Spiritual Bouquet In Preparation for the visit of his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI Week One The Pope’s Intentions for August

“Above all I entrust myself to your prayers” Pope Benedict XVI LEADER: As we start our time of prayer let us begin by being still and silent in the presence of God. We begin together, ALL: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“Above all I entrust myself to your prayers” Pope Benedict XVI LEADER: During August the Pope has asks us to pray in a special way for some of his special intentions: for those people who do not have jobs for people in our world who have nowhere to live for people who are hungry for families who have to leave their country because of war and violence.

LEADER: As we listen to St. Luke and St. Matthew describing the birth of Jesus we think about our world today. We think about how Jesus was born into poor conditions and how Mary and Joseph had to leave their country to hide from King Herod. “Above all I entrust myself to your prayers” Pope Benedict XVI

READER ONE: “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” “Above all I entrust myself to your prayers” Pope Benedict XVI

READER TWO: “An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. This is the Word of the Lord. ALL: Thanks be to God “Above all I entrust myself to your prayers” Pope Benedict XVI

READER THREE: Lord we ask that you hear our prayers: That those who are without work or homes, or who are in need, may find understanding and welcome, as well as help in overcoming their difficulties. Lord Hear Us ALL: Lord graciously hear us That the Church may be a “home” for all people, ready to open its doors to any who are suffering. Lord Hear Us ALL: Lord graciously hear us “Above all I entrust myself to your prayers” Pope Benedict XVI

LEADER: As we prepare for the visit of the Holy Father to the UK we pray together the words that Jesus taught us: ALL: Our Father who art in Heaven... “Above all I entrust myself to your prayers” Pope Benedict XVI

LEADER: Each day we will be join our prayers with other boys and girls in schools, parishes and families across the UK. As we look forward to welcoming the Pope to the United Kingdom, we finish our time of prayer together as we say: ALL: God of truth and love, we pray for Pope Benedict and look forward with joy to him visiting the United Kingdom. Through his words and actions, may he show the world how you want all people to live. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, Amen Our Lady Mother of the Church Pray for Us St. Andrew Pray for Us St. George Pray for Us St. David Pray for Us “Above all I entrust myself to your prayers” Pope Benedict XVI

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