Weekly Prayers of the Faithful

Third Sunday of Easter, May 4, 2025

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Third Sunday of Easter, May 4, 2025

God our Father, as we gather at this Eucharistic meal, we offer our petitions with hope that we will know your presence in our lives and do your will.  

  1. That the Church rooted in Christ will be a teacher of fraternity, taught with words and gestures marked by mutual respect, dialogue, and a culture of encounter that builds bridges, not walls, as Pope Francis always invited us to do.[1]  We pray to the Lord.
  2. That world leaders, in observing the outpouring of grief at the death of Pope Francis from people of all faiths, nations, and economic strata, will come to understand the power of fraternity, kindness, and care for the needy as tools for building a better world.  We pray to the Lord.
  3. As we mourn the death of Pope Francis while rejoicing in the Resurrection of Jesus, may we look forward in our loves with expectation that through God’s mercy, sorrow, disappointment, and loss will be overcome.  We pray to the Lord.
  4. That the cardinals gathering to select the next pope will be attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and act with wisdom in choosing the successor of St. Peter.  We pray to the Lord.
  5. That Catholics in Nicaragua and experiencing persecution in other parts of the world may remain strong in faith declaring with Peter and the apostles, “We must obey God rather than men” and rejoice in the dishonor they suffer for the sake of the name.  We pray to the Lord.
  6. That the problem overfishing in the Mediterranean, the East China Sea, the North Sea, and the Grand Banks of Newfoundland may be solved by effective regulations and sustainable fishing practices so that nets thrown over the sides of boats will not be pulled in empty but will haul in catches that feed those who hunger.  We pray to the Lord.
  7. That we will be fed and strengthened by Jesus in the Eucharist, always realizing that it is the Lord whom we encounter.  We pray to the Lord.
  8. That in the morning, evening, and night, the words and actions of our lives may declare, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” We pray to the Lord. 
  9. That the through observation of the United Nations’ Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War this week, all people and nations will strive to live by Pope Francis’ declaration, “No one wins with war.” We pray to the Lord.
  10. That the Lord will hear the prayerful cries of those who suffer from illness, deprivation, or depression granting them relief and turning their mourning into dancing.  We pray to the Lord.
  11. That Pope Francis and all those have died in this season of Easter will be received with joy into heaven and live forever with the risen Jesus.  We pray to the Lord. 

O God, as your Son filled the nets of his apostles to overflowing, may your answer to these prayers fill our lives and hearts with your abundant love.  We make these prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen.

[1] From spiritual meditation of Fr. Donato Ogliari, S. B., in address at general congregation of cardinals, April 29, 2025.

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