Washington, D.C. (16 June 2010) – American Life League president Judie Brown released the second day of prayer intentions for the Catholic clergy as the Bishops continue their Special Assembly in St. Petersburg, Florida. Brown will issue a new prayer and accompanying commentary every day of the weeklong meeting.
“Today the Bishops are reflecting on renewal of the spiritual life of individual priests and Bishops. The image that comes to my mind as we continue praying for our Bishops is the image of Pope Benedict XVI. Each of our Bishops realizes the intense pressure and criticism that the Holy Father suffered during these past few months. In fact it seems diabolical to us that the height of these anti-Catholic smears against the Church, and the Holy Father in particular, occurred during Holy Week, a time when Catholics the world over are focused on Christ who suffered and died for our sins.
“How inspiring it was to recall these profound words of love, hope and forgiveness spoken by the Holy Father during his Easter Sunday homily,
Dear brothers and sisters, Easter does not work magic. Just as the Israelites found the desert awaiting them on the far side of the Red Sea, so the Church, after the resurrection, always finds history filled with joy and hope, grief and anguish. And yet, this history is changed, it is marked by a new and eternal covenant; it is truly open to the future. For this reason, saved by hope, let us continue our pilgrimage, bearing in our hearts the song that is ancient and yet ever new: “Let us sing to the Lord: glorious his triumph!”
“As the Bishops reflect today on spiritual renewal, we pray that they will experience in their hearts and prayers the same hope the Holy Father inspires with his words of love – a hope which comforts us even in affliction. May the Bishops incorporate the words of Christ, which are so appropriate when one considers Pope Benedict and all that he has personally had to bear. For Christ told each of us, His followers, (Matthew 16:24)
‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me.'”
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, we extend to you our sincere and heartfelt prayers of supplication on behalf of every ordained Catholic priest, including your bishops.We ask You through the power of the Holy Spirit and the intercession of Our Lady of Sorrows, to set their hearts on fire with love for You, your truth and your Church. May they embrace the Cross of Christ without fear, without delay. May their days of reflection bring about a spiritual renewal that inspires courage, compassion and commitment to each and every soul entrusted to their care. We ask this through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
We ask this through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
American Life League was cofounded in 1979 by Judie Brown. It is the largest grassroots Catholic pro-life organization in the United States and is committed to the protection of all innocent human beings from the moment of creation to death. For more information or press inquiries, please contact Katie Walker at 540.659.4942.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
- Catholic Sentinel: Nurturing Hope (15 June 2010)http://www.sentinel.org/node/11219
- American Life League www.ALL.org