19th century – ceiling painting by the nuns in cloister at the Monastery of Light, São Paulo.

A Prayer for Religious Priests, Brothers and Sisters

Heavenly Father, in your wisdom
you have called certain women and men
to a life of special consecration
so that in prayerful observance
of a lifestyle of poverty,
chaste celibacy and obedience,
they might be witnesses to us
that as St. Paul says,
“our true citizenship is in heaven.”
Give them, Lord,
the grace of joy and perseverance
in their holy vocation.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.