tuesday, DECEMBER 8 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary The Creed precedes the Prayer of the Faithful. Praising God for the mother of Jesus, Send us the Just One. That the Church may lovingly carry God s Word to all people, That single mothers and their children may have aid and support, That mothers may be assured of medical care and security before and after giving birth, That the sick may find comfort in the presence of the Mother of God, That we may open our lives to Emmanuel, That (add intention), That the dead may join Mary and all the saints in the heavenly city, God of mystery, you chose a daughter of Israel to bear your eternal Word. May Mary s example of openness and humility, courage and faith, inspire us to become ever more open to the grace you offer in Jesus Christ, Son of Mary and your Son, who is Lord for ever and ever. Lectionary 689 Genesis 3:9 15, 20; Psalm 98:1, 2 3, 3 4; Ephesians 1:3 6, 11 12; Luke 1:26 38
wednesday, January 6 The Days of Christmas Optional Memorial of St. André Bessette, Religious Awash in the world, storm-tossed and uncertain, Abide with us. That the Church may be a refuge of faith and hope for all people, That the baptized may look with courage to their Savior, That fear among nations, cultures, and religions may give way to the love that upholds all creation, That the sick may hear the reassuring voice of the One who can heal them, That our hearts may be open to the signs and wonders of God s power among us, That (add intention), That the dead may be lifted up to the mountain of God, Call out to us in mercy, Lord of sea and sky, and calm us in our fear. May our faith in the Word-made-flesh be both refuge and strength, that we may be astounded by his power to save, for Christ lives and reigns for ever and ever. Lectionary 214 1 John 4:11 18; Psalm 72:1 2, 10, 12 13; Mark 6:45 52
wednesday, february 3 Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr Optional Memorial of St. Ansgar, Bishop Attentive to the son of Mary, Lord, hear our prayer. For preachers who pass on Christ s wisdom, For prophets who speak bold words among their own people, For children who astound their elders with insight, For the stubborn, who close their ears to words of challenge, For those who seek healing from their Teacher, For (add intention), For all who wait in death for the salvation offered by a carpenter, God of surprises, in a simple carpenter your Word is made flesh, and we are astounded by his teaching. Open our ears to Christ s wisdom speaking in our sisters and brothers, that our stubborn hearts may welcome your teaching and rejoice in your salvation. This we ask in Jesus name. Lectionary 325 2 Samuel 24:2, 9 17; Psalm 32:1 2, 5, 6, 7; Mark 6:1 6
MONDAY, march 7 Fourth Week of Lent Optional Memorial of Ss. Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs With trust in the One who can heal us, Have mercy, God, in your kindness. For preachers and pastors, for all who announce God s healing mercy, For spiritual directors and guides, for all who walk with others on the way to wholeness, For parents and grandparents, for all who care for children in sickness and in health, For physicians and nurses, technicians and caregivers, for all who meet the needs of the sick, For the bereaved and long-grieving, for all who mourn the loss of those they love, For (add intention), For the dead, for all whom we love and see no longer, Deliver us from the power of death, O God, giver and restorer of life. By your healing word bring an end to sorrow and grief, that we may rise up to praise you in Christ Jesus your Son. Lectionary 244 Isaiah 65:17 21; Psalm 30:2 and 4, 5 6, 11 12a and 13b; John 4:43 54 At any weekday Mass during the fourth week of Lent, the readings found at Lect. 243 may be proclaimed.
Thursday, April 21 Fourth Week of Easter Optional Memorial of St. Anselm, Bishop and Doctor of the Church Ready to welcome all who seek a place among us, Hear our prayer, God of life. That Christian communities may warmly accept all who seek Christ, That Christian homes may be sources of comfort and aid for those in trouble, That hospitality may repair divisions among Christ s followers, That the poor and hungry may be satisfied at the Church s table, That the sick may be treated as honored guests, That (add intention), That the dead may enjoy God s eternal hospitality, We praise you, generous God, for with you all are welcome. Give us spirits ready to share what you have given, that all may find a place at the Church s earthly table and come also to share in the heavenly feast, where Christ the Host lives and reigns for ever and ever. Lectionary 282 Acts 13:13 25; Psalm 89:2 3, 21 22, 25 and 27; John 13:16 20
ThursDAY, May 5 Sixth Week of Easter In Provinces where the celebration of Ascension is transferred to the Seventh Sunday of Easter, the following readings are used on this Thursday. Proclaiming the Good News at work and at home, Hear our prayer, God of life. For ordained ministers and church workers, For members of parish councils and school boards, For volunteer catechists, youth ministers, and liturgists, For coordinators of social ministries and activists for social justice, For those who serve the sick and the dying, For all who serve churches with love and commitment, For (add intention), For those who hold the dead before God in prayer, God of mission, you call the baptized to proclaim Christ raised from the dead. Give us new energy to build up Christ s body, that churches may grow in unity and together glorify your name through the same Jesus Christ who lives and reigns for ever and ever. LECTIONARY 294 Acts 18:1 8; Psalm 98:1, 2 3ab, 3cd 4; John 16:16 20
Saturday, June 18 Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary With thanksgiving for God s provident care, Lord, hear our prayer. For those who embody God s love for others, For the lilies of the field and the birds of the air, For those who go without proper clothing and food, For those anxious about the future, For those who do not know God s love for them, For those overcome with worry about their health, For all who trust in the faithfulness of God, For (add intention), For those who await the gift of eternal life, God of good gifts, you feed the birds from your bounty and adorn the fields with flowers. Help us to trust in your provident care, that anxiety may be banished from our hearts and we may give thanks for your many gifts, for you live and reign for ever and ever. LECTIONARY 370 2 Chronicles 24:17 25; Psalm 89:4 5, 29 30, 31 32, 33 34; Matthew 6:24 34
Monday, July 4 Independence Day Citizens of God s kingdom of peace, Lord, hear our prayer. For Christian churches and all faith communities in the United States, For the president and members of Congress and the judiciary, For those who yet suffer discrimination in the land of the free, For those who work for justice and equality, For day laborers and migrant workers, For the forgotten poor and homeless, For those who go without health care, For all who celebrate July Fourth as a day of freedom, For (add intention), For those who have died serving their country, Just and loving God, our greatest treasure is the peace of the country to come. Bless the United States and all nations with a hunger and thirst for justice and peace, that all the world s citizens may share in creation s abundance and so live together in freedom. This we ask in Jesus name. Lectionary 594A Numbers 6:22 27 (882-4); Psalm 85:9ab 10, 11 12, 13 14 (884-3); Matthew 5:1 12a (886-1)
monday, August 15 Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary The Creed precedes the Prayer of the Faithful. Rejoicing with Mary in the end of death s dominion, Lord, hear our prayer. For all God s people, heirs of the Resurrection, For all women, made in the image of God, For mothers and grandmothers, nurturers of God s image in children, For the sick, trusting with Mary in God s promises, For all of us, disciples with Mary of her Son, For (add intention), For the deceased, hoping to share with Mary the glory of her Son, God of holiness, the sting of death is forever swallowed in Christ s triumphant resurrection. Through the intercession of Mary, may we come to share the glory of her Son, and so join her and all the saints around your heavenly throne, for you live and reign for ever and ever. Lectionary 621 (vigil) 1 Chronicles 15:3 4, 15 16; 16:1 2; Psalm 132:6 7, 9 10, 13 14; 1 Corinthians 15:54b 57; Luke 11:27 28 Lectionary 622 (day) Revelation 11:19a; 12:1 6a, 10ab; Psalm 45:10, 11, 12, 16; 1 Corinthians 15:20 27; Luke 1:39 56
ThursDAY, September 15 Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows In solidarity with those wrapped in sorrow, Lord, hear our prayer. For Christians beaten down by repression and persecution, For mothers who mourn the deaths of children, For victims of torture, oppression, and violence, For the disappeared and political prisoners, For those who suffer illness and face death alone, For all who carry the marks of suffering on their bodies or in their hearts, For (add intention), For all who have died at the hands of the unjust, and for all the dead, Fountain of compassion, you hear the prayers of the sorrowful, for you care for us as a mother cares for her children. Sustain us in times of sorrow and comfort us in our grief. May our faith in you bring us hope and give us strength in sadness. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ, Son of Mary and your Son, who is Lord for ever and ever. Lectionary 446/639 1 Corinthians 15:1 11; Psalm 118:1b 2, 16ab 17, 28; John 19:25 27 or Luke 2:33 35
TuesDAY, October 18 Feast of St. Luke, Evangelist Upholding one another in good times and bad, Hear our prayer, God of life. That Christian communities may be places of encouragement and support, That the anxious and discouraged may find hope in the presence of family and friends, That those in prison and those awaiting trial may find comfort and aid in Jesus disciples, That the sick may find healing and hope among the followers of Jesus, That we, like Luke, may share with others the Good News we have received, That (add intention), That the faithful departed may rejoice in the gospel promise, Divine Companion, you accompany us in life with family and friends, sisters and brothers in faith. Send us forth in service to the forgotten and abandoned, that Christ s healing presence may comfort and uphold all in need of your care. We make our prayer in Jesus name. Lectionary 661 2 Timothy 4:10 17b; Psalm 145:10 11, 12 13, 17 18; Luke 10:1 9
ThursDAY, November 24 Memorial of St. Andrew Dũng-Lạc, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs Texts for a proper Mass for Thanksgiving Day can be found on the following page. Awake, alert, and watchful in prayer, Lord, hear our prayer. That the Church may be a sign of hope in tribulation, That Christ may find justice among the nations on the day of glory, That those who suffer the terrors of war, natural disaster, and poverty may find comfort and help, That the sick may be consoled by their hope in the fulfillment of God s promise, That we may be watchful for the Messiah s return, That (add intention), That the dead may be found worthy to stand before the Son of Man, Source of hope and strength, you cast out fear and give us courage as we await the revelation of the Son of Man. May Christ s return find us awake and watchful, busy about the work of your reign and ready to join him in glory, for Christ is Lord for ever and ever. Lectionary 506 Revelation 18:1 2, 21 23; 19:1 3, 9a; Psalm 100:1b 2, 3, 4, 5; Luke 21:20 28