A group of young people in Ireland has come together to initiate a Novena of prayer for the Church in Ireland, in particular, and for Ireland generally.
The intentions presented in the Novena are as follows:
- In atonement for the sins of some within the Church in Ireland and for all those hurt by them.
- For all of our priests and bishops, the guilty that they might find God’s mercy, and the innocent that God might support them in this difficult time.
- For the healing and renewal of the Catholic Church in Ireland.
The prayers for the Novena are: the recitation of the Rosary each day, together with Pope Benedict XVI’s prayer for Ireland each day also. In addition, the young people ask everyone to offer up their Mass on the Feast of the Assumption, for the Church in Ireland.
The Novena takes place for the nine days from 7 August up to the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady on 15 August. Although the Novena started yesterday, Sunday, no prayers ever go unheard – so please start praying the Novena from today.
Here is the Pope’s prayer for the Church in Ireland:
God of our fathers,
renew us in the faith which is our life and salvation,
the hope which promises forgiveness and interior renewal,
the charity which purifies and opens our hearts
to love you, and in you, each of our brothers and sisters.
Lord Jesus Christ,
may the Church in Ireland renew her age-old commitment
to the education of our young people in the way of truth and goodness, holiness and generous service to society.Holy Spirit, comforter, advocate and guide,
inspire a new springtime of holiness and apostolic zeal
for the Church in Ireland.
May our sorrow and our tears,
Our sincere effort to redress past wrongs,
and our firm purpose of amendment
bear an abundant harvest of grace
for the deepening of the faith
in our families, parishes, schools and communities,
for the spiritual progress of Irish society,
and the growth of charity, justice, joy and peace
within the whole human family.
To you, Triune God,
confident in the loving protection of Mary,
Queen of Ireland, our Mother,
and of Saint Patrick, Saint Brigid and all the saints,
do we entrust ourselves, our children,
and the needs of the Church in Ireland.
