Sending a blessing across the world . . .

 

May God bless us with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that we will live deep within our hearts.

 

May God bless us with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people and the earth, so that we will work for justice, equity, and peace.

 

May God bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war, so that we will reach out our hands to comfort them and turn their pain and sorrow to joy.

 

And may God bless us with the foolishness to believe that we can make a difference in the world, so we will do the things which others claim cannot be done, to bring justice and kindness to all.  

   (A Franciscan Prayer~ author unknown)

 

Let us pray peace, speak peace, live peace . . .

 A Christian Prayer for Peace in Our Time

O God, author and giver of peace,

in whose image and likeness each of us has been created

with a human dignity worthy of respect on earth

and destined for eternal glory,

Listen to the cry that rises from every corner of this fragile earth,

from our human family torn by violent conflict:

Give peace in our time, O good and gracious God,

that peace which, as your son Jesus Christ told us

and as we have experienced in these days,

is a peace which the world cannot give.

To world leaders grant the wisdom

to see beyond the boundaries of race, religion, and nation

to that common humanity that makes us all your children

and brothers and sisters to one another.

To those who have taken up arms in anger or revenge

or even in the cause of justice

grant the grace of conversion to the path of peaceful dialogue

and constructive collaboration.

To the innocent who live in the shadow of war and terror,

especially the frightened children,

be a shelter and strength, their haven and hope.

And to those who have already lost their lives

as victims of human cruelty and chemical warfare,

open wide your arms and enfold them all

in the embrace of your compassion, healing, and everlasting life.

Grant this through Jesus Christ, your son, our Lord.

Mary, Mother of all and Queen of peace, pray for us.

- Peter J. Scagnelli

https://www.xavier.edu/jesuitresource/online-resources/prayer-index/prayers-for-peace

God Is With Us . . .

 

God Be With Us

May God be with us in strength, holding us in strong-fingered hands; and may we be the sacrament of God’s strength to those whose hands we hold.

May God be with us in gentleness, touching us with sunlight and rain and wind. May God’s tenderness shine through us to warm all who are hurt and lonely.

May God be with us in wonder, delighting us with thunder and song, sunrise and daisy; enchanting our senses, filling our hearts, giving us wide-open eyes for seeing and splendor in the humble and majestic. And may we open the eyes and hearts of the blind and the insensitive.

May God be with us in love and friendship, listening to us, speaking to us, drawing us close as we tremble at the edge of self-gift.  May God’s love in us light fires of faith and hope, glow in our eyes and meet God’s love glowing in the eyes of our friends.

May God be with us in compassion, holding us close when we are weary and hurt and alone – when there is rain in our heart. And may we be the warm hands and the warm eyes of compassion for our friends when they reach out to us in need.

May God be with us in joy, thrilling us with nearness, filling our heart to fullness and filling our throat to ringing, singing exultation.

May God be with us in peace, stilling the heart that hammers with fear and doubt and confusion, and may our peace, the warm mantle of your peace, cover those who are troubled or anxious.

May God be with us in simplicity, opening us to a clearer vision of what is real and true, leading us deeply into the mystery of life and may our dealings with others be marked by honesty.

May God be with us today and every day. May God hold each of us, empowering us with understanding, love, and respect.
May God’s forgiveness touch our hearts, enabling us to forgive ourselves and each other.

And finally, may we experience God’s peace and the joy that results from unity and prayer, shared values, and common vision

Author Unknown

 

Prayer of Quieting . . .

 

A Quieting Prayer . . .

I weave a silence on my lips,
I weave a silence into my mind,
I weave a silence within my heart.

I close my ears to distractions,
I close my eyes to attentions,
I close my heart to temptations.

Calm me, O God, as you stilled the storm,
Still me, O God, keep me from harm.
Let all the tumult within me cease,
Enfold me, God, in your peace.
(Author Unknown ~ Celtic Tradition)

 

A Prayer for Clarity!

 

Clear our heart, O God,

that we may see you.

Clear our heart, O God,

that we may truly see ourselves.

Clear our heart, O God,

that we may know

the sacredness of this moment

and in every moment

seek you

serve you

strengthen you

as the Living Presence.

Clear our heart, O God,

that we may see.

 

John Phillip Newell

Praying with the Earth

A Prayerbook for Peace

Photo by: Doris Klein, CSA

Holy Amazement, Holy Gratitude!!

 

Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is,

than falling in love in a quite absolute final way.

What you are in love with,

what seizes your imagination,

will affect everything.

It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning,

what you do with your evenings,

how you spend your weekend,

what you read, who you know,

what breaks your heart,

and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.

Fall in love,

stay in love,

and it will decide everything.

 

Pedro Arupe, sj

 

Remembering . . .

The first Sister of St. Agnes ~ 1858

Sister Clara Rehberg . . .

died February 11, 1909.

•      At the age of 27, she met with Fr. Rehrl June 1858 in Mayville, WI

•      “Fr. Rehrl’s welcome was so warm and his desire to establish a society of sisters was so compelling that she agreed to find some companions to join her and meet him in Barton in three days' time.” In August, Gertrude arrived with two more women to join her.