Weekly Prayers of the Faithful

Fourth Sunday of Lent, Mar 30, 2025

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Fourth Sunday of Lent, Mar 30, 2025

On this Laetare Sunday, a day of rejoicing in the middle of our Lenten Journey, we ask the Father that we might be instruments of reconciliation who bring joy to gloom that we encounter.

  1. That in these days of division, the Church may firmly proclaim the message of the Gospels as a reason for hope and joy in the midst of tragedy.  We pray to the Lord. 
  2. That migrants, refugees, and the displaced will find places of peace, rest, and relief that provide them with fraternity and joy all the days of their life.  We pray to the Lord.
  3. That the prodigal son will remind us that no matter how far we have strayed from virtue and faith, our Father in heaven is always waiting and eager to welcome us home.  We pray to the Lord.
  4. That when we fail in our responsibilities to our faith or to other people, we will have the humility to approach the Father acknowledging our sins against heaven and those we have harmed, acknowledging our sins against others.  We pray to the Lord.
  5. That we will not be like the older brother in today’s Gospel, jealous of others’ good fortune centering on ourselves, but will celebrate with joy the blessings that all receive.  We pray to the Lord.
  6. That Saturday’s International Day of Conscience will inspire individuals and communities to engage in ethical reflection and compassionate action in addressing today’s global challenges by promoting dialogue, cultivating empathy, and adopting behavior that upholds human dignity.[1]  We pray to the Lord.
  7. That the actions of the father in today’s Gospel will be a model of reconciliation embraced by families impacted by divisions.  We pray to the Lord.
  8. That the Church may welcome with joy and without question all who seek its graces as the Father welcomed his prodigal son. We pray to the Lord. 
  9. That this week’s work of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors will foster the idea that abuse prevention is “one of the foundations on which to build communities faithful to the Gospel”[2] and lead to the elimination of all forms of abuse within the Church.  We pray to the Lord. 
  10. That humanitarian law will be respected in conflicts throughout the world so that civilians will not be bombed, humanitarian workers will not be killed, and energy and effort to find ways of dialogue and peace will be of the highest priority.[3]  We pray to the Lord. 
  11. That today’s celebration of Laetare Sunday will be for those who are ill a reminder to find joy in their distress, ever mindful that the Resurrection followed the pain and suffering of the Crucifixion.  We pray to the Lord.
  12. That those who have died will rejoice always and forever, having been welcomed into the arms of the Father in heaven despite any shortcomings in their lives.  We pray to the Lord. 

God our Father, our world suffers from lies, deceit, disease, and war.  Yet, on this day we rejoice in your love for us that has provided us with our Earthly home to be loved and cherished for ourselves and for all nations and generations.  We make these prayers through Jesus Christ our Lord.    Amen.

[1] Based on United Nations statement concerning its International Day of Conscience, April 5, 2025.   https://www.un.org/en/observances/conscience-day

[2] Pope Francis’ letter to the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors signed March 20, 2025 in anticipation of the meeting of its annual Ordinary Plenary Assembly, March 24-28, 2025.

[3] Based on remarks of Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, March 24, 2025.

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