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This page will give access to prayers and liturgy that can enable people to addresses concerns of Catholic Social Teaching in daily and weekly life.

 

Opening prayer of the Second Vatican Council

This prayer was said at the start of every session of the Council (1962-65).

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We stand before you, Holy spirit,
conscious of our sinfulness,
but aware that we gather in your name.

Come to us, remain with us, and enlighten our hearts.
Give us light and strength to know your will,
to make it our own,
and to live it in our lives.

Guide us by your wisdom, support us by your power,
for you are God, sharing the glory of Father and Son.

You desire justice for all:
enable us to uphold the rights of others;
do not allow us to be misled by ignorance
or corrupted by fear or favour.

Unite us to yourself in the bond of love
and keep us faithful to all that is true.

As we gather in your name
may we temper justice with love,
so that all our decisions may be pleasing to you,
and earn the reward promised to
good and faithful servants.

You live and reign with the Father and the Son,
one God, forever and ever.

Amen.

 

 

A prayer about working life for use in local churches

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Almighty God, we thank you for the great range of occupations to which you call your people.

Thank you for the numerous workplaces in which members of our congregation are placed, as lights to shine for you.
We are indeed the Church in the world.

Help us to see our workplaces as a mission field, and to understand what a privilege this is.

May we work conscientiously and with integrity, honouring our colleagues, encouraging people who are insecure, and sharing the load with those who are overburdened.

But give us courage, too, at cost to ourselves whenever necessary, to stand for what is right and just, with humility and courtesy, following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen

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Adapted from prayer written by Helen Parry in M. Greene, ed., Pocket Prayers for Work (London: Church House Publishing), p.72

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Prayer for the development of peoples

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Father, you have given all peoples one common origin, and your will is to gather them as one family in yourself. Fill the hearts of all with the fire of your love, and the desire to ensure justice for all their brothers and sisters. By sharing the good things you give us, may we secure justice and equality for every human being, an end to all division and a human society built on love and peace.

Amen

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Quoted in John Paul II, Solicitudo Rei Socialis, #49, from the Mass “For the Development of Peoples”: Missale Romanum, ed. typ. altera, 1975, p. 820.

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