Intercom Magazine Prayers and Reflections
May 2024
The Pope’s Monthly Intention
For the formation of religious and seminarians: We pray that religious women and men, and seminarians, grow in their own vocations through their human, pastoral, spiritual and community formation, leading them to be credible witnesses to the Gospel.
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May Altar in Ms O’Gara’s Class
May is the month to remember Mary in a special way. Mary was a very special person, because God chose her, above all other women, to be the mother of his Son, Jesus. Here is a special prayer that you can say at home with your child during the month of May.
Thank you Mary, for saying ‘yes’ to God.
Help us to remember that you love us, and that your Son, Jesus, loves us too.
We know that he wants to be our friend.
Bless us, and keep us all safe. Amen.
www.saintmarys.ie
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World Day of Prayer for the Church in China • 24 May 2024
Virgin Most Holy, Mother of the Incarnate Word and our Mother, venerated in the Shrine of Sheshan under the title ‘Help of Christians,’ the entire Church in China looks to you with devout affection. We come before you today to implore your protection.
Our Lady of Sheshan, sustain all those in China, who, amid their daily trials, continue to believe, to hope, to love. May they never be afraid to speak of Jesus to the world, and of the world to Jesus.
In the statue overlooking the Shrine you lift your Son on high, offering him to the world with open arms in a gesture of love.
Help Catholics always to be credible witnesses to this love, ever clinging to the rock of Peter on which the Church is built.
Mother of China and all Asia, pray for us, now and forever. Amen!
From the Prayer of Pope Benedict XVI
who in 2007 proclaimed 24 May,
the feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians,
to be a World Day of Prayer for the Church in China,
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Prayer for World Communications Day • 12 May 2024
O God,
whose word is truth
and in whose light we see light,
guide those who tell the story of our times through word and image.
Make them seekers after truth
and advocates of human dignity.
Grant discernment to all who rely on their labours,
and, as we confront the pain and promise of this world,
awaken in us a sense of wonder at your presence
and of longing for your peace.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Amen
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Prayer of St Brendan the Voyager • Feast 16 May
Help me to journey beyond the familiar
and into the unknown.
Give me the faith to leave old ways
and break fresh ground with You.
Christ of the mysteries, I trust You
to be stronger than each storm within me.
I will trust in the darkness and know
that my times, even now, are in Your hand.
Tune my spirit to the music of heaven,
and somehow, make my obedience count for You.
Amen.
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The St Rita Novena prayer • Feast 22 May
O God, in your infinite tenderness you have been pleased to regard the prayer of your servant Rita, and to grant to her supplication that which is impossible to human foresight, skill, and effort, as rewards for her compassionate love and firm reliance on your promises. Have pity on us in times of adversities and comfort us in our calamities, that even the unbelievers may know that you are the recompense of the humble, the defense of the helpless, and the strength of those who trust in you. Grant this in the Name of Jesus the Lord.
St Rita of Cascia (1386-1457) St Rita of Cascia, was married for eighteen years. Her husband, an ill-tempered and abusive man, was murdered. Later Rita entered the Augustinian convent in Cascia and spent forty years in prayer and charity, and working for peace in the region. She is a patron saint of the impossible, difficult, and hopeless causes, distinctly in the realm of marriage, abuse, fertility, parenthood, and disease.
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