honor him also as the patron of the Christian moral order. In the final analysis the moral order is built up by means of human beings. This order consists of a large number of tests, each one a test of faith and of character. From every victorious test the moral order is built up. From every failed test moral disorder grows. We know very well from our entire history that we must not permit, absolutely and at whatever cost, this disorder.

You must be strong, dear brothers and sisters. You must be strong with the strength that comes from faith. Today more than in any other age you need this strength. You must be strong with the strength of hope, hope that brings the perfect joy of life and does not allow us to grieve the Holy Spirit.

Today’s Readings: Acts 9:1-20; Psalm 117:1bc, 2; John 6:52-59