In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
"In truth I tell you once again, if two of you on earth agree to ask anything at all, it will be granted to you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three meet in my name, I am there among them." Mt: 18:19-20
Lord Jesus you came as a light that shines in darkness and a light that darkness cannot overpower (Jn: 1:5) – enlighten our hearts and minds to your presence in our midst.
For the times when we have failed to love God and to love each other we ask God’s forgiveness. Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.
We pray (Pause for Silent Prayer) Almighty and merciful God look with compassion on our affliction, and so lighten your children’s burden and confirm our faith that we may always trust without hesitation in your fatherly providence. Through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit One God for ever and ever. Amen.
The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me to revive my drooping spirit. He guides me along what he knows to be right. If I walk in the darkness no evil would I fear. I know that he will be there, with his crook and with his staff. The Lord has prepared, such a banquet for me. Surely goodness and kindness shall follow after me. In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell all the days of my life. (Psalm 23)
At that time Jesus exclaimed, I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to little children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. "Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light." (Mt 11:26-29) The Gospel of the Lord – Thanks be to God.
If you have internet access you can replace this Gospel reading with the relevant daily readings which are available on www.catholicbishops.ie
(Pause for a moment of silent reflection on the Gospel)
We bring our needs and prayers before our heavenly Father.
We pray for our world at this time (Pause for silent prayer).
Lord grant healing and comfort to those who are afflicted by the Coronavirus. We pray for our health professionals, our carers, and clergy who are working with those who are sick. (Pause)
Lord protect them and strengthen them as they care in your name.
We pray for our civil leaders (Pause) Lord Inspire them to make wise decisions in these days.
We pray for our Scientists (Pause) Lord enlighten them as they work to understand what is happening – guide their work as they strive to find ways to treat and protect us.
We pray for those who are anxious in these days (Pause) Lord ease their fears and grant them the consolation of your presence.
We pray for those who suffer in any way at this time – the poor, the hungry, the homeless – those who suffer from persecution, war, violence – those who are depressed, lonely or sad (Pause) Lord help them in their need.
We pray for our families and friends (by name) - Lord protect them and look after them.
We pray for a spirit of charity among our fellow country men and women (Pause) Lord at this time of national crisis, help the people of Ireland to be generous and to look out for and care for each other.
We pause to pray for our own private intentions. (Pause to mention intentions) Lord hear my prayer.
We pray for our loved ones who have died (Pause) Lord enfold them ever more closely in your loving embrace.
Father, we ask you to hear these our prayers and if it be your will to answer them for we make them in faith and love and trust through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
As God’s family we pray as Jesus himself taught us:
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
While we cannot receive communion at this time we can still make an act of Spiritual Communion in which we express our faith in Jesus and in his presence in the Eucharist and invite him to unite himself with us.
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. (St. Alphonsus de Liguori)
(Pause for silent prayer)
O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine! (3 times)
Let us Pray (Pause for silent prayer) Merciful Lord, You know the anguish of the sorrowful, You are attentive to the prayers of the humble. Hear your people who cry out to you in their need, and strengthen their hope in your lasting goodness; We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Give praise to the Father Almighty, to His Son Jesus Christ the Lord, to the Spirit who lives in our hearts, both now and forever. Amen.
Our Lady of Knock, Queen of Ireland, you gave hope to your people in a time of distress, and comforted them in sorrow. You have inspired countless pilgrims to pray with confidence to your Divine Son, remembering His promise, "Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find". Help me to remember that we are all pilgrims on the road to heaven. Fill me with love and concern for my brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those who live with me. Comfort me when I am sick, lonely or depressed. Teach me how to take part ever more reverently in the Holy Mass. Give me a greater love of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Pray for me now and at the hour of my death. Amen.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: Grant us peace.
St. Michael, the Archangel, Protect and Pray for us. Amen.
The Lord bless us and keep us; The Lord make his face shine on us and be gracious to us; The Lord turn his face toward us and give us his peace both now and forever. Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Remember to extinguish the lighting candle
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the word incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, health of the sick. At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain, with steadfast faith. You, salvation of the Roman people, know what we need. We are certain that you will provide as you did at Cana of Galilee so that joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial.
Help us Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the Father’s will and to do what Jesus tells us. He who took our sufferings upon Himself and bore our sorrows to bring us through the cross to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.
We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas, we who are put to the test and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.
LOCKDOWN
Yes, there is fear, Yes there is isolation, Yes there is panic buying, Yes there is sickness, Yes there is even death.
BUT
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise, you can hear the bird again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet the sky is no longer thick with fumes – but blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi, people are singing to each other across the empty squares, keeping their windows open so that those who are alone may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know is busy spreading fliers with her number through the neighbourhood so that elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples are preparing to welcome and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary.
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting.
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way.
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality to how big we really are. To how little control we really have. To what really matters.
TO LOVE
So we pray and we remember that – Yes there is fear – But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation – But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness – But there does not have to be disease of the soul.
Yes there is even death – But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
TODAY BREATHE
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic the birds are singing again, the sky is clearing, Spring is coming and we are always encompassed by love.
Open the windows of your soul and though you may not be able to touch across the empty square.
SING
Fr. Richard Hendrick, OFM
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