Blessed are you, Father,
who, in your infinite love,
gave us your only-begotten Son.
By the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate
in the spotless womb of the Virgin Mary
and was born in Bethlehem
over two thousand years ago.
He became our companion on life’s path
and gave new meaning to our history,
the journey we make together
in toil and suffering,
in faithfulness and love,
towards the new heaven and the new earth
where You, once death has been vanquished, will be all in all.
Praise and glory to You, Most Holy Trinity,
you alone are God most high!
By your grace, O Father, may this day
be a time of deep conversion
and of joyful return to you.
May it be a time of reconciliation between people,
and of peace restored among nations,
a time when swords are beaten into ploughshares
and the clash of arms gives way to songs of peace.
Father, grant that we may live each day
docile to the voice of the Spirit,
faithful to the way of Christ,
diligent in listening to your Word
and in approaching the wellsprings of grace.
Praise and glory to You, Most Holy Trinity,
you alone are God most high!
Father, by the power of the Spirit,
strengthen the Church’s commitment to the new evangelization
and guide our steps along the pathways of the world,
to proclaim Christ by our lives,
and to direct our earthly pilgrimage
towards the City of heavenly light.
May Christ’s followers show forth their love
for the poor and the oppressed;
may they be one with those in need
and abound in works of mercy;
may they be compassionate towards all,
that they themselves may obtain indulgence and forgiveness from you.
Praise and glory to You, Most holy Trinity,
you alone are God most high!
Father, grant that your Son’s disciples,
purified in memory
and acknowledging their failings,
may be one, that the world may believe.
May dialogue between the followers of the great religions expand,
and may all people discover the joy of being your children.
May the intercession of Mary, Mother of your faithful people,
in union with the prayers of the Apostles, the Christian martyrs,
and the righteous of every people and every age,
make this day a time of renewed hope and of joy in the Spirit
for each of us and for the whole Church.
Praise and glory to You, Most Holy Trinity,
you alone are God most high!
To you, Almighty Father, Creator of the universe and of mankind,
through Christ, the Living One, Lord of time and history,
in the Spirit who makes all things holy,
be praise and honour and glory
now and forever.
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