Prayers of the Faithful, General Intercessions, Petitions
Prayers of the Faithful, General Intercessions, Petitions
Prayers of the Faithful, General Intercessions, Petitions
December 28, 2025
January 4, 2026
Epiphany (ABC)
The Church
We pray for the Eastern churches, that their cherished spiritual traditions will enrich the whole people of God. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
SOURCE: Australian Catholics
For the Church: that, through our words and deeds, we may be a Light to those who are searching for direction and a sign of hope for those seeking to begin again
We pray for those with no Christian faith, that Christmas crib displays will prompt them to wonder at the mystery of salvation. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
SOURCE: Sunday Website
The Church
Epiphany of the Lord
ROME REPORTS (1:40) – Message from the Pope to Latin-rite Catholics: Respect, learn from, and protect the Eastern rites.
We pray for the unity of all Catholics, especially between the Latin and Eastern Rite Churches. May Pope Francis’ words inspire mutual respect and learning among our traditions. Grant the Church strength, hope, and peace.
Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come,
the glory of the Lord shines upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth,
and thick clouds cover the peoples;
but upon you the LORD shines,
and over you appears his glory.
Nations shall walk by your light,
and kings by your shining radiance.
FIRST READING
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PEOPLE OF GOD
FIRST READING
For Pope Leo XIV and the Universal Church
That the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, may rise up in splendor, reflecting the glory of the Lord so brightly that nations may walk by the light of his teaching and leadership, drawing all people out of the darkness of the world into the radiance of the Church. We pray to the Lord.
For Bishops Gathering God’s People
For our bishops, that they may lift up their eyes and see the immense gathering of God’s people, welcoming sons from afar and daughters tenderly carried, ensuring their dioceses become radiant centers of faith that attract the searching multitude. We pray to the Lord.
For Priests and Deacons receiving abundance
That the hearts of our priests and deacons may throb and overflow with joy as they witness the riches of the sea—the diverse peoples returning to the sacraments—pouring into their parishes through their welcoming ministry. We pray to the Lord.
For Religious and Consecrated Life bearing witness
For those in consecrated life, that like the caravans of Midian and Ephah, they may cover the earth with witness, bearing their vows as spiritual gold and frankincense, proclaiming the praises of the Lord to all they encounter. We pray to the Lord.
For the Laity in the Marketplace
That lay people working in secular fields may use their professional talents and the wealth of nations to build up God’s kingdom, offering their daily labor as tangible gold and fragrant frankincense in service to the Church’s mission. We pray to the Lord.
SECOND READING
For Pope Leo XIV as Steward of Grace
For Pope Leo XIV, entrusted with the stewardship of God’s grace for the universal Church, that the Holy Spirit may continue to reveal deep mysteries to him, helping him guide all humanity to see themselves as coheirs in Christ. We pray to the Lord.
For Bishops proclaiming the mystery
That our bishops, successors to the holy apostles and prophets, may be attentive to the Spirit, boldly proclaiming the mystery made known to them: that all people, regardless of background, are called to be members of the same body. We pray to the Lord.
For Priests and Deacons reaching the marginalized
For priests and deacons, that their ministry may extend beyond established boundaries to modern “Gentiles”—the unchurched and marginalized—helping them realize they too are copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel. We pray to the Lord.
For Religious illustrating unity
That religious brothers and sisters, through their radical community life, may be visible signs of the mystery revealed in past generations, showing a divided world what it means to live fully integrated as members of the same spiritual body. We pray to the Lord.
For the Laity as copartners in the workplace
For the laity in their daily work, that they may recognize their colleagues not merely as competitors but as potential coheirs, acting as channels of grace in offices and factories, demonstrating that the promise of Christ belongs to every vocation. We pray to the Lord.
GOSPEL
For Pope Leo XIV seeking the King
That Pope Leo XIV, like the wise Magi from the east, may always keep his eyes fixed on the star of faith, leading the Church on a perpetual pilgrimage to seek out and do homage to the newborn King wherever He is found in the world. We pray to the Lord.
For Bishops guiding the search
For our bishops, that unlike a troubled Jerusalem, they may joyfully assemble the community to diligently search the scriptures, rightly guiding the faithful away from earthly powers and toward the true presence of Christ in our midst. We pray to the Lord.
For Priests and Deacons as leading stars
That our priests and deacons may so clearly reflect the light of Christ that they act as the star preceding the faithful, stopping over the tabernacles of their parishes where the Child is present, leading others to adoration. We pray to the Lord.
For Religious offering treasures
For consecrated religious, that having found the Lord in their vocation, they may prostrate themselves in daily service, opening their treasures to offer gifts of gold through obedience, frankincense through prayer, and myrrh through sacrificial suffering. We pray to the Lord.
For the Laity returning by another way
That lay Catholics, having encountered Jesus in the Eucharist on Sunday, may return to their secular workplaces by “another way,” changed by the encounter, refusing to cooperate with the Herods of this world and instead witnessing to the newborn King. We pray to the Lord.
Governing Authorities and the Salvation of the World
We pray for an end to all forms of hate and bigotry, that every person and group will be accorded the respect that is their birthright. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
SOURCE: Australian Catholics
For all who have fled war zones, disasters, persecution, or discrimination: that God will help them to establish new lives and experience justice and respect in their new communities
For greater unity and cooperation within the human family: that God will heal the wounds between various groups, open hearts to the talents of every person, and help us work together against violence, drug abuse, and poverty
For the members of Congress: that God will give them clear understanding of the issues in our society, courage to address them, and helpful insights to improve the common good
SOURCE: Sunday Website
The World
Epiphany of the Lord
CBS (0:35) – Pope Leo XIV received a thoroughbred Arabian horse named Proton that reminds him of his years as a missionary. The donor says he was inspired to gift the purebred Arabian horse after he saw a photo of the pope on horseback in Peru.
We pray for the world and its leaders, asking for Your guidance and grace. Just as the Magi brought precious gifts to honor Jesus, and even today visitors to the Vatican give gifts to the pope, we offer our prayers for unity and cooperation.
Riches… shall be emptied out before you,
the wealth of nations be brought to you.
Caravans of camels fill you,
dromedaries from Midian and Ephah;
all from Sheba shall come
FIRST READING
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POLITICS
FIRST READING
For Radiant Hearts in Political Discourse
That leaders currently covered by thick clouds of partisan division may lift up their eyes to see the gathered needs of the whole populace, allowing their hearts to be radiant and open rather than hardened, turning their influence into tools for unity rather than weapons of conflict. We pray to the Lord…
For a Shared Caravan of Progress
That competing political parties may act like the diverse caravans bearing gold and frankincense, realizing they are traveling together, and choose to bring forth their differing ideas not as ammunition, but as precious gifts offered respectfully for the common good of the nation. We pray to the Lord…
SECOND READING
For Recognizing We Are Coheirs
For all engaged in political life, that the Spirit may reveal the profound mystery that those on the opposing side of the aisle are in fact coheirs and members of the same national body, prompting a stewardship of grace that replaces old hostilities with a recognition of shared partnership. We pray to the Lord…
For Empathy Within the One Body
That political rivals may move beyond the tribal divisions known to past generations, developing the open-mindedness to see that damaging the opposition actually wounds members of the same body, and instead strive with empathy to be true copartners in building a just society. We pray to the Lord…
GOSPEL
For Humility in Seeking Common Truth
That political leaders may abandon the fearful power-seeking of Herod and instead adopt the humility of the Magi, diligently seeking the truth together regardless of its source, and opening their treasures of knowledge in constructive dialogue rather than hoarding them for partisan advantage. We pray to the Lord…
For Choosing Another Way in Politics
For a transformation of our political culture, that leaders, having encountered the urgent realities facing our communities, may be warned against returning to old patterns of destructive polarization and courageously choose to depart by “another way” of mutual understanding and cooperation. We pray to the Lord…
WORLD PEACE
FIRST READING
For the Dispelling of War’s Darkness
That for the peoples of Eastern Europe and the Middle East currently covered by thick clouds of violence, the glory of the Lord may rise and shine upon them, replacing the darkness of conflict with a radiant peace that causes hearts to throb and overflow with relief and stability. We pray to the Lord…
For Economic Cooperation Among Nations
That the tense trade relations between China and the West may be transformed, so that the wealth of nations and the abundance of the sea are not used as weapons of economic warfare, but are brought together like gold and frankincense to build a global community of mutual prosperity. We pray to the Lord…
SECOND READING
For Recognizing Enemies as Coheirs
For those entrenched in the conflicts of the Middle East, that the Spirit may reveal the profound mystery that Israeli and Palestinian, Jew and Gentile, are meant to be members of the same body, moving them to act as true copartners in the promise of a shared, peaceful land. We pray to the Lord…
For a Stewardship of International Grace
That world leaders dealing with the crises in Ukraine and Eastern Europe may exercise a true stewardship of grace, realizing that the revelation of peace belongs to all people, and that no nation should be excluded from the dignity of being accounted as fellow heirs of a secure future. We pray to the Lord…
GOSPEL
For Seeking Wisdom over Power
That political powers in Asia and the West, unlike troubled Herod who sought to destroy perceived rivals, may act like the Magi from the east, humbly following the star of wisdom to diligently search for common ground and offer their resources as treasures for peace rather than conflict. We pray to the Lord…
For Choosing Another Way in Geopolitics
For diplomats negotiating ceasefires in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, that having encountered the innocent victims of war, they may be warned against returning to old patterns of aggression and find the courage to depart for home by “another way” of dialogue and lasting reconciliation. We pray to the Lord…
For Those Facing Adversities
We pray for the victims of crime, that those who have suffered harm will recover from their trauma and not be trapped in bitterness. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for children with special needs, that they and their families will receive the support they need to lead truly fulfilling lives. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
SOURCE: Australian Catholics
For all who do not know God: that they may perceive the signs of God’s love in their lives and like the wisemen, be persistent in searching for God who is the source and fulfillment of their lives
For parents of missing or run-away children: that God will watch over and protect their child from harm, and open a pathway for them to reconnect
For all who have experienced abuse: that God will heal their pain, guide them to healing resources, and give them strength
SOURCE: Sunday Website
Special Needs
Epiphany of the Lord
EWTN (4:10) – As new challenges arise for persons with disabilities, EWTN’s Julia Convery shares what the Church is doing right now to raise awareness and encourage full participation of the disabled in our faith.
Lord, help us recognize the unique gifts and worth of those with special needs. Bless them with joy, strength, and acceptance. Guide us to create inclusive communities where everyone is a partner in the promise of Christ feeling valued and supported.
Gentiles are coheirs,
members of the same body,
and copartners in the promise
in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
SECOND READING
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PRIESTS FOR LIFE (2:11)
RESPECT FOR LIFE
FIRST READING
Prayer for the Unborn: Radiance Over Darkness.
That the glory of the Lord may rise upon our culture, dispelling the thick clouds of darkness that obscure the value of unborn life, so that we may see the radiance of God in every child and welcome these sons and daughters with overflowing, joyful hearts. We pray to the Lord…
Prayer for the Vulnerable: Honoring Precious Gifts.
That society may lift up its eyes and see the elderly, the disabled, and the infirm not as burdens, but as bearers of spiritual gold and frankincense, treating their distinct lives as precious treasures to be guarded with the splendor of human dignity. We pray to the Lord…
SECOND READING
Prayer for Redemption: Members of One Body.
For a recognition of the profound mystery that even those condemned on death row remain members of the same human body and potential coheirs of grace, encouraging a justice system that respects life while seeking accountability and true restoration. We pray to the Lord…
Prayer for Human Dignity: Stewardship of the Body.
That we may exercise a true stewardship of God’s grace by rejecting pornography and all forms of human exploitation, recognizing every person not as an object for consumption, but as a sacred copartner in the promise of eternal life. We pray to the Lord…
GOSPEL
Prayer for Protection: Defending the Innocent.
That our society, often troubled like Herod by the presence of inconvenient life, may instead imitate the Magi by seeking out the vulnerable child in the womb, doing homage to their inherent worth, and protecting them from the violence of abortion. We pray to the Lord…
Prayer for Action: Offering Our Treasures.
That we may open our treasures of time, resources, and compassion to support expectant mothers and families facing crisis pregnancies, courageously choosing to depart from the culture of death and walk by “another way” that cherishes every human life. We pray to the Lord…
The Local Community
We pray for families in all their rich diversity. May the festive season bring their members together in a spirit of joy and gratitude. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
SOURCE: Australian Catholics
For greater trust: that, like the Wise Men, God’s Light may guide us through the unknown of the coming days as we rely more deeply on God’s love and care for us
For a renewal of prayer in our lives: that we may make time for God each day of this year and be attentive to God’s invitations and promptings in our hearts
For a spirit of wonder: that our hearts may be filled with joy as we recognize God’s many gifts to us in our relationships, our opportunities, and our freedoms
SOURCE: Sunday Website
Local Community
Epiphany of the Lord
ST. MICHAEL SIOUX FALLS (2:50) – Fr. Tom Hartman
We pray for Your blessing upon our homes and families. Guide us to mark our doorposts with faith. May our homes be sanctuaries of peace, filled with Your love and the spirit of Christ.
They were overjoyed at seeing the star,
and on entering the house
they saw the child with Mary his mother.
They prostrated themselves and did him homage.
GOSPEL
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FAMILIES
FIRST READING
Prayer for Parents: Tenderly Carrying the Light.
That parents facing the thick clouds that sometimes cover family life may see the glory of the Lord rising upon them, finding strength to be radiant lights who tenderly carry their sons and daughters through the darkness with throbbing and overflowing hearts. We pray to the Lord…
Prayer for Families: A Radiant Gathering.
For families separated by distance or division, that they may lift up their eyes and see God’s invitation to unity, allowing their hearts to be radiant with the joy of being gathered together again like sons and daughters returning from afar. We pray to the Lord…
SECOND READING
Prayer for Instruction: Stewards of Grace.
That Christian parents may fulfill their vocation as stewards of God’s grace within their homes, revealing the profound mystery of the faith to the next generation and teaching their children that they are valued members of the one Body of Christ. We pray to the Lord…
Prayer for Unity: Coheirs in the Promise.
For blended and adoptive families, that the Spirit may reveal to them the depth of the mystery that, despite diverse origins, they are bonded together by love as true coheirs and copartners in the promise of God’s family. We pray to the Lord…
GOSPEL
Prayer for Protection: Defending the Vulnerable Child.
That our society may recognize the presence of Christ in every vulnerable child, and like the Magi who refused to aid the troubled King Herod, may we actively protect the innocent from all powers that seek to harm them. We pray to the Lord…
Prayer for Generosity: Opening Family Treasures.
For families who have abundance, that like the wise men entering the humble house, they may be overjoyed to encounter those in need and open their treasures, offering gifts of time, resources, and compassion to support struggling households. We pray to the Lord…
SACRAMENTS
FIRST READING
Prayer for Baptism: Radiant Light.
That through the sacrament of Baptism, having been called out of thick clouds of darkness into God’s marvelous light, the community may rise up in splendor, radiating the glory of the Lord so brightly that others are drawn to the font of life. We pray to the Lord…
Prayer for Eucharist: Offering Gifts.
That in the Holy Eucharist, where the scattered children of God are gathered together, we may recognize the glory of the Lord shining in our midst and offer our lives like gold and frankincense in authentic praise and thanksgiving. We pray to the Lord…
SECOND READING
Prayer for Confirmation: Stewards of Grace.
That through the seal of Confirmation, the faithful may deepen their understanding of the mystery revealed, realizing they are empowered by the Spirit as true stewards of grace to serve as active members of the one Body of Christ. We pray to the Lord…
Prayer for Matrimony: The Great Mystery.
That Christian marriage may be a profound revelation of the mystery of Christ’s love for His Church, where husbands and wives live as true copartners in the promise, testifying to the world the unity of being members of the same Body. We pray to the Lord…
GOSPEL
Prayer for Reconciliation: Returning by Another Way.
That through the sacrament of Penance, those who have lost their way may encounter the mercy of the newborn King, and having been warned against the deceits of sin, find the grace to depart for home by a new path of holiness. We pray to the Lord…
Prayer for Holy Orders: Guiding Star.
That bishops, priests, and deacons may act as reliable stars guiding the faithful on their journey, leading the community away from earthly powers to the humble place where they may prostrate themselves in adoration of Christ Jesus. We pray to the Lord…
The Church
Epiphany of the Lord
ROME REPORTS (1:40) – Message from the Pope to Latin-rite Catholics: Respect, learn from, and protect the Eastern rites.
We pray for the unity of all Catholics, especially between the Latin and Eastern Rite Churches. May Pope Francis’ words inspire mutual respect and learning among our traditions. Grant the Church strength, hope, and peace.
Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come,
the glory of the Lord shines upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth,
and thick clouds cover the peoples;
but upon you the LORD shines,
and over you appears his glory.
Nations shall walk by your light,
and kings by your shining radiance.
FIRST READING
Infographics on the WORD THIS WEEK website are created using Nano Banana Pro with Gemini 3.0. They may be copied for personal use or for use in any non-profit ministry. Please show your support by promoting the website.
PEOPLE OF GOD
FIRST READING
For Pope Leo XIV and the Universal Church
That the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, may rise up in splendor, reflecting the glory of the Lord so brightly that nations may walk by the light of his teaching and leadership, drawing all people out of the darkness of the world into the radiance of the Church. We pray to the Lord.
For Bishops Gathering God’s People
For our bishops, that they may lift up their eyes and see the immense gathering of God’s people, welcoming sons from afar and daughters tenderly carried, ensuring their dioceses become radiant centers of faith that attract the searching multitude. We pray to the Lord.
For Priests and Deacons receiving abundance
That the hearts of our priests and deacons may throb and overflow with joy as they witness the riches of the sea—the diverse peoples returning to the sacraments—pouring into their parishes through their welcoming ministry. We pray to the Lord.
For Religious and Consecrated Life bearing witness
For those in consecrated life, that like the caravans of Midian and Ephah, they may cover the earth with witness, bearing their vows as spiritual gold and frankincense, proclaiming the praises of the Lord to all they encounter. We pray to the Lord.
For the Laity in the Marketplace
That lay people working in secular fields may use their professional talents and the wealth of nations to build up God’s kingdom, offering their daily labor as tangible gold and fragrant frankincense in service to the Church’s mission. We pray to the Lord.
SECOND READING
For Pope Leo XIV as Steward of Grace
For Pope Leo XIV, entrusted with the stewardship of God’s grace for the universal Church, that the Holy Spirit may continue to reveal deep mysteries to him, helping him guide all humanity to see themselves as coheirs in Christ. We pray to the Lord.
For Bishops proclaiming the mystery
That our bishops, successors to the holy apostles and prophets, may be attentive to the Spirit, boldly proclaiming the mystery made known to them: that all people, regardless of background, are called to be members of the same body. We pray to the Lord.
For Priests and Deacons reaching the marginalized
For priests and deacons, that their ministry may extend beyond established boundaries to modern “Gentiles”—the unchurched and marginalized—helping them realize they too are copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel. We pray to the Lord.
For Religious illustrating unity
That religious brothers and sisters, through their radical community life, may be visible signs of the mystery revealed in past generations, showing a divided world what it means to live fully integrated as members of the same spiritual body. We pray to the Lord.
For the Laity as copartners in the workplace
For the laity in their daily work, that they may recognize their colleagues not merely as competitors but as potential coheirs, acting as channels of grace in offices and factories, demonstrating that the promise of Christ belongs to every vocation. We pray to the Lord.
GOSPEL
For Pope Leo XIV seeking the King
That Pope Leo XIV, like the wise Magi from the east, may always keep his eyes fixed on the star of faith, leading the Church on a perpetual pilgrimage to seek out and do homage to the newborn King wherever He is found in the world. We pray to the Lord.
For Bishops guiding the search
For our bishops, that unlike a troubled Jerusalem, they may joyfully assemble the community to diligently search the scriptures, rightly guiding the faithful away from earthly powers and toward the true presence of Christ in our midst. We pray to the Lord.
For Priests and Deacons as leading stars
That our priests and deacons may so clearly reflect the light of Christ that they act as the star preceding the faithful, stopping over the tabernacles of their parishes where the Child is present, leading others to adoration. We pray to the Lord.
For Religious offering treasures
For consecrated religious, that having found the Lord in their vocation, they may prostrate themselves in daily service, opening their treasures to offer gifts of gold through obedience, frankincense through prayer, and myrrh through sacrificial suffering. We pray to the Lord.
For the Laity returning by another way
That lay Catholics, having encountered Jesus in the Eucharist on Sunday, may return to their secular workplaces by “another way,” changed by the encounter, refusing to cooperate with the Herods of this world and instead witnessing to the newborn King. We pray to the Lord.
The Church
Epiphany of the Lord
ROME REPORTS (1:40) – Message from the Pope to Latin-rite Catholics: Respect, learn from, and protect the Eastern rites.
We pray for the unity of all Catholics, especially between the Latin and Eastern Rite Churches. May Pope Francis’ words inspire mutual respect and learning among our traditions. Grant the Church strength, hope, and peace.
Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come,
the glory of the Lord shines upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth,
and thick clouds cover the peoples;
but upon you the LORD shines,
and over you appears his glory.
Nations shall walk by your light,
and kings by your shining radiance.
FIRST READING
Infographics on the WORD THIS WEEK website are created using Nano Banana Pro with Gemini 3.0. They may be copied for personal use or for use in any non-profit ministry. Please show your support by promoting the website.
PEOPLE OF GOD
FIRST READING
For Pope Leo XIV and the Universal Church
That the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, may rise up in splendor, reflecting the glory of the Lord so brightly that nations may walk by the light of his teaching and leadership, drawing all people out of the darkness of the world into the radiance of the Church. We pray to the Lord.
For Bishops Gathering God’s People
For our bishops, that they may lift up their eyes and see the immense gathering of God’s people, welcoming sons from afar and daughters tenderly carried, ensuring their dioceses become radiant centers of faith that attract the searching multitude. We pray to the Lord.
For Priests and Deacons receiving abundance
That the hearts of our priests and deacons may throb and overflow with joy as they witness the riches of the sea—the diverse peoples returning to the sacraments—pouring into their parishes through their welcoming ministry. We pray to the Lord.
For Religious and Consecrated Life bearing witness
For those in consecrated life, that like the caravans of Midian and Ephah, they may cover the earth with witness, bearing their vows as spiritual gold and frankincense, proclaiming the praises of the Lord to all they encounter. We pray to the Lord.
For the Laity in the Marketplace
That lay people working in secular fields may use their professional talents and the wealth of nations to build up God’s kingdom, offering their daily labor as tangible gold and fragrant frankincense in service to the Church’s mission. We pray to the Lord.
SECOND READING
For Pope Leo XIV as Steward of Grace
For Pope Leo XIV, entrusted with the stewardship of God’s grace for the universal Church, that the Holy Spirit may continue to reveal deep mysteries to him, helping him guide all humanity to see themselves as coheirs in Christ. We pray to the Lord.
For Bishops proclaiming the mystery
That our bishops, successors to the holy apostles and prophets, may be attentive to the Spirit, boldly proclaiming the mystery made known to them: that all people, regardless of background, are called to be members of the same body. We pray to the Lord.
For Priests and Deacons reaching the marginalized
For priests and deacons, that their ministry may extend beyond established boundaries to modern “Gentiles”—the unchurched and marginalized—helping them realize they too are copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel. We pray to the Lord.
For Religious illustrating unity
That religious brothers and sisters, through their radical community life, may be visible signs of the mystery revealed in past generations, showing a divided world what it means to live fully integrated as members of the same spiritual body. We pray to the Lord.
For the Laity as copartners in the workplace
For the laity in their daily work, that they may recognize their colleagues not merely as competitors but as potential coheirs, acting as channels of grace in offices and factories, demonstrating that the promise of Christ belongs to every vocation. We pray to the Lord.
GOSPEL
For Pope Leo XIV seeking the King
That Pope Leo XIV, like the wise Magi from the east, may always keep his eyes fixed on the star of faith, leading the Church on a perpetual pilgrimage to seek out and do homage to the newborn King wherever He is found in the world. We pray to the Lord.
For Bishops guiding the search
For our bishops, that unlike a troubled Jerusalem, they may joyfully assemble the community to diligently search the scriptures, rightly guiding the faithful away from earthly powers and toward the true presence of Christ in our midst. We pray to the Lord.
For Priests and Deacons as leading stars
That our priests and deacons may so clearly reflect the light of Christ that they act as the star preceding the faithful, stopping over the tabernacles of their parishes where the Child is present, leading others to adoration. We pray to the Lord.
For Religious offering treasures
For consecrated religious, that having found the Lord in their vocation, they may prostrate themselves in daily service, opening their treasures to offer gifts of gold through obedience, frankincense through prayer, and myrrh through sacrificial suffering. We pray to the Lord.
For the Laity returning by another way
That lay Catholics, having encountered Jesus in the Eucharist on Sunday, may return to their secular workplaces by “another way,” changed by the encounter, refusing to cooperate with the Herods of this world and instead witnessing to the newborn King. We pray to the Lord.
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