Community Prayer before the Elections

Option 1

A MOMENT OF COMMUNITY PRAYER BEFORE THE ELECTIONS
 

INTRODUCTION (Vita Consecrata  nº 43 (The task of authority)

In the consecrated life the role of Superiors, including local Superiors, has always been of great importance for the spiritual life and for mission. In these years of change and experimentation, the need to revise this office has sometimes been felt. But it should be recognized that those who exercise authority cannot renounce their obligation as those first responsible for the community, as guides of their brothers and sisters in the spiritual and apostolic life.

HYMN:

SCRIPTURE READING:

 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. “What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.  Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—  just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20, 20-28)

PERIOD OF SILENCE

TEXT: (Letter of Fr. General)

THE OUR FATHER

PRAYER: (Novena to the Holy Spirit, St. Alphonsus)

Holy Spirit, Divine Love and Goodness of God, our Advocate before the Father, Father of the poor, Giver of gifts, Light of hearts, Defender without equal, Strength of the weak, Sanctifier of the Church!
You, who erase the sins of the world, sanctify us, you, who make us children of God, give us new life.
Send us your light to keep the faith. Fill us with your love to know how to love. Grant us your encouragement and your gifts, to be strong and faithful to our duties.
May we one day reach your Glory, to praise and love forever the Father, the Son and you, Holy Spirit. Amen.

HYMN TO THE BLESSED MOTHER

Option 2

A MOMENT OF COMMUNITY PRAYER BEFORE THE ELECTIONS
 

INTRODUCTION: (Letter of Fr. General)

Over the course of the next few months, the Congregation will discern the Major Superiors and Councils called to the service of authority and leadership for the next quadriennium. In the spirit of the 25th General Chapter, this discernment requires careful attention to the voice of the Spirit of Jesus, and to our call as prophetic witnesses of the Redeemer today. In this way, we can continue the process of revitalizing our Vita Apostolica through personal and community conversion.

It is important to discern the qualities necessary for leadership today. These involve the personal qualities of humanity, spirituality, vision, lifestyle and a great love for our missionary charism. We need leaders with the ability to live in community and animate our fraternal life. We seek leaders with missionary experience and passion for the abandoned and the poor, Witnesses of the Redeemer: In Solidarity for Mission to a Wounded World.

HYMN:

SCRIPTURE READING:

 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. “What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.  Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—  just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20, 20-28)

PERIOD OF SILENCE:

TEXT: (Constitutions 72 and 73: 1 and 2)

OUR FATHER

PRAYER: (Novena al Esp. Sto., S. Alfonso)

PRAYER: (Novena to the Holy Spirit, St. Alphonsus)

Holy Spirit, Divine Love and Goodness of God, our Advocate before the Father, Father of the poor, Giver of gifts, Light of hearts, Defender without equal, Strength of the weak, Sanctifier of the Church!
You, who erase the sins of the world, sanctify us, you, who make us children of God, give us new life.
Send us your light to keep the faith. Fill us with your love to know how to love. Grant us your encouragement and your gifts, to be strong and faithful to our duties.
May we one day reach your Glory, to praise and love forever the Father, the Son and you, Holy Spirit. Amen.

HYMN TO THE BLESSED MOTHER

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