May 2023: Prayers and Reflections
Intercom Magazine Prayers and Reflections
May 2023
The Pope’s Monthly Intention
For church movements and groups: We pray that Church movements and groups may rediscover their mission of evangelisation each day, placing their own charisms at the service of needs in the world.
* * *
Prayer to St Joseph Patron of Workers
Feast, 1 May
Blessed St Joseph, patron of all working people, thank you for the opportunity to build up God’s kingdom through my labours. Help me to be conscientious in my work so that I may give as full a measure as I have received.
May I do all things in a spirit of thankfulness and joy, ever mindful of the gifts I have received from God that enable me to perform these tasks. Permit me to work in peace, patience, and moderation, keeping in mind the account I must one day give of time lost, talents unused, good omitted, and vanity of success, so fatal to the work of God. Glorious St Joseph, may my labors be all for Jesus, all through Mary, and all after your holy example in life and in death. Amen.
* * *
Day of Prayer for the Church in China
24 May
Dear brothers and sisters of the universal Church, all of us are called to recognise as one of the signs of our times everything that is happening today in the life of the Church in China. We have an important duty: to accompany our brothers and sisters in China with fervent prayer and fraternal friendship. Indeed, they need to feel that in the journey that now lies ahead, they are not alone. They need to be accepted and supported as a vital part of the Church.
Mother of Heaven, hear the plea of your children as we humbly call upon your name!
Virgin of Hope, we entrust to you the journey of the faithful in the noble land of China. We ask you to present to the Lord of history the trials and tribulations, the petitions and the hopes of all those who pray to you, O Queen of Heaven!
Mary, Help of Christians, for China we implore days of blessing and of peace. Amen!
Pope Francis
* * *
World Communications Day
21 May
May the Lord Jesus, the pure Word poured out from the heart of the Father, help us to make our communication clear, open and heartfelt.
May the Lord Jesus, the Word made flesh, help us listen to the beating of hearts, to rediscover ourselves as brothers and sisters, and to disarm the hostility that divides.
May the Lord Jesus, the Word of truth and love, help us speak the truth in charity, so that we may feel like protectors of one another. Amen.
Pope Francis Message for World Communications Day 2023
* * *
St Philip Neri (1515-1595)
26 May
Short quotes from St Philip Neri
‘A glad spirit attains perfection more quickly than any other.’
‘I will have no sadness in my house.’
‘Christian joy is a gift of God flowing from a good conscience.’
‘Cheerfulness strengthens the heart and makes us try harder to have a good life, thus God’s servants must always be in good spirits.’
‘A heart filled with joy is more easily made perfect than one that is sad.’
* * *
St Rita of Cascia (1386-1457)
Patron saint of those suffering from domestic violence or abuse
Feast Day 22 May
Loving God, be with all men and women who are in doubt about their intimate relationships. Give them clarity of mind and peaceful hearts so that they can make good decisions guided by Your love. Let those who must, discern any abuse that may exist so that they can learn to care for themselves with Your help. Let those who must, acknowledge that they are harming the other, so they can learn to abhor their own behavior and come to true repentance and amendment of life. Keep us all safe in our relationships. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
* * *