Easter Sunday, April 04, 2021
We come to the Father with joy that the empty tomb found by Peter and John shows that life overcomes death, and that evil never prevails. We offer these prayers that we may live more fully.
- That as the darkness that has covered the Earth over this past year begins to recede, the Church may proclaim the resurrected Jesus as the true light of the world. We pray to the Lord.
- That the atrocities being committed against human life in war torn areas of the world, against refugees, and against the unborn may cease and give way to an era where respect for all life is resurrected as an inviolable principle of human existence. We pray to the Lord.
- That those who risk their lives to fight for fundamental rights under dictatorships, authoritarian regimes, and in democracies in crisis will be kept safe, be supported by people of good will, and find success in their endeavors[1]. We pray to the Lord.
- That people of faith may run with Mary Magdalen with the Easter message of hope and joy as we face the difficulties of our times confident that God’s grace will overcome all trials. We pray to the Lord.
- That in commemorating the 500th anniversary of the celebration of the first Mass in their country, the Philippine people may be renewed in their appreciation of faith while realizing their mission to share it with others.[2] We pray to the Lord.
- That those thousands in Sierra Leone whose shanty homes have been wiped out by devastating fire will find hope in Jesus who rose from the dead after the fruits of his public ministry were seemingly destroyed by death. We pray to the Lord.
- That the Lord might grant to Fr. Christopher, to pastors and to all of us the grace of prayer, of closeness to Jesus, the grace of justice in mercy, and merciful justice[3]. We pray to the Lord.
- That we may each day give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. We pray to the Lord.
- [4]That we may not let the concerns of Earth dominate our attention such that that we fail to orient our daily lives toward union with Christ. We pray to the Lord.
- [5]That we may celebrate this Easter season not with the old yeast of malice and wickedness but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. We pray to the Lord.
- That our experience of Easter may be that of the disciple who entered the tomb and saw and believed. We pray to the Lord.
- That the sick and suffering may find relief from their misery and look with Easter hope to being restored to health. We pray to the Lord.
- That our departed parishioners, relatives, and friends will receive forgiveness of their sins through the name of Jesus and rise with him to the everlasting life of heaven. We pray to the Lord.
On this day we recognize Jesus as our Savior. May he save each one of us, forgive our sins. heal us from our failures, strengthen our faith, and keep his bright light shining in our lives and the darkest corners of the world. We offer our prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen.
[1] Intention of Pope Francis for April.
[2] Based on statement of Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao in announcing a jubilee year.
[3] Based on homily of Pope Francis at Mass celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of St. John Paul II.
[4] If second reading chosen is Col 3:1—4
[5] If second reading chosen is 1 Cor 5:6b—8
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