Introduction
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
“In truth I tell you once again, if two of you on earth agree to ask anything at all, it will be granted to you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three meet in my name, I am there among them.”
(Matthew: 18:19-20)
As you light a candle pray:
Lord Jesus you came as a light that shines in darkness and a light that darkness cannot overpower – enlighten our hearts and minds to your presence in our midst.
Act of Penance
For the times when we have failed to love God and to love each other we ask for God’s forgiveness.
Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.
We pray… (pause for Silent Prayer)
Almighty and merciful God look with compassion on our concerns, and so lighten your children’s burden and confirm our faith that we may always trust without hesitation in your fatherly providence.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit One God for ever and ever. Amen
Listening to God’s Word
The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me to revive my drooping spirit.
He guides me along what he knows to be right.
If I walk in the darkness, no evil would I fear.
I know that he will be there, with his crook and with his staff.
The Lord has prepared, such a banquet for me.
Surely goodness and kindness shall follow after me.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell all the days of my life.
(Psalm 23)
If you wish you can replace the following Gospel reading with the relevant daily readings which are available by clicking here
A Reading from the Gospel According to Matthew (Mt 11:26-29)
"At that time Jesus exclaimed, I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to little children.
Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do.
Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
'Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest.
Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.'"
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
(Pause for a moment of silent reflection on the Gospel)
Intercessions
We bring our needs and prayers before our heavenly Father.
We pray for our world at this time (pause for silent prayer)
Lord grant healing and comfort to those who are afflicted by the Coronavirus.
We pray all who work in our health care system, carers at home, and clergy who are working with those who are sick. (pause)
Lord protect them and strengthen them as they care in your name.
We pray for our civil leaders (pause)
Lord inspire them to make wise decisions in these days.
We pray for our scientists (pause)
Lord enlighten them as they work to understand what is happening – guide their work as they strive to find ways to treat and protect us.
We pray for those who are anxious in these days (pause)
Lord ease their fears and grant them the consolation of your presence.
We pray for our families and friends
(name those you wish to pray for)
Lord protect and care for them.
We pray for a spirit of charity among our fellow citizens (pause)
Lord, at this time of national crisis, help the people of Ireland to be generous and to look out for and care for each other.
We pause to pray for our own private intentions
(name your intentions in silence)
Lord hear my prayer.
Father, we ask you to hear these our prayers and if it be your will to answer them for we make them in faith and trust, thorough Christ our Lord, Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, …
While we cannot receive communion at this time we can make an act of Spiritual Communion in which we express our faith in Jesus and in his presence in the Eucharist and invite him to unite himself with us.
Act of Spiritual Communion
(St Alphonsus de Liguori)
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you.
Never permit me to be separated from you.
(pause for silent prayer)
O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and thanksgiving be every moment thine!
Concluding Prayer
Let us pray (pause for silent prayer)
Merciful Lord,
You know the anguish of the sorrowful,
you are attentive to the prayers of the humble.
Hear your people who cry out to you in their need,
and strengthen their hope in your lasting goodness;
we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
Prayer of Blessing
The Lord bless us and keep us;
The Lord make his face shine on us and be gracious to us;
The Lord turn his face toward us and give us his peace both now and forever. Amen.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Remember to extinguish the lighted candle
