AMERICA/BRAZIL - Pope Benedict XVI proposes Prayer for 5th General Conference of the Latin American Bishops’ Conferences CELAM scheduled for May

Saturday, 3 March 2007

Aparecida (Fides Service) - In just over two months time the 5th General Conference of the Council of Latin American Bishops’ Conference CELAM will be held at the Marian Shrine of Aparecida (Brazil), 13 to 31 May on the theme "Disciples and missionaries of Jesus Christ that our Countries may have life in Him". The event will be an opportunity to demonstrate and confirm the faith and ecclesial maturity of the continent and to discuss the situations in different countries in a spirit of community, solidarity and service. As an expression of collegial communion among Bishops, it will draw participation of the people of God and make the evangelising mission an opportune response to present day needs.
The pilgrim Church in America awaits this meeting with faith and hope and asks the faithful to pray that it may bear abundant fruit. We give below the Official CELAM 5 Prayer proposed by Pope Benedict XVI
Here is our English translation:
“Lord Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life, the human face of God and divine face of mankind,
Fill our hearts with the love of the Father who is in heaven and with the joy of being Christians.
Come to guide our steps that we may follow you and love you in the communion of your Church, Celebrating and living the gift of the Eucharist and taking up our cross,
Send us on your mission.
Give us always the fire of the Holy Spirit
to illuminate our minds and fill us with a desire
to contemplate you,
to love others, especially those who suffer
and to boldly announce you as we start this new century.
We are your disciples and missionaries,
We will put out into the deep
so our peoples may have abundant life in You
and strive together through solidarity to build brotherhood and peace
Come Lord Jesus, send us!
Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us, Amen.”
(RG) (Agenzia Fides 3/3/2007; righe 26, parole 301)


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