Pope Francis asks for our prayers for a specific intention each month. You are invited to answer the Holy Father's request and to join with many people worldwide in praying for the monthly intentions. The Pope's monthly intentions can be found on the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network. Click here to learn more about the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network.
May - For Faith Filled Young People
We pray for all young people, called to live life to the fullest; may they see in Mary’s life the way to listen, the depth of discernment, the courage that faith generates, and the dedication to service.
April - For Health Care Workers
We pray for health care workers who serve the sick and the elderly, especially in the poorest countries; may they be adequately supported by governments and local communities.
March - For A Christian Response To Bioethical Challenges
We pray for Christians facing new bioethical challenges; may they continue to defend the dignity of all human life with prayer and action
February - For Religious Sisters And Consecrated Women
We pray for religious sisters and consecrated women; thanking them for their mission and their courage; may they continue to find new responses to the challenges of our times.
January - For True Human Fraternity
We pray for all those suffering from religious discrimination and persecution, may their own rights and dignity be recognized, which originate from being brothers and sisters in the human family.
December - Catechists
Let us pray for the catechists, summoned to announce the Word of God: may they be its witnesses, with courage and creativity and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
November - People Who Suffer From Depression
October - Missionary Disciples
We pray that we all will make courageous choices for a simple and environmentally sustainable lifestyle, rejoicing in our young people who are resolutely committed to this.
August - Church On The Way
Let us pray for the Church, that she may receive from the Holy Spirit the grace and strength to reform herself in the light of the Gospel.
July - Social Friendship
We pray that, in social, economic and political situations of conflict, we may be courageous and passionate architects of dialogue and friendship.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, in you we contemplate the splendor of true love; to you we turn with trust.
Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that our families too may be places of communion and prayer, authentic schools of the Gospel and small domestic churches.
Holy Family of Nazareth, may families never again experience violence, rejection and division; may all who have been hurt or scandalized find ready comfort and healing.
Holy Family of Nazareth, make us once more mindful of the sacredness and inviolability of the family, and its beauty in God’s plan.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Graciously hear our prayer.
Amen.
Pope Francis, Amoris Laetitia
We pray for Christian families around the world; may they embody and experience unconditional love and advance in holiness in their daily lives.
For nearly two decades, we’ve said, ‘make good choices!’ to all six of our children on a regular basis. A counselor friend of mine once noted that sometimes even good people make bad choices, but the choice doesn’t take away the worth of the person. Say, even when my tweens threw a ball in the house, minutes after I asked them not to, decapitating my Mary statue! Now that those children are growing into teenagers and young adults, the spirit of unconditional love and advancing in holiness has taken on new meaning.
We sometimes equate holiness with perfection, but I’m guessing scores of heavenly saints would argue that it was their choices—sometimes good, often bad—that led them to the heart of Jesus. Well, that and the unconditional love of people who were in their corner, lifting them up when it mattered. Just ask St. Augustine and his mother, St. Monica. As a mom of six I will add that it’s my shortcomings (like my willingness to ask for forgiveness) and mercy of my children (to offer and accept forgiveness), that pushes us all a little closer to our eternal reward. As Pope John Paul II reminds us, “to maintain a joyful family requires much from both the parents and the children. Each member of the family has to become, in a special way, the servant of the others.”
When the world feels heavy and our crosses almost unbearable, may families focus on the choice right in front of them, willing to be a servant to one another. That foundation of grace, mercy and love will surely give us the strength we need to advance in holiness, one imperfect choice at a time.