Prayer for General Congregation
2011
DAILY PRAYER
Most Holy Trinity,
we thank you for choosing us
as collaborators
in your mission
in the true spirit of Mary Ward
in freedom, justice and sincerity.
May your Spirit
that led Jesus during his mission on earth
guide us in the preparation for our General Congregation,
that in all our discernments, deliberations and decisions
we may proceed as Jesus did,
bringing hope and life to all.
May your spirit of wisdom open our hearts and minds
to your presence in the world
so that we may take new steps
to respond whole-heartedly
to the needs of the times.
Transform our inner vision
that we may love and serve you
in all things
to your greater service and glory.
Amen
we thank you for choosing us
as collaborators
in your mission
in the true spirit of Mary Ward
in freedom, justice and sincerity.
May your Spirit
that led Jesus during his mission on earth
guide us in the preparation for our General Congregation,
that in all our discernments, deliberations and decisions
we may proceed as Jesus did,
bringing hope and life to all.
May your spirit of wisdom open our hearts and minds
to your presence in the world
so that we may take new steps
to respond whole-heartedly
to the needs of the times.
Transform our inner vision
that we may love and serve you
in all things
to your greater service and glory.
Amen
January
Mary Ward’s vision as women in the Church
“Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Gospel to all creation” (Mk 16:15)
Mary Ward, this apostolic and prophetic woman, who believed that ‘women in time to come will do great things,’ invites us to commit ourselves in the mission of the church with great disponibility and daring.
“Only such as belong wholly to God, as live this in truth, are strong and fitting for such good works as are in this world to be done.” (M. Ward, VP 33; Oct. 1619)
Increase in us, O Lord, the desire to serve you more and more, in your Church present in the world. May we be able to continue your own mission as women with the same fidelity that animated and moved our foundress Mary Ward. Lord, lead and guide us in the spirit of discernment as we prepare ourselves for GC2011. Amen
February
Universal Mission in
today’s World
today’s World
“I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.” (Lk 4:43)
Mission is at the heart of Ignatian religious commitment. “Whoever wishes to join me in this mission…” (Ex 95). How do we, sisters of the Congregatio Jesu respond today?
“To be placed with Jesus to share in his mission… is the grace of our vocation.” (CN 6.50)
“Here is such crying out for ours to come ... It is a pain to think how few years there remains for ours to labour in, and much more, how much there is to do in this short time.” (Mary Ward to B. Babthorpe, 1627)
God our Father, help us to share the compassion of your Son Jesus for the whole of creation. May we build communities which are signs of your presence, and share the good news of salvation. May your spirit of wisdom lead us as we prepare ourselves for GC2011. Amen
March
Service of Faith
that does Justice
that does Justice
“I have come so that they may have life and have it more abundantly.” (Jn 1:10)
As companions of Mary Ward we are called to share in Christ’s mission, by supporting and promoting life through the service of charity, which finds expression in personal witness and prayer, social activities and involvement that ensures care of the earth, and economic justice and peace for all.
“To love the poor, persevere in the same, live, die and rise with them was all the aim of Mary Ward.” (M. Ward’s Gravestone)
Parent of parents and Friend of all friends, fill us with your compassion that we may create with you a just world where all life is respected and resources are shared by all peoples. Grant that ‘we may act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly before you.’ May your spirit of peace and justice lead and guide us as we prepare ourselves for GC2011. Amen
April
Mission in a global World
“New Frontiers”
“New Frontiers”
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me; he has anointed me to bring the good news to the afflicted.” (Lk 4:18)
We live in a globalised, fragmented and changing world. The cry of the marginalized, the excluded and the wounded sounds in our ears every day. Our mission in this context is not limited to what we do, but is reflected in how we live. To be prophetic women, as Mary Ward was, we are invited to be contemplatives in action and to live a responsible life style.
“Only such as belong wholly to God, as live this in truth, are strong and fitting for such good works as are in this world to be done.” (Mary Ward, VP 33./Oct. 1619)
We thank and praise you, Lord, for your Incarnation and for your Redemption. Help us to be unconditionally available and generous in our response to the new challenges of the world. May your spirit of wisdom lead us in the preparation of GC2011. Amen
May
Ecological awareness
“I will bless you, O Lord God, you fill the world with awe, you dress yourself in light, in rich, majestic light.” (Psalm 104)
As companions of Mary Ward we are invited to refer all to God, to seek and find God in all things and all things in God. Through the profession of our vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, we declare our single-hearted commitment to the mission of God’s love in our world. Our vows have significance for the global society in relation to the care and respect for the earth, universal human rights and a culture of peace and justice.
“Be wholly God’s and keep to your utmost all he hath given you or left in your charge.” (Mary Ward to Win Wigmore, 1636)
God, source of all life, open our eyes to the creative possibility of every situation no matter how painful or threatening the present chaos seems to be. May your spirit of wisdom lead us in the preparation of GC2011. Amen
June
Dialogue in a multi-cultural and multi-religious world
“In Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” (Gal 5:6)
According to Pope Paul VI, the goal of dialogue is to manifest Christ’s love for people. We should therefore help make way for all positive and constructive interreligious relations which are directed towards building a harmonious society and a peaceful world. Our call to apostolic service requires “entering into genuine dialogue with new developments and unfamiliar cultures, openness to the signs of the times and ability to respond to people’s need.” (CN 7.9b)
“It is an honour to work for God.” (Mary Ward)
God our Father, help us to be instruments of your love and share the good news of salvation with all people. Help us to appreciate and respect diversity in your universe. May your spirit of wisdom lead us in the preparation of GC2011. Amen
July
Mass Media
as instrument for mission
as instrument for mission
“What I say to you in the dark, tell in the daylight; what you hear in whispers, proclaim from the housetop.” (Mt 10:27)
We are living in the age of global communication and the new technology puts at our disposal a variety of possibilities to get in touch with different cultures and events. “Social Communications can be an instrument of encounter between Faith and Culture.” (John Paul II). We are invited to seek ways of using the modern means of communication to proclaim the Gospel message, at the same time allowing ourselves to listen and to learn from the messages that the media brings to us daily.
“Divine love is like fire which will not let itself be shut up; for it is impossible to love God and not to labour to extend his honour.” (Mary Ward)
Holy Trinity, model of perfect communication, grant us wisdom and readiness to use the media to promote communion and solidarity. May your spirit of hope lead us in the preparation of GC2011. Amen
We are living in the age of global communication and the new technology puts at our disposal a variety of possibilities to get in touch with different cultures and events. “Social Communications can be an instrument of encounter between Faith and Culture.” (John Paul II). We are invited to seek ways of using the modern means of communication to proclaim the Gospel message, at the same time allowing ourselves to listen and to learn from the messages that the media brings to us daily.
“Divine love is like fire which will not let itself be shut up; for it is impossible to love God and not to labour to extend his honour.” (Mary Ward)
Holy Trinity, model of perfect communication, grant us wisdom and readiness to use the media to promote communion and solidarity. May your spirit of hope lead us in the preparation of GC2011. Amen
August
Collaboration with the Laity in mission
“You are faithful in all you do for strangers… Therefore, we ought to support such persons, so that we may be co-workers in the truth.” (3 John 6-8)
The Church, as well as the world, needs today a deeper collaboration in mission. The apostolic and spiritual networks need to be developed at a national and inter-national level. It is important to collaborate with the laity “in companionship: serving together, learning from and responding to each other’s concerns and initiatives, dialoguing with one another on apostolic objectives”. (GC/SJ/34, decree 13). With Mary Ward we are aware that the aptitude for apostolic service requires also a loyal and trusting collaboration.
“Whoever wishes to do much good in this Company for the honour of God and salvation of his neighbour must place the common profit before his own.” (Mary Ward)
God our Father, help us to open ourselves for collaboration in mutual respect and openness in the truth. May your spirit of wisdom lead us in the preparation of GC2011. Amen
The Church, as well as the world, needs today a deeper collaboration in mission. The apostolic and spiritual networks need to be developed at a national and inter-national level. It is important to collaborate with the laity “in companionship: serving together, learning from and responding to each other’s concerns and initiatives, dialoguing with one another on apostolic objectives”. (GC/SJ/34, decree 13). With Mary Ward we are aware that the aptitude for apostolic service requires also a loyal and trusting collaboration.
“Whoever wishes to do much good in this Company for the honour of God and salvation of his neighbour must place the common profit before his own.” (Mary Ward)
God our Father, help us to open ourselves for collaboration in mutual respect and openness in the truth. May your spirit of wisdom lead us in the preparation of GC2011. Amen
September
Apostolic Community
“As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” (John 17:18)
As members of the Congregatio Jesu we are called to be companions of Jesus, women at the heart of the Church, ‘placed with the Son’ in a discipleship of love, ready to labour with freedom and joy, that in all things God may be glorified. “We belong to a community of friends in the Lord.” (CN 8.1). The apostolic community becomes a sign of God’s presence among men and women through a life of loving service, prayer and apostolate, striving to be of one heart and mind.
“We are bound to give our lives for our neighbours’ souls, and our goods for their lives, and not our superfluities but what may touch us.” (Mary Ward, 1626)
Holy Trinity, source of all life and goodness, put a new heart and a new spirit within us so that in all things we may live and serve according to your plan for each one of us. May your spirit of love and compassion, lead us in the preparation of GC2011. Amen
As members of the Congregatio Jesu we are called to be companions of Jesus, women at the heart of the Church, ‘placed with the Son’ in a discipleship of love, ready to labour with freedom and joy, that in all things God may be glorified. “We belong to a community of friends in the Lord.” (CN 8.1). The apostolic community becomes a sign of God’s presence among men and women through a life of loving service, prayer and apostolate, striving to be of one heart and mind.
“We are bound to give our lives for our neighbours’ souls, and our goods for their lives, and not our superfluities but what may touch us.” (Mary Ward, 1626)
Holy Trinity, source of all life and goodness, put a new heart and a new spirit within us so that in all things we may live and serve according to your plan for each one of us. May your spirit of love and compassion, lead us in the preparation of GC2011. Amen
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