For mutual coexistence

Let us pray that societies where coexistence seems more difficult might not succumb to the temptation of confrontation for ethnic, political, religious or ideological reasons.

Jesus, Lord of our history,
Faithful companion and living presence,
You who never tire of coming to meet us,
Here we are, in need of Your peace.

We live in times of fear and division.
Sometimes we act as if we were alone,
Building walls that separate us from one another,
Forgetting that we are brothers and sisters.

Send us Your Spirit, Lord,
To rekindle within us
The desire to understand one another, to listen,
To live together with respect and compassion.

Give us the courage to seek paths of dialogue,
To respond to conflict with gestures of fraternity,
To open our hearts to others without fear of differences.

Make us builders of bridges,
Able to overcome borders and ideologies,
Able to see others through the eyes of the heart,
Recognizing in every person an inviolable dignity.

Help us create spaces where hope can flourish,
Where diversity is not a threat
But a richness that makes us more human.

Amen.

View the August Prayer Intention Pope Video – a global initiative to disseminate the Holy Father’s monthly intentions (Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network).

May we remember Mary in our prayers as a source of hope and true joy.

Today (August 7th) the Marists worldwide celebrate the birth of their founder Fr. Jean-Claude Colin.

Born at the close of the 18th century (1790) in revolution-torn France, Jean-Claude was convinced that the Blessed Virgin wanted a group of men and women to do her work in the world at a time of turmoil and challenge. With this inspiration he forged the way for a new family of consecrated religious and laity in the Church – the Marist family.

Under his leadership, as founder and father, Marist missionaries would proclaim Christ’s message in Mary’s gentle spirit ‘on whatever distant shore’ to which they were sent.

Fr. Jean-Claude Colin …. Pray for Us!