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| Antique French Priest-Maniple * |
The liturgy returns to green today,/ the color symbolic of inner freedom,/ friendship,/ beauty,/ happiness,/ health and hope./ Grant that your Church would be built up in all that is deeply human and good./ We pray to the Lord.
Pale green is the symbolic color of Baptism Water./ We pray to be strengthened in our relationship with Christ begun at Baptism./ We pray for those who are harassed or executed/ because they are Baptized./ We pray to the Lord.
This year marks the centenary of the apparitions at Fatima,/ where the Virgin Mary called the world to repentance and prayer./ We pray for Pope Francis as he prepares for his pilgrimage to Portugal in May./ We pray to the Lord.
At Mass,/ we pray for our families and our friends,/ especially for those who are troubled,/ weakened,/ sick/ or ready to give up./ We ask blessings for anyone with whom we might feel anger or disappointment./ We pray to the Lord.
In the winter-time/ we pray for people who are cold,/ hungry or friendless./ We ask for the safety and well-being of those who are road workers,/ rescuers/ or who help others in any way./ We pray to the Lord.
We pray boldly for God to move mountains/ which is the hate that weighs down human hearts./ Heal,/ comfort and restore/ those who are victimized by injustice,/ power-abuse and greed./ We pray to the Lord.
In many parts of the world/ it is profoundly difficult being a child./ We pray for them/ and the good people who work to offer them a rescue./ We ask for a world that keeps the welfare of children first in mind./ We pray to the Lord.
* A maniple is a Mass-vestment priests wore over the left forearm until the late 1960's. A stylized handkerchief, the maniple symbolizes the priest's heart carrying tears for the world in all of its pain and error. The prayer the priest prayed while putting on the maniple is very beautiful: May I be worthy, O Lord, so to bear the maniple of tears and sorrow; that with joy I may receive the reward of my labor.
* A maniple is a Mass-vestment priests wore over the left forearm until the late 1960's. A stylized handkerchief, the maniple symbolizes the priest's heart carrying tears for the world in all of its pain and error. The prayer the priest prayed while putting on the maniple is very beautiful: May I be worthy, O Lord, so to bear the maniple of tears and sorrow; that with joy I may receive the reward of my labor.
