Day: November 16, 2018

(c) Mateo Ivankovic November 16, 2018 St. Margaret of Scotland St. Gertrude Dear Family of Mary! “…Anew I am calling you, my children: pray for your shepherds, pray that the love of my Son may lead them. Thank you.” (November 2, 2018) Our Lady has asked us over and over again to pray for our priests. As the events of this time unfold, we see why she has asked us to pray for them. Here are two prayers and a litany that we could use this weekend to pray for our priests. We need them and they need us. Let us pray: Lord Jesus, you have chosen Your priests among us and have sent them to proclaim Your Word and to act in Your Name. For such a great gift to Your Church, we praise You and we thank You. We ask that you fill them with the fire of Your love, that their ministry may reveal Your presence in the Church. Since they are earthen vessels, we pray that your power may work in their weakness. In their afflictions do not let them be crushed; in their doubts, do not let them despair; in temptation, do not let them be destroyed. Inspire them through prayer to live each day the mystery of your death and Resurrection. In times of weakness, send them Your Spirit and help them to praise your heavenly Father and to pray for poor sinners. With the same Holy Spirit place your word on their lips and your love in their hearts, that they may bring the Good News to the poor and revive the broken-hearted. Lastly, may the gift of Mary, your mother, to the disciple whom you loved, be your gift to every priest. Grant that she, who formed You in your human image, may form each priest in Your divine image, through the power of Your Spirit, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (Unknown Author) O my Jesus, I beg You on behalf of the whole Church: Grant it love and the light of Your Spirit and give power to the words of priests so that hardened hearts might be brought to repentance and return to You, O Lord. Lord, give us holy priests; You Yourself maintain them in holiness. O Divine and Great High Priest, may the power of Your mercy accompany them everywhere and protect them from the devil’s snares which are continually being set for the souls of priests. May the power of Your mercy, O Lord, shatter and bring to naught all that might tarnish the sanctity of priests, for You can do all things. – Prayer by St Faustina Litany for Priests Let us pray for the Holy Father: fill him with courage and grace, O Lord. Cardinals, archbishops, and bishops: give them a shepherd’s heart, O Lord. Diocesan priests: fill them with your Spirit, Lord. Priests in religious orders: perfect them in their calling, Lord. Priests who are ill: heal them, Lord. Priests who are in danger: deliver them, Lord. Priests who are weak: strengthen them, Lord. Priests who are poor: relieve them, Lord. Priests who have lost their zeal: renew them, Lord. Priests who are sad: console them, Lord. Priests who are worried: give them peace, Lord. Priest who are old: sustain them, Lord. Priests who are alone: accompany them, Lord. Missionary priests: protect them, Lord. Priests who are preachers: enlighten them, Lord. Priests who direct souls: instruct them, Lord. Priests and religious who have died: bring them to glory, Lord. For all priests: give them Your wisdom and knowledge. For all priests: give them Your understanding and counsel. For all priests: give them reverence and awe of You. For all priests: give them patience and love. For all priests: give them obedience and kindness. For all priests: give them a burning zeal for souls. For all priests: give them virtues of faith, hope and love. For all priests: give them an intense love for the Eucharist. For all priests: give them loyalty to the Holy Father and their Bishops. For all priests: give them respect for life and human dignity. For all priests: give them integrity and justice. For all priests: give them humility and generosity. For all priests: give them strength in their labors. For all priests: give them peace in their sufferings. For all priests: give them great love for the Trinity. For all priests: give them great love for Mary. For all priests: let them be the light of Christ. For all priests: let them be the salt of the earth. For all priests: let them practice sacrifice and self-denial. For all priests: let them be holy in body, mind and spirit. For all priests: let them be men of prayer. For all priests: may faith shine forth in them. For all priests: may they be concerned for our salvation. For all priests: may they be faithful to their priestly vocation. For all priests: may their hands bless and heal. For all priests: may they burn with love for you. For all priests: may all their steps be for the glory of God. For all priests: may the Holy Spirit fill them, and give them His gifts in abundance. Let us pray. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, hear the prayers we offer for our priests. Let them know clearly the work that You are calling them to do. Grant them every grace to answer Your call with courage, love, and lasting dedication to Your will.  We ask Mary’s intercession as their loving mother. Amen. In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan ©Mary TV