Let us pray with conviction and hope that in this Year of Faith we may be renewed in our fight to defend all human life so that abortion may no longer be a reality in our world.
Intercessions:
For repentance, healing and peace, in every heart and every nation [and for the ‘Consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary’ by the Pope in union with all the Bishops in their respective Cathedrals, at the appointed time and using the same Consecration Prayer without deviation, subtraction or addition to the text].
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.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee. Blessed art Thou amongst women and blessed is the Fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee. Blessed art Thou amongst women and blessed is the Fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee. Blessed art Thou amongst women and blessed is the Fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Reflection:
Today is the memorial of St. Angela Merici, foundress of the religious community now known as the Ursuline nuns.
Living in northern Italy in the early 1500s, she was moved by the needs of young girls in the community, who were poor and uneducated. She responded to the girls’ needs by educating them in the Gospel.
Her example reminds us that to share Christ with those in need is to share news of great joy.
‘…for today is holy to our LORD. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!’ (Nehemiah 8:10)
We hear these words proclaimed in today’s first reading. The message of the Gospel of Life is one of great joy!
Our call to live this Gospel is not marked with sadness and despair, but with hope, expectation and exuberant joy.
‘It is up to you, young followers of Christ, to show the world that faith brings happiness and a joy which is true, full and enduring.… The Gospel is the ‘good news’ that God loves us and that each of us is important to Him. Show the world that this is true!’ (Pope Benedict XVI, Message for the 27th World Youth Day, March 15, 2012).
Acts of Reparation (Choose one or more to do today):
• Spend quality time with a family member or friend; ask them if they would like to help out at a local charity with you.
• Say three ‘Hail Mary’s’ for your parish priest. Without our priests, we could not have the sacraments. [And, whenever someone bad-mouths a priest, or ridicules, or slanders, or bears false witness or spreads gossip about him stand up and boldly proclaim: ‘I have the utmost respect, love, and admiration for my priests and for all of the Church’s consecrated religious men and women. And, I respect all of them deeply and dearly. Our priests and religious need prayers not criticisms. And I, on my part, will pray for you and for them.’]
• Make a “quiet hour” today, turning off all electronic devices (cell phone, iPod, computer, television, radio, video game system), and retreat to your room.
‘The path to the attainment of the common good and to peace is above all that of respect for human life in all its many aspects, beginning with its conception, through its development and up to its natural end. True peacemakers, then, are those who love, defend and promote human life in all its dimensions, personal, communitarian and transcendent. Life in its fullness is the height of peace. Anyone who loves peace cannot tolerate attacks and crimes against life.’
It’s up to you—through your prayers and actions—to help [promote and foster and maintain] a culture of life and peace. May God bless you for your dedication and sacrifices for life!
St. Angela Merici, Pray For Us!
Dear Jesus, Thank You for all the graces Thou hast bestowed upon St. Angela Merici and on all of Thy Saints and Angels. Give us the grace to be morally courageous and to always ‘do the right thing’, even when it is most difficult. But, not my will but Thy Will be done. Amen.