SCJ Philippine District

Father most holy,
in your Son Jesus Christ
you have given all creatures salvation and forgiveness:
look upon us, whom you have consecrated
in the name of your Only-Begotten Son.
In a world often restless and violent,
may we to be messengers of glad tidings to the poor,
heralds of mercy and reconciliation,
makers of peace.

Today let us not harden our hearts
as our fathers did in the desert,
but receiving the fire of your Holy Spirit,
may we welcome the Word of life
with the docility of Mary, the Mother of the Lord,
of Francis of Assisi
and of countless other witnesses of faith.

May your word
penetrate us like a sharp sword;
may it help us to know the paths of mutual forgiveness
more than "seven times seven";
may it teach us to build communities of faith
open to ever greater communion;
may it teach us to be peacemakers
so that the civilization of love
will bear witness to the Kingdom that is and that will come.
Through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

John Paul II