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| Coptic Visitation |
In the Advent-Gospel today we meet Mary hastening to see her elder relative, Elizabeth./ We ask for the Church to be blessed with Mary's gifts of humility and simplicity./ We pray to the Lord.
Drawing near to Christmas/ we pray for those who live without joy:/ those who are conflict-weary,/ without family,/ home or hope./ We pray to the Lord.
We pray for Pope Francis this Christmas:/ for those even within the Vatican who resist or oppose him,/ asking for his Mercy-Message to enhance the life of the Church around the world./ We pray to the Lord.
We pray for those who live in the Holy Land/ or who will travel there in the Christmas time./ We ask for the Greek,/ Armenian and Latin clergy/ who minister at Bethlehem/ to love each other well./ We pray to the Lord.
For those who in the Christmas time/ plan terrorist and hateful acts./ For those who are victimized by gun violence/ and for those who bravely act to keep us safe in a dangerous world./ We pray to the Lord.
Bless our families and friends/ those with whom we will pray,/ exchange gifts/ or with whom we will share meals and celebrations./ We pray for hearts to be seized by the simple beauty of Jesus' birth./ We pray to the Lord.
We pray for every child to be welcomed,/ protected and loved this time of year./ For those who suffer/ to be consoled and helped,/ and for the healing of human bitterness./ We pray to the Lord.
And for those who have died since last Christmas time/ to enjoy fully the gifts God wishes to bestow./ For mourners to find some new cause for endurance and happiness./ We pray to the Lord.
