POPE CALLS ON WORLD LEADERS TO END VIOLENCE AND START SERVING LIFE 

Pope Leo led an international prayer service for peace at St Peter’s Basilica on Saturday evening, 11 April. 

It featured the recitation of the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary. Before each mystery, women from various nations, wearing traditional dress, lit small candles representing the different continents of the world from the Lamp of Peace, brought from Assisi. These were placed below a statue of our Lady Queen of Peace. 

The Pope’s address confronted the evil of violence and war and its foundations. The Holy Father went on to state it.

Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! True strength is shown in serving life.” 

“Those who pray are aware of their own limitations; they do not kill or threaten with death. Instead, death enslaves those who have turned their backs on the living God, turning themselves and their own power into a mute, blind and deaf idol, to which they sacrifice every value, demanding that the whole world bends its knee.”

PRAYER

“Prayer can move mountains,” he said, “war divided, hope unites. Arrogance tramples upon others. Love lifts us. Idolatry blinds us; the living God enlightens.”

“With the help of prayer and God, people can help 'break the demonic cycle of evil' and be at the service of the Kingdom of God, where there is 'no sword'. No drone, no vengeance, no trivialization of evil, no unjust profit, but only dignity, understanding and forgiveness” The Pope stated.  

He criticized the use of God’s name in justifying violence, saying “even the Holy name of God, the God of life, is being dragged into the discourse of death.”

“STOP, IT'S TIME FOR PEACE." 

“Sit at the table of dialogue and mediation, not at the table where rearmament is planned and deadly actions are decided.” 

A Prayer for the Family

Composed by St Mother Teresa

Heavenly Father,

you have given us the model of life in the Holy Family of Nazareth. Help us, O Loving Father, to make our family another Nazareth where love, peace and joy reign. May it be deeply contemplative, intensely eucharistic, and revived with joy. 

Help us to stay together in joy and sorrow in family prayer. Teach us to see Jesus in the members of our families, especially in their distressing disguise. May the eucharistic heart of Jesus make our hearts humble like his and help us to carry out our family duties in a holy way.

May we love one another as God loves each one of us, more and more each day, and forgive each other's faults as you forgive our sins. Help us, O Loving Father, to take whatever you give and give whatever you take with a big smile.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, cause of our joy, pray for us.

St Joseph, pray for us.

Holy Guardian Angels, be always with us, guide and protect us.

Amen.
 

Prayer of Dedication

Lord Jesus, I give you my hands to do your work.

I give you my feet to go your way.

I give you my eyes to see as you do.

I give you my tongue to speak your words.

I give you my mind that you may think in me.

I give you my spirit That you may pray in me.

Above all I give you my heart that you may love in me, your father, and all of mankind.

I give you my whole self that you may grow in me, so that it is you, Lord Jesus, who lives and works and prays in me.
Amen.

Prayer for Priests and Deacons

Father, you have appointed your Son Jesus Christ eternal High Priest. 

Guide those he has chosen to be ministers of word and sacrament and help them do be faithful in fulfilling the ministry they have received. 

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. 

Amen.