Dear Friends,

Happy New Year! I hope your Christmas was blessed and restful. As we begin 2022, Pope Francis invites the faithful to pray for specific intentions each month. I hope that his intentions below will be helpful in guiding our prayers throughout the year. For more information on the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, please click here. As always, thank you for your support and prayers, and all the best for 2022.

JANUARY – For true human fraternity

We pray for all those suffering from religious discrimination and persecution; may their own rights and dignity be recognized, which originate from being brothers and sisters in the human family.

FEBRUARY – For religious sisters and consecrated women

We pray for religious sisters and consecrated women; thanking them for their mission and their courage; may they continue to find new responses to the challenges of our times.

MARCH – For a Christian response to bioethical challenges

We pray for Christians facing new bioethical challenges; may they continue to defend the dignity of all human life with prayer and action.

APRIL – For health care workers

We pray for health care workers who serve the sick and the elderly, especially in the poorest countries; may they be adequately supported by governments and local communities.

MAY – For faith-filled young people

We pray for all young people, called to live life to the fullest; may they see in Mary’s life the way to listen, the depth of discernment, the courage that faith generates, and the dedication to service.

JUNE – For families

We pray for Christian families around the world; may they embody and experience unconditional love and advance in holiness in their daily lives.

JULY – For the elderly

We pray for the elderly, who represent the roots and memory of a people; may their experience and wisdom help young people to look towards the future with hope and responsibility.

AUGUST – For small businesses

We pray for small and medium sized businesses; in the midst of economic and social crisis, may they find ways to continue operating, and serving their communities.

SEPTEMBER – For the abolition of the death penalty

We pray that the death penalty, which attacks the dignity of the human person, may be legally abolished in every country.

OCTOBER – For a Church open to everyone

We pray for the Church; ever faithful to, and courageous in preaching the Gospel, may the Church be a community of solidarity, fraternity and welcome, always living in an atmosphere of synodality.

NOVEMBER – For children who suffer

We pray for children who are suffering, especially those who are homeless, orphans, and victims of war; may they be guaranteed access to education and the opportunity to experience family affection.

DECEMBER – For volunteer not-for-profit organisations

We pray that volunteer non-profit organisations committed to human development find people dedicated to the common good and ceaselessly seek out new paths to international cooperation.

Sincerely,

Barry J. Leidl
Director, Advancement