26TH INTERNATIONAL WEEK OF PRAYER AND FASTING OPENING DAY ALL DAY PRAYER VIGIL SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 29TH,2018 BASILICA OF THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION WASHINGTON, D.C. YOUTH PROGRAM PROVIDED BY PRAY+FAST WWW.CONQUESTYOUTHMINISTRY.COM WWW.CHALLENGEYOUTHMINISTRY.COM WWW.IWOPF.ORG
SEPTEMBER 29TH TO OCTOBER 7TH, 2018 HOW IT WORKS You can use this program at the International Week of Prayer and Fasting event in D.C. during the week of Sept 29th to October 7th, 2018 or follow along at your parish or school, using the online youth program as a guide. You can join in as a youth group, classroom, family or individually. The program has ideas for each day that you can do personally or as part of a larger group. Sign up on the Challenge and Conquest websites to receive a daily email during the week of the IWOPF with activities, prayers, links to videos, and resources. The guide for the Youth Program is this FREE 9-day booklet with curriculum, activities and online resources for the entire week. Printed copies of the booklet available on the opening day (9.29.2018) at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. The Challenge & Conquest websites have pages with the online resources available for each day of the 9 days. The Youth Program is not complete without these online videos, games, reflections, for 4 different age groups: Kindergarten to 12th grade. 9 DAY PROGRAM INCLUDES THEME: SPIRITUAL FOCUS TO READ: SAINT AND GOSPEL REFLECTION TO PRAY: SPECIAL PRAYER TO SAY DURING THE DAY TO DO: AND GROUP ACTIVITIES FOR 4 AGE GROUPS ALL MATERIAL AND RESOURCES ARE FROM CHALLENGE AND CONQUEST YOUTH MINISTRY CURRICULUM
THEME INTRODUCTION TO THE WEEK OF PRAYER + FASTING From September 29th - October 7th, 2018, we unite our minds and hearts to pray and fast for these four goals: For Peace and the Conversion of all Peoples and Nations To Build a Culture of Life To Defend the Sanctity of Marriage and Family Life To Pray for Holiness for His Church PRAYER PRAYER TO THE ARCHANGELS Heavenly King,You have given us archangels to assist us during our pilgrimage on earth. Saint Michael is our protector; I ask him to come to my aid, fight for all my loved ones, and protect us from danger. Saint Gabriel is a messenger of the Good News; I ask him to help me clearly hear Your voice and to teach me the truth. Saint Raphael is the healing angel; I ask him to take my need for healing and that of everyone I know, lift it up to Your throne of grace and deliver back to us the gift of recovery. Help us, O Lord, to realize more fully the reality of the archangels and their desire to serve us. Holy angels, pray for us. Amen. Today, say the prayer to the Archangels three times. Offer it for your family and peace in the world. SEPTEMBER 29TH, 2018 DAY 1 SAINT THE ARCHANGELS ST MICHEAL, ST RAPHEAL AND ST GABRIEL St. Michael as one of the arc angels or chief princes, and leader of the angels of heaven in their triumph over the powers of hell. He has been honored and invoked as patron and protector by the Church, from the time of the first apostles. MORE INFO ONLINE TO READ: SAINT MICHEAL S STORY AND THE ENTIRE PASSAGE WITH REFLECTION QUESTIONS. If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. MATTHEW 14:17-20
SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2018 DAY 2 THEME THE POWER OF PRAYER Prayer is a powerful force that moves the hearts of people and changes the world. Nothing can replace prayer in a person s life. Prayer is simply talking to God and listening to Him. You can pray anywhere, any time and for anyone. There are some places that help us pray better, like an Adoration Chapel or before the Blessed Sacrament. Today is all about believing in the power of prayer and dedicating time to pray. MATTHEW 6 : 5-15 When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. PRAYER PRAYER FOR MERCY O Lord, show Your mercy to me and gladden my heart. I am like the man on the way to Jericho who was overtaken by robbers, wounded and left for dead. O Good Samaritan, come to my aid. I am like the sheep that went astray. O Good Shepherd, seek me out and bring me home in accord with Your will. Let me dwell in Your house all the days of my life and praise You for ever and ever with those who are there. Amen. - ST JEROME Today, think about how many times we worry about things in our lives. Instead of worrying, try to do Adoration and pray more before the Blessed Sacrament. SAINT ST JEROME St. Jerome is one of the most important saints of the early Church. He lived in the years 300 to 400. He helped translate the Bible into Latin so that it could be spread throughout the world. His writings show his deep faith. He once wrote God is never slow in giving, nor am I ever weary of receiving. The more I drink, the more thirsty I become. MORE INFO ONLINE TO READ : SAINT JEROME S STORY AND THE ENTIRE PASSAGE WITH REFLECTION QUESTIONS.
THEME THE POWER OF "Our Lord does not so much look at the greatness of our actions, or even at their difficulty, as at the love with which we do them." - St Therese of the Child Jesus Sacrifice is not only about denying ourselves, but rather it is about loving someone enough to put them first. As St Therese says, love is what makes our sacrifices valuable in the eyes of God. When we love other people, we can make sacrifices for their sake to show them our love. Today is about sacrificing ourselves in the little things to show our love for God and for the souls who are in most need of prayer. PRAYER PRAYER TO ST THERESE O Little Therese of the Child Jesus, please pick a rose for me from the heavenly gardens and send it to me as a message of love. O Little Flower of Jesus, ask God today to grant the favors I now place with confidence In your hands. (Mention your specific requests) St. Therese, help me to always believe, as you did, in God's great love for me, so that I might imitate your "Little Way" each day. Amen. SAINT OCTOBER 1ST, 2018 DAY 3 ST THERESE OF LISIEUX AKA THE LITTLE FLOWER OR ST THERESE OF CHILD JESUS St Therese lived in France in the 1800s. When she was only 15 years old, she asked the Pope if she could become a nun. She joined the Carmelites and was a great example of prayer and love for Christ. She was a missionary of love from inside the convent, living only until she was 25. Today, make a special sacrifice by putting other people s plans and needs before your own. Try to deny yourself by thinking about other people. MORE INFO ONLINE TO READ: SAINT THERESE S STORY AND THE ENTIRE PASSAGE WITH REFLECTION QUESTIONS. Standing by the cross of Jesus was his mother Mary. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, Woman, behold, your son. JOHN 19:25-30
OCTOBER 2ND, 2018 DAY 4 THEME THE CULTURE OF LIFE Concern for the child, even before birth, from the first moment of conception and then throughout the years of infancy and youth, is the primary and fundamental test of the relationship of one human being to another. (Saint John Paul II. Oct. 2, 1979) These words explain why we as Catholics believe and promote a culture of life in society. Today is all about praying for respect for every human life at all stages, ages and circumstances. MATTHEW 25 :35-40 I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me. PRAYER PRAYER FOR LIFE O God, our Creator, all life is in your hands from conception until death. Help us to cherish children and to reverence the awesome privilege of our share in creation. May all people live and die in dignity and love. Bless all those who defend the rights of the unborn, the handicapped and the aged. Enlighten and be merciful to those who fail to love life and give them peace. Let freedom be tempered by responsibility, integrity and morality. Amen. Today, pray for a pregnant mother who is in need. Say a prayer for someone who cares for the elderly and sick. Try to visit the elderly or a sick person today. SAINT THE GUARDIAN ANGELS From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life. Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God. [Catechism #336] MORE INFO ONLINE TO READ : ABOUT THE GUARDIAN ANGELS AND THE ENTIRE PASSAGE WITH REFLECTION QUESTIONS.
THEME THE CONVERSION OF THE WORLD "Do not be afraid to go and to bring Christ into every area of life, to the fringes of society, even to those who seem farthest away, most indifferent. - Pope Francis Conversion of heart is giving God his rightful place in the center of our hearts. Everyone needs to have a conversion of heart, away from sin and towards God. When we talk about the conversion of the world, we are referring to our effort to help people place God at the center of their lives. A great gift in the Catholic Church is the sacrament of Confession, which leads us all to true conversion and repentance. PRAYER PRAYER FOR THE CONVERSION OF SINNERS Lord Jesus Christ, most merciful Saviour of the world, we humbly beseech You, by Your most Sacred Heart, that all the sheep who stray out of Your fold may in one days be converted to You, the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls, who lives and reigns with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen. Today, pray for the conversion of someone who you know needs God in their life. Try to go to confession today if you can. 5TH 6TH 7TH 8TH HIGH SCHOOL OCTOBER 3RD, 2018 DAY 5 SAINT ST GERARD OF BROGNE St Gerard born in Beligium about 1200 years ago to the royal family. He felt like God wanted him to become a priest and he became a monk. He built a monastery and was known as a reformer and teacher. He was an important instrument of conversion in France and Beligium. MORE INFO ONLINE TO READ: SAINT GERARD S STORY AND THE ENTIRE PASSAGE WITH REFLECTION QUESTIONS. Jesus said, Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these? Peter said to him, Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. Jesus said to him, Feed my lambs. JOHN 21:15-23
OCTOBER 4TH, 2018 DAY 6 THEME PRAYER FOR PEACE St Mother Teresa of Calcutta spoke often about peace. She said, Peace begins with a smile...if we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten we belong to one another. The first step to peace is kindness, understanding and love. Today is a day where we can focus on kindness with those around us and praying for people to overcome their differences to make a more peaceful world. Selfishness and hate breed war and fear. LUKE 7 : 36-50 Jesus said, Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you; go in peace. PRAYER ST FRANCIS PRAYER Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy; O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. Today, pray for peace among people you know who are fighting. Pray for peace in your family and in your country. Pray for peace in the many countries at war. SAINT ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI St Francis grew up in Italy in a small town of Assisi. He left his wealth to serve the poor and become a monk. He preached the gospel teaching powerfully, leading others to follow his example. His spirituality of peace, love for everyone and everything are still lived today in the Fransiscan order. MORE INFO ONLINE TO READ : SAINT FRANCIS LIFE STORY AND THE ENTIRE PASSAGE WITH REFLECTION QUESTIONS.
THEME DIVINE MERCY "For there are three ways of performing an act of mercy: the merciful word, by forgiving and by comforting; secondly, if you can offer no word, then pray - that too is mercy; and thirdly, deeds of mercy. And when the Last Day comes, we shall be judged from this, and on this basis we will receive the eternal verdict. -St Faustina OCTOBER 5TH, 2018 DAY 7 The message of The Divine Mercy is simple. It is that God loves all of us and, he wants us to recognize that His mercy is greater than our sins, so that we will call upon Him with trust, receive His mercy, and let it flow through us to others. Thus, all will come to share His joy. We should ask God for his mercy and we should be merciful, completely trusting in Jesus. PRAYER ST FAUSTINA S PRAYER TO BE MERCIFUL Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge from appearaces, but rather look for what is beautiful in my neighbors souls. Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds. Amen. Today, pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet around the hour of mercy (3:00pm). Offer this prayer for the people in need of God s mercy. SAINT ST FAUSTINA KOWALSKA Faustina lived in Poland during both World Wars. She became a nun and recieved special apparitions from Jesus with revelations and messages. Our Lord asked Faustina to write these messages and devotions in a diary, which is now the basis for the Divine Mercy Devotions. MORE INFO ONLINE TO READ: SAINT FAUSTINA S STORY AND THE ENTIRE PASSAGE WITH REFLECTION QUESTIONS. His father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him, saying This son of mine was was lost, and has been found. LUKE 15:1-32
OCTOBER 6TH, 2018 DAY 8 THEME HOLINESS + VOCATIONS Today is a day where we can focus on praying for those in our Church who have answered God s call and followed a special vocation to the priesthood, religious or consecrated life. They lead us in our faith and we need to pray for their strength and holiness. Following a religious vocation is a unique way to serve the Church and mankind. Priests bring us the sacraments and we should be grateful to them for their sacrifice and service. MATTHEW 9: 35-38 Jesus said, The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. PRAYER PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS God our Father, we thank you for calling people to serve as priests, deacons, nuns and consecrated. Send your Holy Spirit to help those who are called to respond courageously to this special vocation. May we, as Catholics, support vocations because they will be the future of the Church. Amen. We all have a vocation. We believe that God has placed us in this life to fill a special need that no one else can accomplish. - St Francis de Sales Today, pray for the Pope, bishops, priests, nuns and consecrated people in your community. Pray for men who are maybe considering a vocation to the priesthood. SAINT ST BRUNO St Bruno lived about 1000 years ago in Germany. He decided to be a priest when he was young and was ordained when he was 25 years old. He was a brillant teacher and professor. Even the Pope would ask advice from him. He was known for his holiness and wisdom and started the Carthusians. MORE INFO ONLINE TO READ : SAINT BRUNO S LIFE STORY AND THE ENTIRE PASSAGE WITH REFLECTION QUESTIONS.
THEME DEFEND THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE + FAMILY LIFE "The family is a human and divine reality that should be defended and promoted as a fundamental social good. - St John Paul II OCTOBER 7TH, 2018 DAY 9 PRAYER PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY FOR HELP O Virgin Mary, grant that the recitation of thy Rosary may be for me each day, in the midst of my manifold duties, a bond of unity in my actions, a tribute of filial piety, a sweet refreshment, an encouragement to walk joyfully along the path of duty. Grant, above all, O Virgin Mary, that the study of thy twenty mysteries may form in my soul, little by little, a luminous atmosphere, pure, strengthening, and fragrant, which may penetrate my understanding, my will, my heart, my memory, my imagination, my whole being. So shall I acquire the habit of praying while I work, without the aid of formal prayers, by interior acts of admiration and of supplication, or by aspirations of love. I ask this of thee, O Queen of the Holy Rosary, through Saint Dominic, thy son of predilection, the renowned preacher of thy mysteries, and the faithful imitator of thy virtues. Amen. Today, pray the Holy Rosary for all of your family members and for families in the world who have been seperated from each other because of war. SAINT OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated on October 7th because in 1571, it was the day the Christian army was victorious over the Ottoman navy at the Battle of Lepanto. It seemed hope was lost and through the power of the rosary, the battle was won and many lives were saved. MORE INFO ONLINE TO READ: THE STORY OF LEPANTO BATTLE AND THE ENTIRE PASSAGE WITH REFLECTION QUESTIONS. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. LUKE 2:41-52
Challenge & Conquest are Catholic Youth Ministry programs for boys and girls in 5th 12th grade to grow in knowledge of their Catholic faith, friendship with Christ, and make a difference and positive impact on their families, friends and in the world around them. Challenge & Conquest are proven to be a successful youth ministry option for the past 15 years in the US and Canada. They are currently present in over 250 parishes & schools with over 6,500 youth every week, led by 300 adult leaders and 700 teen leaders. Offering over 45 summer camps with 2,000 campers every year. Challenge Jr and Conquest Jr are programs for boys & girls in K-4th grade to learn about faith, virtue and prayer. To find out more visit our websites and download the free Challenge & Conquest Info Book. www.challengeyouthministry.com www.conquestyouthministry.com customerservice@ missionnetwork.com 1.855.556.6872 store.missionnetwork.com