Cycle of Prayer | Ordinary Time: Summer

Ordinary Time: Summer

Further Resources

A Deeper Understanding between Christians and Jews

Background

Prayer

Let us pray also for the Jewish people,
to who the Lord our God spoke first,
that he may grant them to advance in love of his name
and in faithfulness to his covenant.

Almighty ever-living God,
who bestowed your promises on Abraham and his descendants,
graciously hear the prayers of your Church,
that the people you first made your own
may attain the fullness of redemption.

Roman Missal

Prayer of the Faithful

one of the following may be used or adapted according to local needs

  • For all people of faith,
    that mutual respect and the promotion of peace may be a voice for good.
  • For Christian and Jewish believers,
    that their shared heritage of the divine Word of God
    may enrich life and faith and deepen understanding.

Mass Texts

may be used when permitted – see Table of Rubrics

Opportunities and Challenges

  • Organise some Bible study sessions.
  • Hold a course on some aspects of Judaism or on Jesus in his Jewish setting.
  • Ask the schools to hold an assembly on Judaism. Invite a member of the Jewish community to speak.
  • If you live near a synagogue, get to know the Rabbi. Invite him or her to speak to a parish group.
  • Include some books Judaism on your bookstall

Links

Those Who Suffer Persecution, Oppression and Denial of Human Rights

Background

The intention is inspired by the Feast of St John Fisher and St Thomas More (22 June).

Prayer

O God, who in your inscrutable providence
will that the Church be united
to the sufferings of your Son,
grant, we pray, to your faithful
who suffer for your name’s sake
a spirit of patience and charity,
that they may be found true and faithful witnesses
to the promises you have made.

Roman Missal

Prayer of the Faithful

one of the following may be used or adapted according to local needs

  • For the persecuted and voiceless throughout the world,
    may the Church be a place where their voice is heard
    and their dignity promoted.
  • For those in authority,
    that they may protect the rights of each human life.

Mass Texts

may be used when permitted – see Table of Rubrics

  • For promoting harmony
  • For persecuted Christians
  • For our oppressors
  • For those held in captivity

Opportunities and Challenges

Links

Human Life

especially on the Day for Life (3rd Sunday in June)

Background

The origins of the Day for Life are found in St John Paul II’s encyclical Evangelium Vitae. Preparation for the day is shared with the Bishops’ Conferences of Ireland and of Scotland — though each marks the day on a different date. Since its inception it has focussed on a wide range of life issues.

Prayer

O God, our past and future hope,
to you a thousand years are like yesterday,
come and gone.
Teach us to see the world through your eyes,
to recognise the faults of the past,
and, however dimly, to see the future with hope.

Let us seek out the places of hurt
where we can offer your love and compassion.
Find the places of darkness and despair
where your mercy can bring light and comfort.

May we be heralds of a new world
where every human life is treated with dignity,
where all can live and have abundant life.

Day for Life 2017

Prayer of the Faithful

one of the following may be used or adapted according to local needs

  • For all who care for and nurture human life
    from its very beginnings and growth to its final years.
  • For legislators and those in authority,
    may they respect and protect human life in all its stages.

Mass Texts

may be used when permitted – see Table of Rubrics

Opportunities and Challenges

Links

Europe

Background

Pope John Paul II dedicated 6 patron saints to Europe:

  • St Cyril and St Methodius (14 February)
  • St Catherine of Siena (29 April)
  • St Benedict (11 July)
  • St Bridget of Sweden
  • St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross

They reflect the rich spiritual history of the Continent from East to West and across the centuries. In the Cycle of Prayer Europe is remembered in the Summer when a number of the Feasts days occur.

Europe day is marked on 9 May which is the anniversary of the…

Prayer

O God, who gave one origin to all peoples
and willed to gather from them one family for yourself,
fill all hearts, we pray, with the fire of your love
and kindle in them a desire
for the just advancement of their neighbour,
that, through the good things
which you richly bestow upon all,
each human person
may be brought to perfection,
every division may be removed,
and equity and justice may be established in human society.

Roman Missal

Prayer of the Faithful

one of the following may be used or adapted according to local needs

  • For a deepening of knowledge and understanding
    of our common heritage of faith.
  • For an openness to the stranger
    and a care for their needs.

Mass Texts

may be used when permitted – see Table of Rubrics

Opportunities and Challenges

Links

Seafarers

Background

Prayer

Lord God, Redeemer and inspiration of souls,
in the Blessed Virgin Mary, Star of the Sea,
you have provided a light in the storm;
by her favour and prayer,
grant that we may set a course through these times
to reach our safe haven in heaven with you.

Feast of Stella Maris

Prayer of the Faithful

one of the following may be used or adapted according to local needs

  • For those who sail the world to enable our safety and comfort
    and for families left behind,
    that they may know stability and peace.
  • For an appreciation of the food and produce
    which comes to us through seafarers,
    that we may never take their work for granted.

Mass Texts

may be used when permitted – see Table of Rubrics

Opportunities and Challenges

Links