Nourished in Prayer
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Families are to live out their vocation as the domestic Church. The Lord’s presence dwells in real and concrete families, with all their daily troubles and struggles, joys and hopes (Amoris Laetitia, #315)
Nourish your family spiritually during the pandemic. Let us take advantage of this somewhat strange time to welcome and live the Spirit in our homes and rediscover the wealth and the gift of our domestic Churches together with Jesus, who lives with us. (Card. Farrell, March 19, 2020). This global pandemic has disrupted our usual Sunday observances from gathering for the celebration of the eucharist and visiting loved ones, to sharing meals and playing games together. Creating a domestic horarium can help you and your family mark the Lord's day and stay grounded in your Christian identity in this time of flux. (S. Brosig, March 2020). |
Photo: Jessica Cyr
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Prayer resources
Find resources for prayers, devotions and liturgies that you can use at home:
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Pray for others during these difficult times
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer." ~ Romans 12:12
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Our daily experience of life should shape our prayer for the greatest desire of the Lord is for us to recognize His presence in all aspects of our lives. St. Paul tells us that to pray is to rejoice in hope, to be patient in suffering and to persevere in it.
Emotions are a gift from God. They give colour to our experience of life. However, when we are driven by our emotions and by the need to "feel" everything we may only pray when we feel our prayer. We may only pray when we are happy or when we are desperate. In fact, many of the chores in our homes will not get done if we only feel our way through them. |
Our life of discipleship calls us to live in God always - in rejoicing, in suffering, and in persevering even when we do not feel like praying.
During these difficult times in which we live, there is greater need to live lives of prayer, to be rooted in God at all times. We only need to open our eyes and to see many forms of suffering. We see wars and acts of violence. We see poverty. We see unemployment and uncertainty. We see despair in the eyes of many. To become light for others in these difficult times, we need to support others through prayer. We need to help others carry their burdens by praying in solidarity with them. Vertical Divider
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A life of prayer should open us up to the world around us and should help us become more forgetful of our own whims as we focus on the burdens of others.
Be that light for others... pray with all your might for those in need. Rejoice with them, unite with their suffering and persevere in prayer. |
In what way can I pray for others & their intentions?
Pray the RosaryWhen we pray the Rosary, we do not pray alone, but with Mary who carry our prayers to her son. Not sure who to pray for? Start with those whose photos are in your phone. Read more.
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Offer your intention at MassEach Mass takes us to the sacrifice of Christ to God the Father. In addition to praying the Mass with an engaged mind and heart, we participate by offering up our own sacrifices and intentions.
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Pray with themOne thing we can do when someone asks us to pray for them is to promptly ask the person, “Would it be alright for me to pray for you right now?” Here is how.
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Pray the intentions of the PopePray and work to meet the humanity challenges of the world identified by the Pope. His intentions are keys for our prayers and mission. Find his monthly intentions here
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Pray a special NovenaNovenas are an ancient part of the the Church's devotional life. Its practice goes back to the time of the apostles. The novena is prayed over the course of 9 days. Learn more.
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Bring a friend to a retreatShare with others these opportunities for a time of rest and prayer with FCJ Centre | Mount St. Francis | Martha Centre Lethbridge | Divine Mercy Centre
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Prayers
Work as if everything depends on you. Pray as if everything depends on God. ~ St. Ignatius Loyola
Spiritual Communion Prayer
Prayer for a Pandemic For all who have contracted coronavirus, We pray for care and healing. For those who are particularly vulnerable, We pray for safety and protection. For all who experience fear or anxiety, We pray for peace of mind and spirit. For affected families who are facing difficult decisions between food on the table or public safety, We pray for policies that recognize their plight. For those who do not have adequate health insurance, We pray that no family will face financial burdens alone. For those who are afraid to access care due to immigration status, We pray for recognition of the God-given dignity of all. For our brothers and sisters around the world, We pray for shared solidarity. For public officials and decision-makers, We pray for wisdom and guidance. Father, during this time may your Church be a sign of hope, comfort and love to all. Grant peace. Grant comfort. Grant healing. Be with us, Lord. Amen. For the Sick Dear Jesus, Divine Physician and Healer of the sick, we turn to you in this time of illness. O dearest comforter of the troubled, alleviate our worry and sorrow with your gentle love, and grant us the grace and strength to accept this burden. Dear God, we place our worries in your hands.We place our sick under your care and humbly ask that you restore your servant to health again. Above all, grant us the grace to acknowledge your will and know that whatever you do, you do for the love of us. Amen. For those who care for the sick Father of mercies, we thank you for all who care for the sick. When they diagnose, give them patience. When they protect the vulnerable, give them your protection. When they work to heal, give them strength. When they comfort, give them consolation. When they are tired, give them rest. When they are discouraged, bring them your hope. May we welcome and respect them as we support one another in this time of trial. For those seeking a cure for the virus Come, Holy Spirit, enlighten the minds of women and men of medical science who are working to find a cure for this viral infection. Guide their research and help them discover what you provide in creation, sure ways of control, protection, inoculation and healing. Strengthen them in their tireless work and enrich in them the virtue of hope. For those who govern and represent us Eternal Wisdom, guide our leaders called to serve us in our nation, its provinces and territories. May they respond to the challenges of this affliction with prudence and sound judgement. With prudence, may their planning alleviate the economic burdens, compensate for losses, protect employment, and ensure ample food and shelter for the poor, the isolated and the marginalized. For those suffering from anxiety I pray for all those who suffer from anxiety in the midst of this exceptional situation we are going through. May they get comfort, Lord, both in your unlimited Love and in the community. Holy Spirit, be our light so that we keep faith in the heart of our daily lives and in that way, we may transform fear into hope. Amen. Consecration to Mary, Mother of the Church during Pandemic. Download Prayer. Pray the Loreto Litanies
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Prayer to Our Lady, Health of the Sick (Pope Francis)
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