Weekly Prayers of the Faithful

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, March 24, 2024

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Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, March 24, 2024

We come to the Father meditating on the horrific torturing and killing of Jesus, asking that the world may seek reconciliation and peace. 

  1. That Church leaders will not follow the example of the chief priests and the Sanhedrin in seeking division but will be agents of mercy who unite people in the love of God.  We pray to the Lord.
  2. That all people will reject physical violence, torture, and killing as instruments of justice and seek life-giving and life-affirming solutions to problems between individuals, communities, and nations.  We pray to the Lord.
  3. That Pope Francis’ calls for fraternity and inclusion will guide the Church to be an example of love that counters the hatred, fear, persecution, and malice evident in the Passion of Jesus.  We pray to the Lord.
  4. That as it mourns the torturing and crucifixion of Jesus, the Church will unite in raising its voice against daily atrocities committed against all stages of human life.  We pray to the Lord. 
  5. That when we lose heart over terrorism, war, hatred and persecution that have covered the world in darkness, we will be consoled and encouraged by the promise of the Resurrection which brings light and life.  We pray to the Lord.
  6. That the people devastated by war in Ukraine, Palestine, and Israel, entrusted to the care and intercession of St. Joseph, may be strengthened by the readings of Holy Week and Easter and be blessed by a negotiated end to the violence.[1]  We pray to the Lord. 
  7. That the gangs on rampage in Haiti who have brought that country to the edge of a devastating hunger crisis will shun violence and seek approaches to security and functioning state institutions that will serve the impoverished people of their nation.  We pray to the Lord.
  8. That we will practice prudence, “the virtue [that] effectively combines intelligence and creativity, helping us understand the complexity of situations and carefully evaluate possible solutions.”[2] We pray to the Lord.
  9. That the Lenten journey may bring our community to Easter with hearts purified and renewed by the grace of the Holy Spirit with joy and peace in Christ upon us and our families.[3]  We pray to the Lord.
  10. That persecuted Christians living their faith who are asked by their oppressors, “Why are you doing this?” will be bold and answer without fear, “Because the Master has need of it.”  We pray to the Lord.
  11. That we may be forgiven our sins that cry out with the crowds, “Crucify him!” and be granted the grace to turn away from evil and rejoice in the new life of Easter.  We pray to the Lord. 
  12. That the sufferings of those who are ill may be united with the sufferings of Jesus as they seek the will of the Father for their lives.  We pray to the Lord.
  13. That those who die in pain and agony inflicted by those who torture them will be with Christ and have the grace to forgive their enemies.  We pray to the Lord.

God our Father, on this day we commemorate both the triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the tragedy of the death on the cross of your Son.  By your answer to our prayers, may faithful joy never be turned into anger and despair.  We offer our prayers through Christ our Lord.   Amen.

[1] Based on Pope Francis entrusting the cause of peace in those nations to St. Joseph, March 20, 2024.

[2] Quote from General Audience of Pope Francis, March 20, 2024.

[3] Based on special greeting of Pope Francis to English-speaking pilgrims at his General Audience of March 20, 2024.

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