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 March The Pope Video Let us pray that those who risk their lives for the Gospel in various parts of the world might imbue the Church with their courage and missionary drive. Pope Francis – March 2024 This month, I want to tell you a story that is a reflection of the Church today. It is the story of a little-known witness of faith.Visiting a refugee camp in Lesbos, a man told me, “Father, I am Muslim. My wife was Christian. Terrorists came to our place, looked at us and asked what our religion was. They approached my wife with a crucifix and told her to throw it on the ground. She didn’t do it, and they slit her throat in front of me.” That’s what happened.I know he held no grudges. He was focused on his wife’s example of love, a love for Christ that led her to accept, and to be faithful to the point of death.Brothers, sisters, there will always be martyrs among us. This is a sign that we’re on the right path.A person who knows told me there are more martyrs today than at the beginning of Christianity.The courage of the martyrs, the witness of the martyrs, is a blessing for everyone.Let us pray that those who risk their lives for the Gospel in various parts of the world might imbue the Church with their courage and missionary drive. And to be open to the grace of martyrdom. The Season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday, 14 February The grace of forty days Time to make the desert journeyand renew our way to life. Time for testing and for changing.Time to trust the word of God. Time to recognise holy presenceand share Cyrene's work. Time for forgiveness and for healingand to repent our broken lives. Time to build God's dwelling with usand proclaim full life for all. Time to watch and wait with Jesusand to prepare the upper room. Time to turn our lives again to Godand to transform our world with love. Amen. Prayer: Pat Pierce/CAFOD Lenten meditation Lord Jesus, when I am sad and depressedHelp me think of you praying in the garden. Lord Jesus, when I am fearfulhelp me to think of you being taken prisoner. Lord Jesus, when I am illhelp me to think of you being scourged at the pillar. Lord Jesus, when I have a headachehelp me to think of you wearing the crown of thorns. Lord Jesus, when I am tiredhelp me to think of you carrying the cross for love of me. Lord Jesus, when I am humiliatedhelp me to think of you being stripped of your garments. Lord Jesus, when I am in painhelp me to think of you being nailed to the cross. Lord Jesus, when I am lonelyhelp me to think of you hanging on the cross. Lord Jesus, when I am dyingHelp me to think of you dying on the cross for love of me. Lord Jesus, help me to rememberhow much you suffered for love of meand help me to love you more and more. Amen. Diana Ng-Sutherland, CAFOD CAFOD Lent Prayers The Fast LifeFast from judging others;Feast on Christ dwelling in them.Fast from fear of illness;Feast on the healing power of God.Fast from words that pollute;Feast on speech that purifies.Fast from discontent;Feast on gratitude.Fast from anger;Feast on patience.Fast from pessimism;Feast on hope.Fast from negatives;Feast on encouragement.Fast from bitterness;Feast on forgiveness.Fast from self-concern;Feast on compassion.Fast from suspicion;Feast on truth.Fast from gossip;Feast on purposeful silence.Fast from problems that overwhelm;Feast on prayer that sustains.Fast from anxiety;Feast on faith.- Author Unknown Lent prayer for school Lord Jesus,for forty days and forty nights,you fasted and prayed. That gives meaning to these forty days.Keep us close to you. During this holy season,we are called to think less of ourselvesand more about you and about the needs of others. The ashes we receive make us humble.The money we give to charity gives life to others. As we pray, may we think of the many people who need our prayers.May we believe in the power of prayer to make a difference. Even as we go without some things that we like, this Lent,make us always joyful in your service. Amen. Litany of HumilityO Jesus! meek and humble of heart…Hear me.From the desire of being esteemed …Deliver me, Jesus. From the desire of being loved...Deliver me, Jesus.From the desire of being extolled ...From the desire of being honoured ...From the desire of being praised ...From the desire of being preferred to others...From the desire of being consulted ...From the desire of being approved ...From the fear of being humiliated ...From the fear of being despised...From the fear of suffering rebukes ...From the fear of being calumniated ...From the fear of being forgotten ...From the fear of being ridiculed ...From the fear of being wronged ...From the fear of being suspected ... That others may be loved more than I,…Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.That others may be esteemed more than I ... Jesus, grant me the grace to desire itThat, in the opinion of the world,others may increase and I may decrease ...That others may be chosen and I set aside ...That others may be praised and I unnoticed ...That others may be preferred to me in everything...That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should… 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 Lent and Easter resources 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