Prayers
For anyone who has lost a child. We pray that all parents who mourn the loss of a son or daughter find support in their community and receive peace and consolation from the Holy Spirit.
SACBC PRAYER FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA
Merciful Father,
send forth your Spirit upon us the people of Southern Africa.
May we hear anew the voice of Jesus Christ,
inviting us to walk with him across the turbulent waters of our time:
“Courage, it is I. Do not be afraid.”
By the grace of the Holy Spirit
empower us to bring comfort to the restless, hope to those who despair,
healing to victims of violence, and reconciliation where there is division.
May the Holy Spirit heal our families and communities.
Grant us ethical and courageous leaders who put the good of the people before their own interest.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
we commit ourselves to speak the truth with courage,
to act justly in all we do, to share with those in need and always
and everywhere to respect your gift of life
as we strive to proclaim the values of the Kingdom
in solidarity with all people of goodwill. AMEN
Glorious St. Joseph, foster-father and protector of Jesus Christ! Please obtain for me from the kind Heart of Jesus the help and graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare.
I ask particularly for the grace of a happy death, and the special favour I now implore (name it).
Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I feel animated with confidence that your prayers in my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God.
O glorious St. Joseph, through the love you bear for Jesus Christ, and for the glory of His name. Hear my prayers and obtain my petitions. Amen
Dear Lord, teach me to be generous as you have been generous with me.
Teach me that all I am and have are gifts from You. And gifts, Lord, are meant to be shared.
Show me the joys of generosity. Help me understand that others, perhaps unknown to me, depend on me for help.
Remind me that my world, my parish, need “Good Samaritans” to heal the wounds of our times. Make me a gift to others in Your name. Amen
Saint Jude was one of Jesus’ twelve original apostles, so we can conclude that he was also at the Last Supper. Saint Jude is also known by the name Thaddeus, which means sweetness and gentleness of character. He is not the traitor Judas Iscariot.
Saint Jude, followed Jesus faithfully until His crucifixion, and then later worked on evangelization. Very little is known about his life, but we do know he died as a martyr — some say around 65AD, giving his life to Jesus Christ. He is now one of the most invoked saints because of his New Testament letter which stressed the importance of a faithful person persevering in harsh circumstances.
Very often in our lives, we encounter difficult situations, where we are at a loss as to how to proceed, we cannot see the road ahead, but we know that somehow we must go on. As a community moving towards unity, pray these novena prayers to Saint Jude with confidence, that he will intercede for us before God, and assist us as we heal at St. Joseph’s.