SAINT THOMAS
July 3
Ever-living Father, you strengthened the apostle Thomas with firm and certain faith in your Son’s resurrection. Grant that we may forever join our voice with his, professing Jesus as our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
SAINTS PRISCILLA, AQUILA, AND APOLLOS
July 8
Eternal Father, you gave wisdom to your servants Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos that they might eloquently teach the salvific message of your Son. Like them, may we be earnest in studying the Scriptures, and faithful in proclaiming them to those we meet throughout the pilgrimage of our lives. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
SAINT SILAS
July 13
Father, you filled your bishop Silas with a deep care and love for others, and called him to preach, to teach, and to suffer – even unto death. Fill us with the strength to stand fast in the midst of every adversity, the courage to live godly and righteous lives, and a sure confidence in the new life you extend to all who are reborn through Jesus, your Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
SAINT MARY MAGDALENE
July 22
Almighty Father, your blessed Son restored Saint Mary Magdalene to health of body and of mind, and called her to be a witness of his resurrection. In your mercy, heal all our infirmities, and lead us to confess Jesus as our living Lord, for he lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
SAINT JAMES
July 25
Gracious Father, we celebrate today the feast of your apostle James, first among the Twelve to suffer martyrdom for the sake of your Son. Pour out upon the leaders of your Church a spirit of self-denying service, which stands as the sign of faithful authority among your people. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
SAINTS MARTHA AND MARY
July 29
Father, through the friendship of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus your Son enjoyed rest, refreshment, and encouragement. Grant to each of us the will to love you, hearts open to hear you, and hands willing to serve you through service to all. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
SAINT JOSEPH OF ARIMETHEA
July 31
Merciful Father, your servant Joseph of Arimathea reverently prepared the body of his Savior for burial and laid it in his own tomb. Grant to all your faithful people a like measure grace, courage, and devotion to forever love and serve Jesus who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
SAINT NICODEMUS
August 1
Father, you led the learned scholar Nicodemus to seek wisdom from your beloved Son. Grant to all people minds that are open and hearts that are ready to hear the good news of salvation, not rejecting out of hand what seems strange or unfamiliar, but carefully studying it, and seeking to understand. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Glorious Father, you are the strength of all who call upon you with faith. We rejoice to celebrate the example of Saint Stephen the Protomartyr, who, with his dying breath, looked to you and prayed for his persecutors. May we find in our own lives the courage to proclaim your truth, and the strength to endure every challenge for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE DORMITION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
August 15
Father, you have taken to yourself the blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of your incarnate Son. Grant that we, who have been redeemed by his blood, may share with her the glory of your eternal kingdom. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
SAINT BARTHOLOWMEW
August 24
Almighty and everlasting Father, you gave to your apostle Bartholomew grace to truly believe and proclaim your Word. Grant that your Church may love what he believed and preach what he taught. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE BEHEADING OF SAINT JOHN THE FORERUNNER
August 29
Father, in both his birth and his death, you chose John the Baptist to be the forerunner of your Son. As he laid down his life for righteousness’ sake, may we too strive with courage to bear witness to your truth in the world. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Merciful Father, you inspired Phoebe, your deacon, to minister through deeds rooted in generosity and love. Grant us the will to love you, open our hearts to hear you, and strengthen our hands to serve you in others for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
September 8
Fill us, Father, with deep peace and overwhelming grace as we celebrate the memorial of the Virgin Mary’s birth, and strengthen us to imitate her example as we walk the journey of our lives. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS
September 14
Almighty Father, your blessed Son was lifted high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world to himself. Mercifully grant that we, who rejoice in the mystery of our redemption, may be filled with the grace to take up our cross and follow in his steps. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
EMBER WEDNESDAY IN SEPTEMBER
For All Christians in Discerning their Gifts of Service
Merciful Father, grant to all Christians the grace to engage in discernment, that they may recognize and cherish the gifts you have given to them, and may seek to touch the lives of others through them to the glory of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
EMBER FRIDAY IN SEPTEMBER
For Vocations to the Ministry
Loving Father, you have committed to human hands the ministry of reconciliation. We humbly beseech you, through the working of your Spirit, to inspire the hearts of many to offer themselves to your service, that the whole human race may be drawn to enter your blessed kingdom. We ask this through Jesus Christ, the Bishop and Shepherd of our souls, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
EMBER SATURDAY IN SEPTEMBER
For Those to be Ordained
Eternal Father, giver of all good gifts, in your divine providence you have appointed various orders of ministry to serve in your Church. Give your grace to [___, and to] all who are [now] called to Holy Orders. Fill them with your truth and clothe them with holiness of life, that they may faithfully serve you, to the glory of your Name and to the benefit of your holy Church. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
SAINT MATTHEW
September 21
We thank you, heavenly Father, for the witness of your apostle and evangelist Matthew to the Gospel of your Son; and we pray that, following his example, we may with ready wills and hearts obey the calling of our Savior to follow where he leads. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
HOLY MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS
September 29
Everlasting Father, you have ordained and constituted in a wonderful order the ministries of angels and mortals. Mercifully grant that, just as your holy angels serve and worship you in heaven, so by your appointment they may help and defend us here on earth. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
