September 2023: Prayers and Reflections
The Pope’s Monthly Intention
For people living on the margins: We pray for those persons living on the margins of society, in inhumane life conditions; may they not be overlooked by institutions and never considered of lesser importance.
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Prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows • Memorial 15 September
Our mother of sorrows, with strength from above you stood by the cross, sharing in the sufferings of Jesus, and with tender care you bore him in your arms, mourning and weeping.
We praise you for your faith, which accepted the life God planned for you. We praise you for your hope, which trusted that God would do great things in you. We praise you for your love in bearing with Jesus the sorrows of his passion.
Holy Mary, may we follow your example, and stand by all your children who need comfort and love.
Mother of God, stand by us in our trials and care for us in our many needs. Pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
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Prayer for Migrants and Refugees • World Day 24 September
Lord, make us bearers of hope,
so that where there is darkness,
your light may shine,
and where there is discouragement,
confidence in the future may be reborn.
Lord, make us instruments of your justice,
so that where there is exclusion, fraternity may flourish,
and where there is greed, a spirit of sharing may grow.
Lord, make us builders of your Kingdom,
together with migrants and refugees
and with all who dwell on the peripheries.
Lord, let us learn how beautiful it is
to live together as brothers and sisters. Amen.
Pope Francis
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Thoughts of St Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio)
Memorial 23 September
Pray, hope and don’t worry. Worry is useless. Our Merciful Lord will listen to your prayer. Do not worry over things that generate preoccupation, derangement and anxiety. One thing only is necessary: to lift up your spirit and love God.
If we are calm and persevering, we shall find not only ourselves, but our souls, and with that, God Himself.
Continue to be patient – it will all be for your good.
Even if the world were to capsize, if everything were to become dark, hazy, tumultuous, God would still be with us.
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St Ciarán of Clonmacnois • Memorial 9 September
Growing up, Ciarán was renowned for his love of animals and vice-versa.
When he went to study with Finian of Clonard, he brought his own cow with him to the monastery, a common enough practice in itself. The milk yield of the cow was anything but common, however, and she produced sufficient for the whole monastery!
When he was dying Ciarán remained down-to-earth and unsentimental, his missionary zeal undiminished. He told his disciples: ‘Go ye, let my relics bleach in the sun like the bones of a deer; better for you to dwell in heaven with me, than here with my relics.’
Prayer to St Ciarán
Watch over your people, Teacher and Friend, Help us to see God’s presence
Prayerful youth, inspire the young
Pilgrim for God, be with all Missionaries,
Steep us in Gospel ways, Protector and patron,
Confirm our faith so that we may walk anew with Christ. Amen.
ardaghdiocese.org
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Quotes from Laudato Si’
- ‘Because all creatures are connected, each must be cherished with love and respect, for all of us as living creatures are dependent on one another’ (#42).
- ‘Our insistence that each human being is an image of God should not make us overlook the fact that each creature has its own purpose. None is superfluous. The entire material universe speaks of God’s love, his boundless affection for us. Soil, water, mountains: everything is, as it were, a caress of God’ (#84).
- ‘When we fail to acknowledge as part of reality the worth of a poor person, a human embryo, a person with disabilities – to offer just a few examples – it becomes difficult to hear the cry of nature itself; everything is connected’ (#117).
- ‘The universe unfolds in God, who fills it completely. Hence, there is a mystical meaning to be found in a leaf, in a mountain trail, in a dewdrop, in a poor person’s face. The ideal is not only to pass from the exterior to the interior to discover the action of God in the soul, but also to discover God in all things’ (#233).
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