Reparation and Prayer for the Catholic Church in Ireland

see also: Dublin Diocese resources: http://www.litmus.dublindiocese.ie/secmenudisp.php?MID=154

 

From the GOSPEL according to Matthew 18-5-7a,10

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Anyone who welcomes a little child in my name welcomes me. But anyone who is an obstacle to bring down one of these little ones who have faith in me would be better drowned in the depths of the sea with a great millstone round his neck.

Alas for the world that there should be such obstacles! See that you never despise any of these little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven are continually in the presence of my Father in heaven”.

 

OPENING PRAYER:

God of endless love, ever caring, ever strong, always present, always just: You gave your only Son to save us by the blood of his cross.

 Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace,

join to your own suffering

the pain of all who have been hurt

in body, mind, and spirit

by those who betrayed the trust placed in them.

Hear our cries of distress

over the harm done to our brothers and sisters.

Breathe wisdom into our prayers,

soothe restless hearts with hope,

steady shaken spirits with faith:

Show us the way to justice and wholeness,

enlightened by truth and enfolded in your mercy.

 

Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts,

heal your people’s wounds

and transform our brokenness.

Grant us courage and wisdom, humility and grace

so that we may act with justice

and find peace in you.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord, Amen.

 

CLOSING PRAYER.

God our rock and our strength on whom we lean.

Help us to create an atmosphere of trust

which allows the unspeakable to be said.

Help us to live with our painful memories.

May we support each other and be safe places for each other.

We pray in the name of Jesus, your compassion made flesh,

Who lives with you and the Spirit, now and for ever, Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

‘I myself shall take care of my flock and look after it.

I shall rescue them.

I myself shall pasture my sheep,

I myself shall give them rest.

I shall look for the lost one, bring back the stray,

Bandage the injured and make the sick strong.

I shall be a true shepherd to them. ‘ Ezekiel 34: 11,15-16

 

Act of Reparation

Almighty God, Father of Love, you have called us together in Christ as your family. In the name of the whole Church we come before you to express our sadness and remorse for the sins and crimes committed against children and young people by some priests and religious and for the grievous failures of some bishops and superiors to respond justly and responsibly to allegations of abuse. 0 God, we ask for mercy and seek to atone for the actions and inactions of the past that have obscured the light of the Gospel in Ireland.

WE COME TO ASK FORGIVENESS AND TO MAKE REPARATION:

• For the serious sins and abuse committed against children by priests and religious.

Have mercy Lord.

Have mercy

• For the immense harm done to victims, for having their trust betrayed and their dignity violated.

Have mercy Lord.

Have mercy

• For the times when the victims of abuse were not listened to.

Have mercy Lord.

Have mercy

• For the victims of abuse and their families who have suffered grievously.

Have mercy Lord.

Have mercy

• For the serious mistakes that were made in responding to allegations.

Have mercy Lord.

Have mercy

• For the great damage done to the Church.

Have mercy Lord.

Have mercy

• For the shame and dishonour brought to the priesthood and religious life.

Have mercy Lord.

Have mercy

• For the grave errors of judgement and failures of leadership.

Have mercy Lord.

Have mercy

• For the betrayal of a sacred trust.

Have mercy Lord.

Have mercy

• For the wounds inflicted on Christ’s body.

Have mercy Lord.

Have mercy

Let us pray:

Almighty and merciful God, open our eyes to see the evil that has been done. Touch our hearts and convert us to yourself. Where sin has divided and scattered, may your love make one again: where sin has brought weakness, may your power heal and strengthen; where sin has brought death, may your Spirit raise to new life. Give us a new heart to love you, so that our lives may reflect the image of your Son. May the world see the glory of Christ revealed in your Church, and come to know tl1at he is the one whom you have sent, Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. (prqyer adapted from the Rite of Penance)

 

INTERCESSIONS FOR THE CHURCH IN IRELAND

Lord Jesus Christ, you are The Good Shepherd who never leaves his flock untended. We turn to you and ask for your help in this time of pain and suffering in your Church. With confidence in your power to heal, strengthen and save, we implore you to hear our prayer;

• For Victims

that they may not lose hope but may, through your self-sacrificing love Lord Jesus, experience liberation, healing and peace; may they come to know your infinite love personally.

Lord Jesus, renew them in your love.

• For Parents

that they may be faithful to their responsibilities; help their children to grow up loved and cherished, in security, with a strong sense of their identity and worth; help them to learn and live their Catholic faith which leads to happiness.

Lord Jesus, renew them in your love.

• For children and young people

that they may develop a personal relationship with you Lord Jesus and a deep commitment to your Church, becoming your faithful disciples and workers in rebuilding and renewing the Church.

• Lord Jesus, renew them in your love

For the priests and religious who abused children and young people:

that they may take responsibility for the sins they committed, acknowledge their guilt ,and humbly express their sorrow: may they atone personally for their sinful actions, seek and receive your mercy. Lord Jesus, renew them in your love.

• For priests and religious

that they may be men and women devoted to you Lord Jesus, love you and be people of prayer who co-operate in working to overcome the present crisis.

Lord Jesus, renew them in your love.

• For bishops:

that they may be holy, live simply, be daily converted to you, Lord, accountable, pastorally aware, attentive to priests, listen to and encourage the faithful.

Lord Jesus, renew them in your love.

• For the Church in Ireland:

that by being faithful to the Gospel, observing the commandments and liying like Christ, she may work towards a new vision of co-responsibility and find new ways of passing on to young people the beauty and richness of friendship with you.

Lord Jesus, renew us in your love.

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus, Good Shepherd, we thank you for caring and looking after us. We ask you to rescue us from our failings and sins; walk with us, bandage the wounds inflicted on your people and make us strong again. You have enabled us to become the adopted children of the Heavenly Father and taught us to pray to him for our daily bread and forgiveness of our sins. In your name Lord Jesus we turn to the Father as you taught us.

 

Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

Amen

PSALM 22

The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.  

Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose.

near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit

. He guides me along the right path: he is true to his name.

If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear.

You are there with your crook and your staff: with these you give me comfort.

You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes.

My head you have anointed with oil: my cup is overflowing.

Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life.

In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for ever and ever.

Prayers based on and in response to Pope Benedict XVI  Letter to the Church in Ireland 2010.