Prayer for the Bishops (Pope John XXIII)

O Jesus, Eternal Priest,
you who have lit in this world an undying flame,
enable those whom you have chosen for the episcopate
to share in the purposes of your divine Heart.

Give to those generous hearts upon whom you have bestowed
the fullness of your priesthood
the grace of honouring you and your Holy Church,
and multiply around them evermore
new and fervent apostles of your kingdom,
for the salvation of all peoples.

O Lord, grant that as they work in peace
and enjoy tranquillity of order,
the peoples and nations may prosper
under your most generous blessings,
and the Church extend ever more widely
her redeeming mission.

Save your people Lord: and bless your inheritance.
And govern them and lift them up for ever.

Prayer for the Holy Catholic Church

William Laud (1573-1645) Archbishop of Cantebury

Most gracious Father,
we most humbly beseech thee
for thy Holy Catholic Church.
Fill it with all truth;
in all truth with all peace.

Where it is corrupt, purge it;
where it is in error, direct it;
where anything is amiss, reform it;
where it is right, strengthen and confirm it;
where it is in want, furnish it;
where it is divided and rent asunder
make up the breaches of it,
O thou Holy One of Israel.

Amen.

Prayer for the Second Ecumenical Vatican Council (Pope John XXIII)

(Excerpted)
May this Council produce abundant fruits:
may the light and power of the Gospel
be more widely diffused in human society;
may new vigour be imparted
to the Catholic religion and its missionary function;
may we all acquire
a more profound knowledge of the Church’s doctrine
and a wholesome increase of Christian morality.

O gentle Guest of our souls,
confirm our mind in the truth
and dispose our hearts to obedience,
that the deliberations of the Council may find in us
generous consent and prompt obedience.

Renew in our days your miracles
as of a second Penetecost;
and grant that Holy Church,
reunited in our prayer,
more fervent than before,
around Mary the Mother of Jesus,
and under the leadership of Peter,
may extend the kingdom of the divine Saviour,
A kingdom of truth, justice, love and peace.

Amen.

Prayer for Vocations

Loving God, You speak to us
and nourish us through the
life of this church community.

In the name of Jesus, we ask you
to send your Spirit to us so that
men and women among us, young
and old, will respond to your call to
service and leadership in the church.

We pray for all ministers but, especially, for
those who hear your invitation to
be a priest, sister, brother, or deacon.

May those who are opening their hearts
and minds to your call be encouraged
and strengthened through our enthusiasm
in your service. Amen

St Joseph, Protector of the Church

Father, you entrusted our Saviour to the care of Saint Joseph.
By the help of his prayers may your Church continue to serve its Lord,
Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
and of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
one in Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation,
he came down from heaven:

by the power of the Holy Spirit
he was born of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.

For our sake he was crucified
under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried

On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures:
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.