Patience

National Day of Prayer

ImageKristin's Crosses

[public domain]

A Prayer for World Peace
(1978)

Lord, we pray for the power to be gentle;
the strength to be forgiving;
the patience to be understanding;
and the endurance to accept the consequences
of holding to what we believe to be right.

May we put our trust in
the power of good to overcome evil
and the power of love to overcome hatred.

We pray for the vision to see
and the faith to believe
in a world emancipated from violence,
a new world where fear shall
no longer lead men to commit injustice,
nor selfishness make them bring suffering to others.

Help us to devote our whole life and thought and energy
to the task of making peace,
praying always for the inspiration
and the power to fulfill the destiny
for which we and all men were created.
Amen.

Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker

VideoKristin's Crosses
[public domain]

Christ in Jospeh’s Workshop, by Matteo Pagano, 1600’s

Prayer to St. Joseph,
Patron of Workers

Glorious Saint Joseph,
you are the pattern of all who work.
Obtain for me, please,
the grace to work conscientiously
and to put devotion to duty
before my selfish inclinations.
Help me to labor in thankfulness and joy,
for it is an honour to employ
and to develop by my labour the gifts
I have received from almighty God.
Grant that I may work in orderliness,
peace, moderation and patience
without shrinking from weariness and difficulties.
I offer my fatigue and perplexities
as reparation for sin.
I shall work, above all,
with a pure intention
and with detachment from self,
having always before my eyes
the hour of death
and the accounting
which I must then render of time ill-spent,
of talents unemployed,
of good undone,
and of empty pride in success,
which is so fatal to the work of God.
For Jesus through Mary,
all in imitation of you,
good Saint Joseph.
This shall be my motto in life and in death.
Amen.

Earth Day

ImageKristin's Crosses

[public domain]

Allegory of Divine Wisdom, by Andrea Sacchi, 1629-1633

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Genesis 1:1

The Canticle of Creation
By Saint Francis of Assisi

O Most High, all-powerful, good Lord God,
to you belong praise, glory, honour and all blessing.
Be praised, my Lord, for all your creation
and especially for our Brother Sun,
who brings us the day and the light;
he is strong and shines magnificently.
O Lord, we think of you when we look at him.
Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Moon, and for the stars
which you have set shining and lovely in the heavens.
Be praised, my Lord,
for our Brothers Wind and Air and every kind of weather
by which you, Lord, uphold life in all your creatures.
Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Water,
who is very useful to us, and humble and precious and pure.
Be praised, my Lord, for Brother Fire,
through whom you give us light in the darkness:
he is bright and lively and strong.
Be praised, my Lord,
For Sister Earth, our Mother,
who nourishes us and sustains us,
bringing forth fruits and vegetables of many kinds
and flowers of many colours.
Be praised, my Lord,
for those who forgive for love of you;
and for those who bear sickness and weakness
in peace and patience – you will grant them a crown.
Be praised, my Lord, for our Sister Death,
whom we must all face.
I praise and bless you, Lord,
and I give thanks to you,
and I will serve you in all humility.