Opening Prayer
It is so good to hold Your hand and walk with You, Holy God of the Journey. Yours is the strong hand of hope. You promise new and renewed life for Your people. You have gardener’s hands. Through Your coming and work, the dried up landscape of our souls will be watered and blossom again in fruitful life. Your digging and embracing hands work wonders. Lord Jesus, John announced your coming like the new Elijah – help us to see you coming in our world. Help us to grasp your hand as you walk with us in our lives, Emmanuel. May your hand heal violence and bring inner peace which enables us to hear and listen to you, whispering and shouting in our world – in our history! I love your strong grip and firm handshake, Holy God!!! Your outstretched hand fills the journey with hope.
Give us the faith and passion of John of the Cross to pursue You, as the living Flame.
Today, in 1927, you are proclaimed the co-Patroness of the Missions, Great St. Therese. Your outreach to the ends of the earth is recognized. Because you embraced your vocation as “love in the heart of the Church”, you are as powerful as St. Francis Xavier who actually went to the foreign missions. Give us your outreaching heart and faith in the power of prayer and works of charity to activate God’s reign.
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