Monday 30 th September ~ St Jerome Saint Jerome (c. 347 – 30 September 420) was an Illyrian Christian priest. He is best known for his new translation of the Bible into Latin. He is recognized by the Catholic Church as a saint and Doctor of the Church, and his version of the Bible is still an important text in Catholicism.

Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Leader: Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. Response: And you shall renew the face of the earth. Let us pray. O God, who taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Tuesday 1 st October Saint Therese of the Child Jesus Born in France in 1873, she entered the Carmelite monastery at Lisieux at an early age. By her words and example, she taught humility, simplicity and faith in God. She died in 1897, aged 24. Her autobiography, “The Story of a Soul” records her immense love of God and personal determination to grow in prayer.

God our Father, you have promised your kingdom to those who are willing to become like little children. Help us to follow the way of Saint Theresa with confidence so that by her prayers we may come to know your eternal glory. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Wednesday 2 nd October The Holy Guardian Angels In the 15 th and 16 th centuries, the feast of the Guardian Angels began to be celebrated in Austria, Spain and Portugal. In 1608 Pope Paul V made it a universal feast. It celebrates God’s constant care for each of his children. Guardian Angel From Heaven So Bright Watching beside me to lead me aright Fold thy wings round me O guard me with love Softly sing songs to me Of heaven above. Beautiful angel My guardian so mild Tenderly guide me For I am thy Child Beautiful angel My guardian so mild Tenderly guide me For I am thy Child.

Angel so holy Whom God sends to me Sinful and lowly My guardian to be Wilt thou not cherish The child of thy care? Let me not perish My trust is thy prayer. Beautiful angel My guardian so mild Tenderly guide me For I am thy Child Beautiful angel My guardian so mild Tenderly guide me For I am thy Child.

Oh may I never forget thou art near Keep thou me ever in love and in fear Waking and sleeping In labour and rest In thy sweet keeping My life shall be blest. Beautiful angel My guardian so mild Tenderly guide me For I am thy Child Beautiful angel My guardian so mild Tenderly guide me For I am thy Child.

“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” -- Jn 1:47-51

Thursday 3 rd October CAFOD Harvest Fast Day on Friday A place at the table On this mountain, for all peoples, the Lord is preparing a banquet of rich food. Isaiah 25:6 God our Father, We give you thanks for the abundance of your creation, and the generosity of your gifts. We are sorry that amongst us are so many people who are excluded from the feast, prepared by you for us all. May your Spirit inspire us and lead us as we seek change, so that hunger and poverty are no longer a scar and a scandal in our world. May your Spirit guide us as we seek change, so everybody has enough food to flourish and a place at the table you spread for all. Amen Catherine Gorman/CAFOD

Friday 4 th October Saint Francis of Assisi Born in Assisi in 1182, Francis was a light hearted youth, but changed, giving up his inheritance, offering his whole life to God and embracing poverty. He gathered followers around him, instituting a Rule that was approved by Pope Innocent III. The result was the Franciscan Order, known for preaching and for the love of poverty. Francis died in 1226.

Saint Francis Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace Where there is hatred let me sow love Where there is injury, pardon Where there is doubt, faith Where there is despair, hope Where there is darkness, light and where there is sadness, joy. O Lord, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled but to console To be understood as to understand To be loved as to love For it is in giving that I receive It is in pardoning that I am pardoned; And it is in dying that I am born to eternal life. Amen. Friday 4 th October Saint Francis of Assisi