Most merciful Father,
we commend our departed into Your hands.
We are filled with the sure hope
that our departed will rise again on the Last Day
with all who have died in Christ.
We thank You for all the good things
You have given during our departed's earthly life.
May 22, 2017
May 21, 2017
O Holy Virgin,
in the midst of all your glory,
we ask you not to forget
the sorrows of this world.
Cast a look of pity upon all
who struggle against life's difficulties,
and who cease not to feel all its bitterness.
Have pity on all who have been
separated from those they love.
Have pity on the lonely and friendless.
May 20, 2017
Loving God,
as a mother gives life and nourishment to her children,
so you watch over your Church.
Bless our families,
that they may be strengthened as Christian households.
Let the example of their faith and love shine forth.
Grant that we, Your sons and daughters,
may honor You always
with a spirit of profound respect.
May 19, 2017
One of the many gifts and blessings I experience in the United States as I travel during the summer for the church appeals is the universality of the Church and meeting people from the different ethnic groups from Eastern Europe, Latin and Central America and Asia.
May 19, 2017
I adore You, O my God,
and I love You with all my heart.
I give thanks that You have created me,
made me a Christian,
and preserved me this night.
I offer You the actions of this day;
grant that all of them may be according to Your holy Will,
and for Your greater glory.
Save me from sin and from all evil.
May 18, 2017
Immaculate Mary, our Mother,
relying on your maternal intercession,
we resolve from this moment to devote our talents,
learning, material resources,
our health, sickness and trials,
and every gift of nature and grace,
for the greater glory of God
and the salvation of all.
We wish to carry on those activities
May 17, 2017
O almighty God,
Lord of the harvest of souls,
we ask You to guide and bless all
who have gone forth to preach the gospel.
Endow them with the gifts of generosity and concern.
Send your Holy Spirit on them,
that He may strengthen them in weakness,
comfort them in trials and direct their efforts.
May 16, 2017
O Holy Mother.
We kneel before you
to manifest the sorrow we feel
for the grievances that people cause you,
and to atone by our prayers and sacrifices
for the offenses with which they return your love.
Obtain for them and for us the pardon of so many sins.
Hasten the conversion of sinners
that they may love Jesus
May 15, 2017
Behold in pity, O Lord,
the sorrows of Your people,
which I bring before You;
the perils of Your servants;
the sorrowful sighing of prisoners;
the miseries of widows and orphans,
and all that are desolate and bereaved;
the necessities of strangers and travelers;
the helplessness and sadness of the weak and sickly;
The Columbans are a society of missionaries, including priests and lay people, who minister to people of various cultures as a way of witnessing to the universal love of God.