16. InPopulorum Progressio, Paul VI taught that progress, in its origin and essence, is first and foremost a vocation: “in the design of God, every man is called upon to develop and fulfil himself, for every life is a vocation.” This is what gives legitimacy to the Church's involvement in the whole question of development. If development were concerned with merely technical aspects of human life, and not with the meaning of man's pilgrimage through history in company with his fellow human beings, nor with identifying the goal of that journey, then the Church would not be entitled to speak on it. Paul VI, like Leo XIII before him in Rerum Novarum, knew that he was carrying out a duty proper to his office by shedding the light of the Gospel on the social questions of his time.
To regard development as a vocation is to recognize, on the one hand, that it derives from a transcendent call, and on the other hand that it is incapable, on its own, of supplying its ultimate meaning. Not without reason the word “vocation” is also found in another passage of the Encyclical, where we read: “There is no true humanism but that which is open to the Absolute, and is conscious of a vocation which gives human life its true meaning.” This vision of development is at the heart of Populorum Progressio, and it lies behind all Paul VI's reflections on freedom, on truth and on charity in development. It is also the principal reason why that Encyclical is still timely in our day.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Encyclical Letter, Charity in Truth Caritas in Veritate. 11 Social Teaching of the Church. Paulines Publications Africa. 2009. Page 15
We are in the second day of prayer to Divine Mercy:
Let's say the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory the Father together.
"Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name;
Thy kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil, Amen.
"Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death, Amen.
"Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
"Today bring to Me THE SOULS OF PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS, and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave Me strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them as through channels My mercy flows out upon mankind."
Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men and women consecrated to Your service, that they may perform worthy works of mercy; and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven.
Let's recite the Chaplet of Divine Mercy together
How to Recite the Chaplet
The Chaplet of Mercy is recited using ordinary Rosary beads of five decades. The Chaplet is preceded by two opening prayers from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska and followed by a closing prayer.
1. Make the Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
2. Optional Opening Prayers
St. Faustina’s Prayer for Sinners O Jesus, eternal Truth, our Life, I call upon You and I beg Your mercy for poor sinners. O sweetest Heart of my Lord, full of pity and unfathomable mercy, I plead with You for poor sinners. O Most Sacred Heart, Fount of Mercy from which gush forth rays of inconceivable graces upon the entire human race, I beg of You light for poor sinners. O Jesus, be mindful of Your own bitter Passion and do not permit the loss of souls redeemed at so dear a price of Your most precious Blood. O Jesus, when I consider the great price of Your Blood, I rejoice at its immensity, for one drop alone would have been enough for the salvation of all sinners. Although sin is an abyss of wickedness and ingratitude, the price paid for us can never be equalled. Therefore, let every soul trust in the Passion of the Lord, and place its hope in His mercy. God will not deny His mercy to anyone. Heaven and earth may change, but God's mercy will never be exhausted. Oh, what immense joy burns in my heart when I contemplate Your incomprehensible goodness, O Jesus! I desire to bring all sinners to Your feet that they may glorify Your mercy throughout endless ages (Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, 72).
You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.
(Repeat three times) O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You!
3. Our Father
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.
4. Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.
5. The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
6. The Eternal Father
Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
7. On the 10 Small Beads of Each Decade
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
8. Repeat for the remaining decades
Saying the "Eternal Father" (6) on the "Our Father" bead and then 10 "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion" (7) on the following "Hail Mary" beads.
9. Conclude with Holy God (Repeat three times)
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
10. Optional Closing Prayers
Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion — inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.
O Greatly Merciful God, Infinite Goodness, today all humankind calls out from the abyss of its misery to Your mercy — to Your compassion, O God; and it is with its mighty voice of misery that we cry out. Gracious God, do not reject the prayer of this earth's exiles! O Lord, Goodness beyond our understanding, Who are acquainted with our misery through and through, and know that by our own power we cannot ascend to You, we implore You: anticipate us with Your grace and keep on increasing Your mercy in us, that we may faithfully do Your holy will all through our life and at death's hour. Let the omnipotence of Your mercy shield us from the darts of our salvation’s enemies, that we may with confidence, as Your children, await Your [Son’s] final coming — that day known to You alone. And we expect to obtain everything promised us by Jesus in spite of all our wretchedness. For Jesus is our Hope: through His merciful Heart, as through an open gate, we pass through to heaven (Diary, 1570).
Let's pray the prayer for peace in Ukraine
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of all your people in Ukraine, and upon the souls of priests and religious who labour in your vineyard; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing.
For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end.
We pray for an end to the war, and for peace in Ukraine. We pray for all who have lost their lives in the war in Ukraine, and for the repose of the souls of all who have died in conflict from the beginning of time until now. Amen.
Dear friend, thank you for praying with us for peace and an end to war.
If you are unable to attend a Church Service, why not follow the service below in prayer and make spiritual communion with Our Lord Jesus Christ? Perhaps you have been working in essential services, are caregiver at home or ill in bed. Perhaps you have been unable to attend a church service to offer worship, due to circumstances beyond your control.
All of your intentions have been held before the Lord.
The Christmas Church Service:
Priest: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
Congregation: "Amen."
Priest: "The Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem:
Angels rejoice and shepherds stand amazed. Alleluia!"
CONFESSION:
Priest: "Christ has come to set us free from sin.
Let us turn to Him to ask for purity of heart. May the Light of the Redeemer Christ shine within our lives.
Lord, have mercy."
Congregation: "Lord, have mercy."
Priest: "Christ, have mercy."
Congregation: "Christ, have mercy."
Priest: "Lord, have mercy."
Congregation: "Lord, have mercy."
Priest: "May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life."
Congregation: "Amen."
READING:
Priest: "A reading from the gospel of St Luke, chapter 2, verses 1 to 16.
"In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria). Everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee in Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and town of David.
"He went there to register with Mary, his espoused wife, who was expecting a Child. While they were there, the time came for the Baby to be born, and she gave birth to her Firstborn, a Son.
"She wrapped Him in cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. There were shepherds living out in the field nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
"An Angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the Glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the Angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring great news that will bring great joy to all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you. He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you. He will be wrapped in cloths, and laid in a manger."
"Suddenly a great company of the Heavenly Host appeared with the Angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the Highest Heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His Favour rests."
"When the Angels had left them and gone into Heaven, the shepherds said to one another: "Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
"So they turned off and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in the manger.
"This is the Word of the Lord."
Congregation: "Thanks be to God."
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT:
Priest: "A Child of peace and redemption has been born to us, just as the prophets of old promised. Jesus Christ has come to illumine our earth with His Divinity, Beauty, Wisdom, Forgiveness and Majesty.
"Yet the Emperor of all dominions within the universe allowed Himself to be born as a tiny Child, developed in true human fashion within the womb of His Mother Mary.
"We turn today to this King of our hearts and lives, and entrust to Him all that has been lost during the pandemic. We thank God for the emerging natural immunity which is a miracle of grace to our world.
"We thank God that three great waves of the Covid-19 are over, and that the Omicron wave appears to be less virulent in nature. We pray that the bowl of pestilence - with which the world has recently struggled - be removed from our earth.
"We pray for wisdom for governments and bodies of authority as they seek to assist their peoples. We ask that gentleness, understanding and tolerance be exercised by all towards all. We trust that none will judge another for personal conscience-driven decision.
"All are suffering. All are in fear. Yet what are we afraid of? God, the holder of the arches of Heaven and globe of earth is in full control. Never doubt that this is so. At this Christmas time, turn to the God of all and TRUST IN HIM.
"Each of us is destined to return the cloak of our body to the earth from whence it came, until the great day of Resurrection. Yet our spirit, our soul will return to the Throne of the Great God from whence we came.
"So why do we fear death? It is only a passing over into the true life, the eternal life which will last for ever.
"Trust in God. The sum of our days - whether short or long - are utterly safe in His loving and gentle Hands.
"Live well, pray well, trust totally and live each day as if it is your last.
"One day will indeed be our last day, after which we will stand at the Judgement Seat of God.
Abandon fear and look forward to the day when all suffering, illness, fear and death will be no more.
"Each of us is destined one day to stand rejoicing around the Table of the Holy Lamb in Heaven. Saints at last!"
ACCEPTING JESUS CHRIST:
If you wish to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, please visit the following Prayer Chapel:
Priest: "Almighty God, You sent Your only Son to our world because You loved us so much. We praise You, Father, that on the night before He gave His Life, our Lord Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying: "Take, eat, this is My Body which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me."
Congregation: "Lord Jesus, You are the Bread of Life,"
Priest: "After the same manner, He took the cup, gave thanks and gave it to them, saying: "Take this, all of you, and drink, for this is My Blood: the Blood of the New Covenant which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of Me."
Congregation: "Lord Jesus, You are the Cup of Life, the wine that is blessed for our salvation."
(Here spiritually partake of the Body and Blood of Christ within in the Eucharist. Be assured He has come to you.)
Spend some time in silent prayer.
THE LORD'S PRAYER:
Priest and congregation: "Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever, Amen."
BLESSING:
Priest: "Holy Jesus, by being born us of us,
and humbly lying in a manger,
You show how much God loves the world.
Let the light of Your Love always shine in our hearts,
Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright. Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child. Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight. Glories stream from heaven afar Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia, Christ the Saviour is born! Christ the Saviour is born
Silent night, holy night! Son of God love's pure light. Radiant beams from Thy holy face With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus Lord, at Thy birth Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.
Conversation or dialogue can be very healing. Have you ever been anxious and in a quandery; worrying what to do? Along comes a person who says exactly the right words with an expression and attitude of warmth and concern, and all of a sudden we feel better; able to face life's challenges. This is pastoral work taking place by means of conversation or dialogue.
As we become more experienced in helping others as priests, we become more competent - professional even. Pastoral work does have a professional dimension, which includes formal instruction. A qualification in Clinical Pastoral Counselling can be a great help to a priest; or an accredited training in chaplaincy.
However, it is important to remember that we must keep a humble and true heart with a listening ear. A good qualification is of great assistance in giving pastoral care to those in need.
The kind heart and the gentle manner accompanying the assistance is what really touches people, and helps them to begin the road to inner healing.
When we are in difficulty, it is a great comfort to speak to someone with life experience and wisdom. They've been through stormy winds in life, and have learned to navigate the gale.
People often take their troubles to ministers as they look for healing from their heartaches and difficulties. Often people are not looking for professional help; they need someone who is willing to listen with care.
