Pauca Verba is Latin for A Few Words.

Thursday, February 1, 2018

Intercessions ~ Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time



Pope Francis noted recently that while the world is increasingly rich,/ it is poor in love./ We pray for those who are hated for their religion,/ nationality or color./ For those who suffer grave hardships,/ discrimination,/ hunger/ or who live without joy/ or are exhausted with fear./ We pray to the Lord.

The Winter Olympic Games begin this Thursday in South Korea./ We pray for the safety of all who participate./ May we learn that every country,/ large or small/ has dignity/ and is to be valued/ with something to teach the rest of us./ We pray to the Lord.

Operating on the same principles of supply and demand,/ one of the most lucrative industries in the world is the buying and selling of children/ for the purposes of sex trafficking and child labor./ We ask boldly for the conversion of hardened hearts./ We pray to the Lord.

Today is World Cancer Day./ We pray for the healing,/ strength and consolation of those who struggle with cancer./ Bless the work of cancer hospitals,/ doctors and nurses./ For the Hawthorne Dominican Sisters/ ministering to those whose cancer is incurable./ We pray to the Lord.

Heal the nation's bitter divisions,/ its resentment,/ chaos and anxiety./ Teach us all we need/ to once again be a United States of America./ We pray to the Lord.

These cold days,/ we ask blessings for those who operate shelters and kitchens./ For those who live in hidden places to get out of the cold./ For travelers/ and those who must work out of doors during the winter time./ We pray to the Lord.