Feast of Saints Simon and Jude

[public domain]
Fresco in Holy Trinity Parish Church in Schwarzenberg, by Angelica Kauffmann, 1757

Prayer to Saint Simon, the Apostle

O Glorious Saint Simon,
you were a cousin of Jesus and a devoted follower as well.
You were called “the Zealot”,
indicating that you were willing to give your life
for your religion and your freedom as a human person.
Obtain for us the grace to be willing to give
our lives for Christ and to labor for the freedom
and peace that only God can give.
Help us to spend ourselves for God on earth
and be received by Him in eternal bliss in Heaven.
Amen.


[public domain]
Fresco in Holy Trinity Parish Church in Schwarzenberg, by Angelica Kauffmann, 1757

Prayer to Saint Thaddaeus Jude, the Apostle

Saint Jude, Glorious Apostle,
faithful servant and friend of Jesus,
the name of the traitor has caused you
to be forgotten by many, but the true Church
invokes you universally as the Patron of things despaired of;
pray for me, that finally I may receive the consolations
and the succor of Heaven in all my necessities,
tribulations, and sufferings,
particularly (here make your request),
and that I may bless God with the Elect throughout Eternity.
Amen.

Saint John Paul II

St. John Paul II

Prayer for Peace
by Saint John Paul II

O God, Creator of the universe,
Who extends Your paternal concern
over every creature
and guides the events of history
to the goal of salvation,
we acknowledge Your fatherly love
when You break the resistance of mankind
and, in a world torn by strife and discord,
You make us ready for reconciliation.
Renew for us the wonders of Your mercy;
send forth Your Spirit that He may
work in the intimacy of hearts,
that enemies may begin to dialogue,
that adversaries may shake hands
and peoples may encounter
one another in harmony.
May all commit themselves to the
sincere search for true peace
which will extinguish all arguments,
for charity which overcomes hatred,
for pardon which disarms revenge.
Amen.

World Mission Sunday

Mission Prayer

Lord, our God,
help us to walk with You
on the pathway of the beatitudes
and to live out Your mission
in today’s world.

Bind us to all men and women
of our time so that together
we may bring the Good News
to the ends of the earth.

Open our hearts and our Christian communities
to the needy, the afflicted, the oppressed.
May we radiate the Living Christ
and transform our lives
in the hope of the Resurrection.

This prayer we make to You
who are the living God
now and forever.

Amen.