Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation. - Luke 22:46

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for April are:

General:   That every tendency to fundamentalism and extremism may be countered by constant respect, by tolerance and by dialogue among all believers.

Mission:   That Christians persecuted for the sake of the Gospel may persevere, sustained by the Holy Spirit, in faithfully witnessing to the love of God for the entire human race.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That religious, by their consecration, lead many to discover that true freedom is found in obedience.

Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. - Romans 12:12

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for March are:

General:   That the world economy may be managed according to the principles of justice and equity, taking account of the real needs of peoples, especially the poorest.

Mission:   That the Churches in Africa may be signs and instruments of reconciliation and justice in every part of that continent.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That children may witness to their peers about the sanctity of life.

Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for February are:

General:   For all scholars and intellectuals, that by means of sincere search for the truth they may arrive at an understanding of the one true God.

Mission:   That the Church, aware of its own missionary identity, may strive to follow Christ faithfully and to proclaim His Gospel to all peoples.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

For the full conversion of abortion providers who are considering leaving the abortion industry.

Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God's gift of Himself. - Bl. Teresa of Calcutta

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for January are:

General:   That young people may learn to use modern means of social communication for their personal growth and to better prepare themselves to serve society.

Mission:   That every believer in Christ may be conscious that unity among all Christians is a condition for more effective proclamation of the Gospel.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

For the success of the Annual March for Life in Washington and Walk for Life in San Francisco.

Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God's gift of Himself. - Bl. Teresa of Calcutta

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for December are:

General:   That children may be respected and loved and never be the victims of exploitation in its various forms.

Mission:   That at Christmas the peoples of the earth may recognize in the Word Incarnate the light which illuminates every man and that the Nations may open their doors to Christ, the Savior of the world.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That God may give eternal rest to the women who died from abortion.

Prayer for our Nation's Health Care Reform

Lord Jesus, you are the Divine Physician,
And the source of all life and health.

Guide our nation at this critical moment,
As our government seeks health care reforms.

Give our elected officials the humility to know
That they are servants, not masters.
Give them the wisdom to realize
That every life has equal value.
Give them the strength to resist the idea
That some lives can be sacrificed to save others
Or that killing the unborn is part of health care.

Give your people the courage to speak up
And to hold public officials accountable for their actions.

Save us, Lord Jesus, from a culture of death,
And let every reform in our public policy
Be based on the reform of our hearts and minds
In the light of your Gospel,
For you are Lord forever and ever. Amen.

by Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life

Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God's gift of Himself. - Bl. Teresa of Calcutta

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for November are:

General:   That all the men and women in the world, especially those who have responsibilities in the field of politics and economics, may never fail in their commitment to safeguard creation.

Mission:   That believers in the different religions, through the testimony of their lives and fraternal dialogue, may clearly demonstrate that the name of God is a bearer of peace.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That the children who are now scheduled to be aborted may be protected.

Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God's gift of Himself. - Bl. Teresa of Calcutta

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for October are:

General:   That Sunday may be lived as the day on which Christians gather to celebrate the risen Lord, participating in the Eucharist.

Mission:   That the entire People of God, to whom Christ entrusted the mandate to go and preach the Gospel to every creature, may eagerly assume their own missionary responsibility and consider it the highest service they can offer humanity.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention
That parish pro-life organizations may grow in numbers and effectiveness.

Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God's gift of Himself. - Bl. Teresa of Calcutta

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for September are:

General:   That the word of God may be better known, welcomed and lived as the source of freedom and joy.

Mission:   That Christians in Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar, who often meet with great difficulties, may not be discourage from announcing the Gospel to their brothers, trusting in the strength of the Holy Spirit.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

For blessings upon all pro-life organizations.

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for August are:

General:   That public opinion may be more aware of the problem of millions of displaced persons and refugees and that concrete solutions may be found for their often tragic situation.

Mission:   That those Christians who are discriminated against and persecuted in many Countries because of the name of Christ may have their human rights, equality and religious freedom recognized, in order to be able to live and profess their own faith freely.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That preachers in all denominations may courageously preach about abortion and euthanasia.

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for May are:

General:   That the laity and the Christian communities may be responsible promoters of priestly and religious vocations.

Mission:   That the recently founded Catholic Churches, grateful to the Lord for the gift of faith, may be ready to share in the universal mission of the Church, offering their availability to preach the Gospel throughout the world.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That God may strengthen those who suffer ridicule and
rejection for their pro-life convictions.

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for April are:

General:   That our Lord may bless farmers with abundant harvests and sensitize the richer nations to respond to the ravages of hunger throughout the world.

Mission:   That Christians working in desperate conditions among women, children, the poor, and the weak, may be signs of hope in their courageous witness to the Gospel of solidarity and love.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That God may bless and console the fathers of aborted children.

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for March are:

General:   That the role of women may be more appreciated and used to good advantage in every country in the world.

Mission:   That in the light of the letter addressed to them by Pope Benedict XVI, the Bishops, priests, consecrated persons, and lay faithful of the Catholic Church in the Popular Republic of China may commit themselves to being the sign and instrument of unity, communion and peace.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That God may strengthen those who suffer ridicule and rejection for their pro-life convictions.

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for February are:

General:   That the Pastors of the Church may always be docile to the action of the Holy Spirit in their teaching and in their service to God's people.

Mission:   That the Church in Africa may find adequate ways and means to promote reconciliation, justice and peace efficaciously, according to the indications of the Synod of the Bishops’ Special Assembly for Africa.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That God may bless and strengthen the pro-life efforts of
college students.

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for January are:

General:   That the family may become more and more a place of training in charity, personal growth and transmission of the faith.

Mission:   That the different Christian confessions, aware of the need for a new evangelization in this period of profound transformations, may be committed to announcing the Good News and moving towards the full unity of all Christians in order to offer a more credible testimony of the Gospel.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That the faithful more deeply study the words and actions of Christ, to know how to care for the least of our brothers and sisters.

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for December are:

General:   That in the face of a spreading of a culture of violence and death the Church through her apostolic and missionary activity may promote with courage the culture of life.

Mission:   That especially in mission countries Christians may show with acts of fraternal love that the Child born in the stable at Bethlehem is the luminous Hope of the world.

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for November are:

General: That the testimony of love offered by the Saints, may fortify Christians in their service to God and neighbor, imitating Christ who came not to be served but to serve. catechists and pastoral workers engaged in the service of the Word of God transmit with courage the truth of the faith in communion with the entire Church.

Mission: That Christian communities in Asia, contemplating the face of Christ, may find the most suitable way to announce Him in full fidelity to the Gospel to the peoples of that vast continent so rich in culture and ancient forms of spirituality.

In order to prepare our hearts to vote and to ask for our Lord to be with our nation during this election, the following prayer can be offered for the nine days up to the election--October 27 - November 4.

O God, we acknowledge you today as Lord,
Not only of individuals, but of nations and governments.

We thank you for the privilege
Of being able to organize ourselves politically
And of knowing that political loyalty
Does not have to mean disloyalty to you.

We thank you for your law,
Which our Founding Fathers acknowledged
And recognized as higher than any human law.

We thank you for the opportunity that this election year puts before us,
To exercise our solemn duty not only to vote,
But to influence countless others to vote,
And to vote correctly.

Lord, we pray that your people may be awakened.
Let them realize that while politics is not their salvation,
Their response to you requires that they be politically active.

Awaken your people to know that they are not called to be a sect fleeing the world
But rather a community of faith renewing the world.

Awaken them that the same hands lifted up to you in prayer
Are the hands that pull the lever in the voting booth;
That the same eyes that read your Word
Are the eyes that read the names on the ballot,
And that they do not cease to be Christians
When they enter the voting booth.

Awaken your people to a commitment to justice
To the sanctity of marriage and the family,
To the dignity of each individual human life,
And to the truth that human rights begin when human lives begin,
And not one moment later.

Lord, we rejoice today
That we are citizens of your kingdom.

May that make us all the more committed
To being faithful citizens on earth.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From Priests for Life

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for October are:

General: That the Synod of Bishops may help bishops and theologians as well as catechists and pastoral workers engaged in the service of the Word of God transmit with courage the truth of the faith in communion with the entire Church.

Mission: That in this month dedicated to the missions, through the promotional activities of the Pontifical Missionary Works and other organisms, the Christian may feel the need to participate in the Church’s universal mission with prayer, sacrifice and concrete help.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That voters may be active in the political process and elect pro-life candidates.

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for September are:

General: That those who are forced to leave home and country because of war or oppressive regimes may be supported by Christians in the defense and protection of their rights.

Mission: That faithful to the sacrament of matrimony every Christian family may cultivate the values of love and communion in order to be a small evangelizing community, sensitive and open to the material and spiritual needs of others.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

For the continued growth of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign and Rachel's Vineyard.

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for August are:

General: That the human family may learn to respect God’s plan for the world and become ever more aware that Creation is God’s great gift.

Mission: That the answer of the entire people of God to the common calling to holiness and mission may be promoted and fostered by means of careful discernment of charisms and constant commitment to spiritual and cultural formation.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

For the healing of fathers of aborted children.

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for July are:

General: That there may be an increase in the number of those who volunteer to serve the Christian community with generous and prompt availability.

Mission: That World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia, may kindle the fire of divine love in numerous young people and render them sowers of hope for a new humanity.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

For those who suffer persecution and discrimination for speaking up for the unborn.

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for June are:

General: That all Christians may cultivate a deep and personal friendship with Christ so to communicate the strength of his love to every person they meet.

Mission: That the International Eucharistic Congress in Quebec may lead to greater understanding that the Eucharist is the heart of the Church and the source of evangelization.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

For increased ecumenical collaboration in defense of life.

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for May are:

General: That Christians may use literature, art and the media to greater advantage to favor a culture which defends and promotes the values of the human person.

Mission: That just as she accompanied the Apostles in the early stages of the Church, may the Blessed Virgin Mary, Star of Evangelization and Queen of Apostles, continue to guide missionaries throughout the world with maternal affection.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

For an increase in the spirit of respectful dialogue with those who disagree with us on life issues.

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for April are:

General: That even in difficult and complex situations of present-day society, Christians may never tire of proclaiming with their lives Christ's resurrection, the source of hope and peace.

Mission: That future priests in young Churches may be ever more seriously formed culturally and spiritually in order to evangelize their respective countries and the whole world.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That homilies on life issues will inspire listeners to effective action.

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for March are:

General: That the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation between individuals and peoples may be understood and that through her testimony the Church may spread Christ's love, the source of new humanity.

Mission: That Christians persecuted because of the Gospel in various parts of the world and in various manners may be sustained by the strength of the Holy Spirit and continue to bear witness courageously and openly to the Word of God.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

For pro-life organizations which are just starting.

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for February are:

General: That the mentally handicapped may not be marginalized but respected and lovingly helped to live in a way worthy of their physical and social condition.

Mission: That Institutes of Consecrated Life, so flourishing in mission countries, may rediscover the missionary dimension and, faithful to the radical choice of Gospel counsels, be generous in bearing witness to Christ and proclaiming Him to the ends of the earth.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That Priests for Life may grow in the effectiveness and scope of its ministry.

A certain Ananias, a devout observer of the law, and highly spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, came to me and stood there and said, 'Saul, my brother, regain your sight.' And at that very moment I regained my sight and saw him.

Then he said, 'The God of our ancestors designated you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the sound of his voice; for you will be his witness before all to what you have seen and heard.

Now, why delay? Get up and have yourself baptized and your sins washed away, calling upon his name.' Acts 22:12-16

Today is the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. The importance of this event is underscored by the fact that the account of his conversion is recorded three times in the book of Acts. Today's reading is taken from St. Paul's own apologia which he presented after he had been arrested in Jerusalem.

Today, also marks the last day of the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity. This is the 100th year of this ecumenical effort as this short video explains.

Happy New Year!

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for January are:

General: That the Church may strengthen her commitment to full visible unity in order to manifest ever more clearly her nature as a community of love in which is reflected the communion of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Mission: That the Church in Africa, preparing to celebrate the second Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Africa, may continue to be a sign and channel of reconciliation and justice in a continent still suffering from war, exploitation and poverty.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That radio and television ministries will carry effective commentary on life issues.

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for December are:

General: That human society may be solicitous in the care of all those stricken with AIDS, especially children and women, and that the Church may make them feel the Lord's love.

Mission: That the incarnation of the Son of God, which the Church celebrates solemnly at Christmas, may help the peoples of the Asiatic Continent to recognize God's Envoy, the only Saviour of the world, in Jesus.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That God may give eternal rest to the women who died from abortion.

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for November are:

General: That those dedicated to medical research and all those engaged in legislative activity may always have deep respect for human life, from its beginning to its natural conclusion.

Mission: That in the Korean Peninsula the spirit of reconciliation and peace may grow.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That the children who are now scheduled to be aborted may be protected.

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for October are:

General: That Christians who are in minority situations may have strength and courage to live their faith and persevere in bearing witness to it.

Mission: That World Missionary Day may kindle a greater missionary awareness in every baptized person.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That parish pro-life organizations may grow in numbers and effectiveness.

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for September are:

General: That the ecumenical assembly in Romania this month may contribute to the growth of unity among all Christians.

Mission: That following Christ joyfully, all missionaries may know how to overcome the difficulties they meet in everyday life.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That God may bless and strengthen the pro-life efforts of college students.