Prayers written by Pope Francisto be offered at the conclusion of the Rosary

by households and individuals each day during May

First Prayer

O Mary,You shine continuously on our journeyas a sign of salvation and hope.We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,who, at the foot of the cross,were united with Jesus’ suffering,and persevered in your faith.“Protectress of the Roman people”,you know our needs,and we know that you will provide,so that, as at Cana in Galilee,joy and celebration may returnafter this time of trial.Help us, Mother of Divine Love,to conform ourselves to the will of the Fatherand to do what Jesus tells us.For he took upon himself our suffering,and burdened himself with our sorrowsto bring us, through the cross,to the joy of the Resurrection.Amen.

We fly to your protection,O Holy Mother of God;Do not despise our petitionsin our necessities,but deliver us alwaysfrom every danger,O Glorious and Blessed Virgin

Mosaic, Mother of the Church, overlooking St Peter’s Square, Vatican City

Second Prayer“We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God”.In the present tragic situation, when the whole world is prey to suffering and anxiety, we fly to you, Mother of God and our Mother, and seek refuge under your protection.Virgin Mary, turn your merciful eyes towards us amid this coronavirus pandemic.  Comfort those who are distraught and mourn their loved ones who have died, and at times are buried in a way that grieves them deeply.  Be close to those who are concerned for their loved ones who are sick and who, in order to prevent the spread of the disease, cannot be close to them.  Fill with hope those who are troubled by the uncertainty of the future and the consequences for the economy and employment.Mother of God and our Mother, pray for us to God, the Father of mercies, that this great suffering may end and that hope and peace may dawn anew.  Plead with your divine Son, as you did at Cana, so that the families of the sick and the victims be comforted, and their hearts be opened to confidence and trust.Protect those doctors, nurses, health workers and volunteers who are on the frontline of this emergency, and are risking their lives to save others.  Support their heroic effort and grant them strength, generosity and continued health.Be close to those who assist the sick night and day, and to priests who, in their pastoral concern and fidelity to the Gospel, are trying to help and support everyone.Blessed Virgin, illumine the minds of men and women engaged in scientific research, that they may find effective solutions to overcome this virus.Support national leaders, that with wisdom, solicitude and generosity they may come to the aid of those lacking the basic necessities of life and may devise social and economic solutions inspired by farsightedness and solidarity.Mary Most Holy, stir our consciences, so that the enormous funds invested in developing and stockpiling arms will instead be spent on promoting effective research on how to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.Beloved Mother, help us realize that we are all members of one great family and to recognize the bond that unites us, so that, in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity, we can help to alleviate countless situations of poverty and need.  Make us strong in faith, persevering in service, constant in prayer.Mary, Consolation of the afflicted, embrace all your children in distress and pray that God will stretch out his all-powerful hand and free us from this terrible pandemic, so that life can serenely resume its normal course.To you, who shine on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope, do we entrust ourselves, O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary.  Amen.

Mosaic, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, JerusalemUniversal Prayer

Sunday 3rd May 2020

Fourth Sunday of EasterGood Shepherd Sunday

World Day of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life

Celebrant: Sisters and brothers, Jesus revealed as the Good Shepherd is the one in whose wounds we have been healed, and who is the guardian of our souls.

1. For Pope Francis and the whole Catholic Church,

that as we pray the Rosary of Mary in our homesduring this month of May,we ask that, through Christ, our broken and fearful world will be healed. Christ, hear us.Christ, graciously hear us.

2. For our Archbishop Designate Patrick O’Reganas he begins his journey to Adelaide this week, that he will be a brother to the priestsand a shepherd after the Heart of Jesus for the people.Christ, hear us.Christ, graciously hear us.

3. For priests, deacons and religiouswho are giving dedicated nursing and pastoral care to the sick at this time, that they may be an inspirationfor youths and young adults considering their vocation in life.Christ, hear us.Christ, graciously hear us.

4. For the Church across the world on this Vocations Sunday,that in those places where the service of priest and deaconsand the witness of the religious is sparse,the Holy Spirit will call forth new vocations.Christ, hear us.Christ, graciously hear us.

5. For students and families, teachers, lecturers and staff inschools and universities, and education leaders,that they will work together with confidenceand create safe and calm environments. Christ, hear us.Christ, graciously hear us.

6. For those places where war and violence and religious persecution continues, that responding to the appeal of the General Secretary of the United Nations, Pope Francis and other religious leaders,

there may be a cease fire in every place, giving hope for peace.Christ, hear us.Christ, graciously hear us.

7. For the many priests and religious who have died in this coronavirus pandemic, along with Archbishop Leonard Faulkner on his second anniversary of death next Tuesday, that they will pass throughJesus, the Gate of the Sheepfold and have life to the full.We also remember ….Christ, hear us.Christ, graciously hear us.

Celebrant: Let us pray in the words which faith leaders offered inJerusalem last week:

God of the first and of the last, God of all Creatures, Lord of all generations, He arouses those who sleep and awakens those who slumber, He heals the sick, opens the eyes of the blind and raises those who are bowed down. We come before you with a bowed head, and with bent stature, and plead. Until now, Your mercy has aided us and Your kindness has not abandoned us, therefore we plead and request before You to heal us, Lord and we will be healed, Save us and we will be saved, for You are our glory.We ask this through Christ our Lord.

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The Universal PrayerMonday 4th May 2020

Monday Fourth Week of Easter

Celebrant: We continue to reflect upon Jesus, the Good Shepherd of the Church.

1. May those who do not believe come to understand who Jesus is,so that he may lead them into the community of the Church.

Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

2. May we rejoice in the universal nature of the Churchand welcome every member into our parish with no hint of discrimination.Christ, hear us.

3. May the Archdiocese of Adelaide and the religious orders who serve here, be blessed with vocations to the priesthood and religious life.Christ, hear us.

4. May the priests and people of Good Shepherd Parish of Clearview/Kilburn confidently place themselves under the Divine Protection of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.Christ, hear us.

5. May the Good Shepherd hold tenderly in his arms all who suffer from the coronavirus, and lead those who have died to where they may enter through him, the Gate, to a place that is safe. Christ, hear us.

Celebrant: Heavenly God, in all our trials and tribulationslook upon all who suffer at this timeand embrace them in your love.Through Christ our Lord.

Universal PrayerTuesday 5th May 2020

Tuesday Fourth Week of Easter

Celebrant: My friends, we continue to reflect upon Jesusas our Good Shepherd, the source of eternal life.

1. That there might be in the Churcha real missionary spiritso that Jesus is proclaimed to the nations with great love.Christ, hear us.Christ, graciously hear us.

2. That all who carry the name ‘Christian’ may pray and work for for the unity of the Church, and be generous in their service of others during this coronavirus pandemic.Christ, hear us.

3. That we may be fervent in our prayersfor vocations to the priesthood,so that the Gospel may be preached and the Eucharist continue to be celebrated for the life of the Church.Christ, hear us.

4. That the Christian Brothers, who honour their founder today, BlessedIgnatius Rice, may grow in holiness and they continue to care for others.Christ, hear us.

5. That we will remember with gratitude Archbishop Leonard Faulkner, who died on this day in 2018, and continue to be inspired by his pastoral Care of people as he lived generously his motto: ‘as one who serves.’Christ, hear us.

Celebrant: Eternal God, the world and all her people belong to you. Grace each person with your loveand show to them the compassionate face of your Son,Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns, for ever and ever.

Universal PrayerWednesday 6th May 2020

Wednesday Fourth Week of Easter

Celebrant: As Jesus declares himself to be the Light of the world,we continue to pray for the Church

that through her members Christ’s light of holiness and love may shine forth.

1 May the darkness of greed and violence which is draining hopefrom the hearts of so many people across the world,be dispelled by the Light of Jesus Christ.Christ, hear us.Christ, graciously hear us.

3. May Australian men and women who have gone to other landsas missionaries of the Gospel be greatly encouraged by themissionary work of Paul and Barnabas.Christ, hear us.

4. May the Christians of Cyprus, where Paul and Barnabas preached the Gospel, live their faith joyfully and commitment.Christ, hear us.

5. May priests and religious who have come as missionaries to the Archdiocese of Adelaide, be blessed in their ministry and receive our gratitude.Christ, hear us.

6. May school students, teachers and other staff grow in confidenceas they adapt to a new way of learning and being together at schoolduring this pandemic.Christ, hear us.

Celebrant: Heavenly God, receive our thanksgiving for you alone are holy and good, the source of peace and life.Through Christ our Lord.

Universal PrayerThursday 7th May 2020

Thursday Fourth Week of Easter

Celebrant: Sisters and brothers,Jesus teaches us the true spirit of service.

1. We pray for every Christian, that in giving witness to Christthey may not dominate others, but rather live with the humilityof faithful servants.Christ, hear us.Christ, graciously hear us.

2. We pray for people of Jewish faith whom God bound to himselfin a holy Covenant, that they may be faithful to the One God,and love their neighbour as they have been commanded.Christ, hear us

3. We pray for the grace to see Christ present in the poor, needyand sick of our world, so that we are moved to relieve human sufferingand loneliness.Christ, hear us.

4. We pray that the Holy Spirit will awaken in the hearts of young adultsa desire to serve the Church as priests and religious.Christ, hear us.

5. We pray for those who serve in our shops in these difficult days, that they may receive grateful respect from customers, and be kept safe by the measures their employers put into place.Christ, hear us.

Celebrant: Lord our God, let your truth and love remain with us all,so that we can live our Christian life to the full.Through Christ our Lord.

Universal PrayerFriday 8th May 2020

Friday Fourth Week of Easter

Celebrant: Jesus’ words from the Last Supper,which formed our Gospel today,

have bought great consolation to manywhen read at funerals.

1. May those who are mourning the death of a family member, friend, or colleague at this time, trust in the word of Jesus who promised to return and take us to the Father’s house. Christ, hear us.Christ, graciously hear us.

2. May those who are troubled in spirit or live with mental illnessand with anxiety about the coronavirus pandemic find Christ’s peace and consolation through the kindness of family, friends and medical professionals.Christ, hear us.

3. May bishops, priests and deacons preach Christ crucified and risenwith the same enthusiasm and courage and clarity as did St Paul in Antioch.Christ, hear us.

4. May this week of prayer for vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life, stimulate in the hearts and minds of men and womenthe possibility that God is calling them to ministry and service.Christ, hear us.

5. May those who deliver food and other goods to shops, and those who manage warehouses at this time, know that their work is greatly appreciated during this coronavirus pandemic.Christ, hear us.

Celebrant: Lord God, you have placed all creation under the authority of your Son Jesus Christ. Keep us faithful to his example of justice and mercy for he lives and reigns, for ever and ever.

Universal PrayerSaturday 9th May 2020

Saturday Fourth Week of Easter

Celebrant: Dear friends, the Acts of the Apostles has reminded usof the visionary spirit of Paul and Barnabas who made the choice to preach Christ to the pagans and so announce to them the Light of salvation.

1. That Pope Francis will be assisted by the Holy Spirit as he discerns who to appoint as a new bishop for the Diocese of Port Pirie.Christ, hear us.Christ, graciously hear us.

2. That the Church will never tire or fail to proclaim Jesus to the nations of the world, bringing hope faith and love to many people.Christ, hear us.

3. That the disciples of Jesus today will be filled with that same joy of the Holy Spirit as were the Christians in Antioch.Christ, hear us.

4. That those who prepare and serve take-away food, and those who have a care for the needs of the homeless with particular dedication during this pandemic, will receive our prayerful gratitude.Christ, hear us.

5. That the Archdiocese of Adelaide will be richly blessed today as we remember our second Bishop, Bonaventure Geoghegan, who having baptized St Mary of the Cross, was himself dedicated to fostering Catholic schools in this State.Christ, hear us.

Celebrant: Father, work through your Church so that the nations of the world may see the salvation you have offered to all people through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.