Pope St John XXIII

Jesus, In The Blessed Sacrament

O Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, I would like to be filled with love for You; keep me closely united with You, may my heart be near to Yours.
I want to be to You, like the Apostle John.

O Mary of the Rosary, keep me recollected when I say these prayers of yours; bind me forever, with your rosary, to Jesus of the Blessed Sacrament.

Blessed be Jesus, my love. Amen.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Hail, Mother of the Americas, Heavenly Missionary of the New World!
From the Sanctuary of Tepeyac you have been, for more than four centuries, the Mother and Teacher of the Faith to the peoples of the Americas.
Be also our protection and save us, O Immaculate Mary.
Aid our rulers; stir up a new zeal in our prelates; increase the virtues of our clergy and preserve forever our Faith.
In every home may the holiness of the family flourish, and in the shelter of the home may Catholic education, favoured by your own benign glance, achieve a wholesome growth.

For Fathers

Saint Joseph, guardian of Jesus
and chaste husband of Mary,
you passed your life in loving fulfilment of duty.
You supported the holy family of Nazareth
with the work of your hands.
Kindly protect those who trustingly come to you.
You know their aspirations,
their hardships, their hopes.
They look to you because they know
you will understand and protect them.
You too knew trial,
labour and weariness.
But amid the worries of material life,
your soul was full of deep peace
and sang out in true joy
through intimacy with God’s Son entrusted to you
and with Mary, his tender Mother.
Assure those you protect that they do not labour alone.
Teach them to find Jesus near them
and to watch over Him faithfully as you have done. Amen.

For Peace

Lord Jesus Christ,
who are called the Prince of Peace,
who are yourself our peace and reconciliation,
who so often said,
“Peace to you,”
grant us peace.
Make all men and women witnesses of truth,
justice, and brotherly love.
Banish from their hearts whatever might endanger peace.
Enlighten our rulers that they may guarantee
and defend the great gift of peace.
May all peoples of the earth become as brothers and sisters.
May longed-for peace blossom forth
and reign always over us all.

(By St Pope St John XXIII)

Canonisation Prayer

Dear Pope John,

Your simplicity and meekness carried the scent of God and sparked in people’s hearts the desire for goodness. You spoke often of the beauty of the family gathered around the table to share bread and faith: pray for us that once again true families would live in our homes.

With outstretched hands you sowed hope, and you taught us to listen for God’s footsteps as he prepares a new humanity: help us have a healthy optimism of defeating evil with good.

You loved the world with its light and darkness, and you believed that peace is possible: help us be instruments of peace at home and in our communities.

With paternal gentleness you gave all children a caress: you moved the world and reminded us that hands have been given to us not for striking, but for embracing and drying tears.

Pray for us so that we do not limit ourselves to cursing the darkness but that we bring the light, bringing Jesus everywhere and always praying to Mary. Amen.