|
|
 |
Intentions entrusted by the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI to the Apostleship
of Prayer for the year 2008
 |
- JANUARY
General:
That the Church may strengthen her commitment to full visible
unity in order to manifest ever more clearly her nature as a community
of love in which is reflected the communion of the Father, the
Son and the Holy Spirit.
Mission:
That the Church in Africa, preparing to celebrate the second Special
Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Africa, may continue to be
a sign and channel of reconciliation and justice in a continent
still suffering from war, exploitation and poverty.
- FEBRUARY
General:
That the mentally handicapped may not be marginalised but respected
and lovingly helped to live in a way worthy of their physical
and social condition.
Mission:
That
Institutes of Consecrated Life, so flourishing in mission countries,
may rediscover the missionary dimension and, faithful to the radical
choice of Gospel counsels, be generous in bearing witness to Christ
and proclaiming Him to the ends of the earth.
- MARCH
General:
That the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation between
individuals and peoples may be understood and that through her
testimony the Church may spread Christ’s love, the source
of new humanity.
Mission:
That
Christians persecuted because of the Gospel in various parts of
the world and in various manners may be sustained by the strength
of the Holy Spirit and continue to bear witness courageously and
openly to the Word of God.
- APRIL
General:
That even in difficult and complex situations of present-day society,
Christians may never tire of proclaiming with their lives Christ’s
resurrection, the source of hope and peace.
Mission:
That
future priests in young Churches may be ever more seriously formed
culturally and spiritually in order to evangelise their respective
countries and the whole world.
- MAY
General:
That Christians may use literature, art and the media to greater
advantage to favour a culture which defends and promotes the values
of the human person
Mission:
That
just as she accompanied the Apostles in the early stages of the
Church, may the Blessed Virgin Mary, Star of Evangelisation and
Queen of Apostles, continue to guide missionaries throughout the
world with maternal affection.
- JUNE
General:
That Christians may cultivate a deep and personal friendship with
Christ so they are able to communicate the strength of His love
to those they encounter
Mission:
That
the International Eucharistic Congress in Quebec, Canada, may
lead to ever deeper understanding of the Eucharist, the heart
of the Church and source of evangelisation.
- JULY
General:
That there may be an increase in the number of those who volunteer
to serve the Christian community with generous and prompt availability
Mission:
That
World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia, may kindle the fire of divine
love in numerous young people and render them sowers of hope for
a new humanity
- AUGUST
General:
That the human family may learn to respect God’s plan for
the world and become ever more aware that Creation is God’s
great gift.
Mission:
That
the answer of the entire people of God to the common calling to
holiness and mission may be promoted and fostered by means of
careful discernment of charisma and constant commitment to spiritual
and cultural formation
- SEPTEMBER
General:
That those who are forced to leave home and country because of
war or oppressive regimes may be supported by Christians in the
defence and protection of their rights.
Mission:
That
faithful to the sacrament of matrimony every Christian family
may cultivate the values of love and communion in order to be
a small evangelising community, sensitive and open to the material
and spiritual needs of others
- OCTOBER
General:
That the Synod of Bishops may help bishops and theologians as
well as catechists and pastoral workers engaged in the service
of the Word of God transmit with courage the truth of the faith
in communion with the entire Church.
Mission:
That
in this month dedicated to the Missions every Christian community
may feel the need to share in the Church’s universal mission
with prayers, sacrifices and material help.
- NOVEMBER
General:
That the testimony of love offered by the Saints, may fortify
Christians in their service to God and neighbour, imitating Christ
who came not to be served but to serve.
Mission:
That
Christian communities in Asia, contemplating the face of Christ,
may find the most suitable way to announce Him in full fidelity
to the Gospel to the peoples of that vast continent so rich in
culture and ancient forms of spirituality.
- DECEMBER
General:
That in the face of a spreading of a culture of violence the Church
through her apostolic and missionary activity may promote with
courage the culture of life.
Mission:
That
especially in mission countries Christians may show with acts
of fraternal love that the Child born in the stable at Bethlehem
is the luminous Hope of the world.
|
|
|
|
