Living as a Catholic Prayer What Is Prayer? 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. Thérèse of Lisieux, Manuscrits autobiographiques, C 25r.) The Year of Prayer In preparation for the 2025 Jubilee Year 'Pilgrims of Hope', 2024 has been designated a Year of Prayer by Pope Francis. It started in Advent 2023. There is a particular focus on the Our Father, and this presents us with a great opportunity to go back to the basics of prayer. 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. If the Gospel is a message of Joy, then it is one we should be eager to share with others, and this can be done especially by inviting people to a deeper, prayerful encounter with Jesus Christ this year. Find out more about the Year of Prayer. Year of Prayer Go to: Monthly Prayer Intentions Vision Prayer A Prayer for Ukraine Lord Jesus Christ,Prince of Peace and Saviour of the World: Our world is in need of your peace at this time,as we see the effects of evil deeds. We hold before you our brothers and sisters in Ukraine:those who are living through the trauma of staying, under threat of their lives and homesand those who have left all they know in search of safety. We are seeing too the best of humanityin those who are welcoming others into their countries and communities:new friendships which are emerging from the ashes of destruction;death leading to resurrection. As the Season of Lent began with prayer for the people of Ukraine,may it continue to be our prayer each day,that darkness will be transformed into light,hatred into love,and a deep respect for common humanitybe expressed between nations. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place all our trust in you.Amen. Mgr Timothy MenezesCathedral Dean Praying for Peace in the Holy Land The charity Friends of the Holy Land have compiled reflections and prayers to use during this time of war. Prayers for April The Pope Video Let us pray that the dignity and worth of women be recognized in every culture, and for an end to the discrimination they face in various parts of the world. Pope Francis – April 2024 In many parts of the world, women are treated like the first thing to get rid of.There are countries where women are forbidden to access aid, open a business, or go to school. In these places, they are subject to laws that make them dress a certain way. And in many countries, genital mutilation is still practiced.Let us not deprive women of their voice. Let us not rob all these abused women of their voice. They are exploited, marginalized.In theory, we all agree that men and women have the same dignity as persons. But this does not play out in practice.Governments need to commit to eliminate discriminatory laws everywhere and to work toward guaranteeing women’s human rights.Let us respect women. Let us respect their dignity, their basic rights. And if we don’t, our society will not progress.Let us pray that the dignity and worth of women be recognized in every culture, and for an end to the discrimination they face in various parts of the world. The Season of Easter A family prayer for Easter Risen Lord Jesus!We thank you for the joy that you bring to our life as a family through your Resurrection from the dead.Alleluia! Risen Lord Jesus!We have completed our Lenten Journey and we have looked to you during your own time in the desert. We have fasted, prayed and been charitable during the 40 days.Now rejoice that you have conquered sin and death and call us to be an Easter People.Alleluia! Risen Lord Jesus!Your resurrection on Easter Day gives us new life, new hope, a new beginning in your service and in our service of our brothers and sisters.We thank you for this Season of Joy.We ask to bring light out of darkness.Alleluia, alleluia! Easter Prayer for School Alleluia! Jesus is Risen! Lord Jesus, We celebrate your rising to new life. You have given us the hope that nothing can defeat us. You have overcome every challenge, You have proved that the power of evil does not win. You have proved that beyond death is the promise of heaven. We lived through the sadness of you being rejected. Now we stand by you in your victory over suffering. Help us to know that you stand by us and lead us into light. Your Resurrection gives meaning to our Baptism. We are an Easter People. Alleluia! We are Children of the Light. Alleluia! Amen. A prayer in appreciation of the Sacraments Lord God, author of all that is good:through your Son, Jesus Christ, we come to know your life through the Sacraments. During this Easter Season, we thank you for the gift of baptism,and we bless ourselves with the waters of new life.We are reminded of our baptism,which gives us a dignity that can never be taken away. We pray for all those who are preparing for the Sacramentsof Reconciliation, of the Eucharist in First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. Bless those who dedicate themselves to you in Marriage or in the Ordained Ministry: give them the courage and strength to live out their calling and to bear fruit in the world through their faithfulness to you and to your Church. May those who are sick know the healing power of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, reminding them that they are never alone, but always supported by the prayers of the Church, your Holy People. May the journey of our lives always make greater sense, when we see the Sacramental Journey that you map out for us. We ask you to call us to be a people of prayer, in good times and bad,that your Kingdom of Joy may be a future promisebut a reality which has already begun. Amen. A prayer for those preparing for exams this summer Lord God,You give us life,you bestow many gifts upon us,in our uniqueness. We pray especially during these days for young peoplewho are preparing to take exams this summer. Give to them a spirit of peace and the knowledge of your love for them.Do not let them be overwhelmed, but give them the courage to do their best,and the reassurance that you are with them,and that they have no need of fear. Help us all to know that we co-operate with you to shape our life.Give us true vision to see the purpose of these days,that we may come to rejoice when exams are overand the next chapter of our life begins. But let us not wish time away.May every day be known in its sacredness.May we live in your presence always. You believe in us.May we believe in you and trust in your goodness. Through Christ our Lord.Amen. A Reflection before the Blessed SacramentA reflection before the Blessed SacramentOutside the church the noisy traffic flows past. People rush hither and thither. But I have left that world behind and I am here before you, Lord. I do not exclude my brothers and sisters. I bring them with me, for I know that they are equally dear to you. I have nothing. Yet I know that because I have you, I have everything. I close my mind and open my heart, and so I am at peace. Here I experience my true worth, which consists, not in my possessions or achievements, but in knowing that I am loved by you. Sub tuumSub tuum praesidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genetrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. Amen. We fly to thy protection, O holy Mother of God.Despise not our petitions in our necessities,but deliver us always from all dangersO glorious and blessed Virgin. This prayer, first found in c. 300, is the oldest known prayer to the Virgin. A selection of Prayers for Schools Prayer for the Diocesan Vision Written by the Liturgy and Worship group: Spirit of God,descend on me this day.Grant me the Spirit of joy, to lift me,the Spirit of hope to inspire me,the Spirit of love to surround me andthe Spirit of truth to enlighten my path. Holy Spirit,I pray for a new outpouring of your grace,so that I may grow in worship of your namein love of you in my prayerand in my actions towards others. Come Holy Spirit into my life to guide me.Strengthen and defend me,so that I may be drawn ever closer to you.Help me this day and alwaysto be a channel of gracein all I say and doand invite others into relationship with you. Amen Open prayer card Pray with Archbishop Bernard Manage Cookie Preferences