Lord, we thank you
for the goodness of our people
and for the spirit of justice
that fills this nation.
We thank you for the beauty and fullness of the
land and the challenge of the cities.
We thank you for our work and our rest,
for one another, and for our homes.
We thank you, Lord:
accept our thanksgiving on this day.
We pray and give thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Thank You, Lord, for bringing us together.
May we learn to appreciate one another more and more.
May we cherish the gift of each other.
May we share our feelings openly and honestly.
May we listen not only with our ears and minds
but also with our hearts.
May we grow in compassion for one another.
May we admit our failings and limitations.
May we remember that the day-to-day choices
we make and the work we do are signs of love.
May our friendship with each other
grow over the years of living together.
May that special friendship in turn grow outward,
embrace others, and open us to their needs.
Amen.
- Columban Fr. John Comiskey
Even though I can be so proud,
You humbled Yourself on a cross for me.
Even though I can be so selfish,
You rose to share Your life with me.
A love so great, so deep!
A heart so humble, so generous!
Lord, thank You for caring so much;
for seeing the good I’m capable of,
rather than condemning the bad;
for encouraging the good that’s in me,
the new life within waiting to happen;
for patiently waiting for me to come to life.
Lord, help me to lead a life
worthy of Your love.
Amen.
- Columban Fr. Pat Sayles
Dear God, thank you for the example of the Saints.
I desire to join in their company,
worshiping you forever in Heaven.
Please help me follow their footsteps,
and yours, Jesus Christ.
Please help me to conform myself
to Your image, seeking Your will in all things,
as the Saints did.
Please help me to devote myself,
and all that I do, to Your glory,
and to the service of my neighbors.
Amen.
Hear O Blessed Virgin the prayers which we address you,
Our Lady of Rest as we are mindful of that
maternal love in which you receive your children.
It is by your powerful intercession O Mary,
that our hearts and minds find rest.
We know well our own weakness;
but we trust in the everlasting promises,
and we hope for eternal happiness
as we cling to the crucified Jesus,
who has made His cross to be ours as well.
O Mary under your patronage we find peace
in the midst of earthly tribulation.
You are the quiet certainty of the strong soul,
ever on guard against the enemy.
You are the sanctuary of the pure
who remain unstained by earth’s corruption.
And just as, with you, we find peace during the present life,
so shall we find with you, when the days
of our pilgrimage are over,
everlasting peace in the world to come.
Amen
- Pope Pius XII
Your are the one who created me and let me call You, “Father.”
That is the Grace of all Graces and cannot help but be called a miracle!
You made not only me but all creatures in this beautiful world.
You give absolute love to all Your children,
wanting them to live with joy and happiness.
You are the one to be praised and glorified!
Always help us to look for You and understand Your will.
You are the only one who wants us to live with this love.
We believe that only in You is the way of our lives and truth.
With our whole heart and mind, we love You.
Through the parents and children You gave me,
I see Your unconditional and tangible love.
The Lord coming in the Spirit will be praised and glorified!
- Columban Fr. Tae-moon Kwan
Even when I show You the thorny side of my character,
or when I’m sharp, unloving to those I love
unapproachable, or in a bad mood,
You still show Your goodness to me
and let Your love shine down to bring me joy.
Thank You, Lord.
Even one small drop of Your love
on my thorniness is enough to soften me
with the radiance of Your presence.
Amen
- A Columban Missionary
O God, You made us in Your own image
and redeemed us through Jesus Your Son.
Look with compassion on the whole human family;
take away the arrogance and hatred
which infect our hearts;
break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love;
and work through our struggle and confusion
to accomplish your purposes on earth.
That, in Your good time, all nations
and races may serve You in harmony
around your Heavenly throne.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
- A Columban Missionary
Almighty God,
who called your servant Vincent de Paul
to serve you in the person of those in need:
Grant that we, following his example,
may fulfill your commandments
by defending and supporting the poor,
and by loving you with all our hearts,
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, who are called the Prince of Peace,
who are Yourself our peace and reconciliation,
who so often said, “Peace to You,” grant us peace.
Make all men and women witnesses of truth, justice and brotherly love.
Banish from their hearts whatever might endanger peace.
Enlighten our rulers that they may guarantee and defend the great gift of peace.
May all peoples of the earth become as brothers and sisters.
May longed-for peace blossom forth and reign always over us all.
- Pope John XXIII
O everlasting and loving God,
I consecrate myself wholly to Your today.
Lt all my days offer you ceaseless praise,
my hands move to the rhythm of Your impulses,
my feet be swift in Your service,
my voice sing constantly of You,
my lips proclaim Your message,
my eyes perceive You everywhere,
and my ears be attuned to your inspirations.
May my intellect be filled with Your wisdom,
my will be moved by Your beauty,
my heart be enraptured with Your love,
and my soul be flooded with Your grace.
Grant that every action of mine be done for Your greater glory.
- A Columban Missionary
St. Columban pray for us.
Pilgrim and wanderer for Christ
Disciple of Christ
True to the word of God
Dove of Peace
Friend of nature
Lover of animals
Protector of the environment
Healer of the sick
Courageous and fearless
Caring and brotherly
Forgiving and rich in mercy
Contemplative and close to God
Monk and missionary
Man of justice and integrity
Man of freedom and liberty
Oh Lord hear our prayer, and grant us your salvation
Amen
- A Columban Missionary
Heavenly Father, caring and loving God,
You never fail to help me when I
call upon You in my time of need.
Guide the doctors
who are treating me in my illness.
Help the nurses and staff
who are caring for me.
Hold me gently in the palm
of Your healing hand
and protect me from all harm.
Amen.
- Columban Fr. John Marley
God of Mercy and Compassion -
When I hesitate to act because of fear, be my strength.
When I question my existence, assure me.
When I want to show off my worth, humble me.
When I miss seeing the needs of others, awaken me.
When I forget the beauty of loving presence, remind me.
When I run away from a call to present, bring me back.
- Columban Lay Missionary Arlenne Villahermosa