April 18, 2005

A Prayer for the Cardinals Gathered to Elect Our Pope

In the name of our Heavenly Father,
And of His most humble Son,
And the Life-Giving Holy Spirit. Amen.

We, Your sons and daughters, call upon You today
You, O God! O Holy Trinity!
You Who brought us into being because of love!
You Who revealed Yourself in time and flesh as Love!
You Who came to call and empower us to love!

We turn to You, Most Loving Lord, in this our time of great need,
We implore You to manifest Your glory, Your goodness, and Your majesty!
We beg You to descend deeply, deeply into the hearts and minds of our shepherds
Gathered in the name of Jesus Christ, the Savior of all mankind
Be for them today wisdom, courage, unity, strength and peace!

Illumine their minds, O Eternal Truth!
Enflame their hearts, O Divine Love!
Enfold each one, O Celestial Light!
Guard them from human weakness and the wiles of the wicked one
As with strong fire and swift wind purify, protect, and sanctify them!

You, Good Master, Who conquered both sin and death,
Who are most kind even to the cruel, and merciful to the merciless,
Gently come in silence yet with utter strength!
Come and inspire those entrusted with a most noble duty
To choose a successor to Saint Peter and Vicar of Christ

Loving Father, arise to embrace them!
Savior Son, arise to instruct them!
Holy Spirit, arise to overshadow them!
O Mysterious Trinity, in these momentous days act mightily
To unveil Your most glorious will for Your Church and our world!

Bless those now gathered together with grace from on high
And grant them light to see, wisdom to choose, and courage to act.
May nothing of this world hinder or obscure Your holy inspirations
So that Your flock may receive a most wise and worthy shepherd
To guide us safely through these dark and difficult days.

We ask You, O Good Lord, to visit us and help us
Give us humble hearts and supple wills to obey our new pope
With courage, confidence, joy and trust
May Your Church be for the world a blinding beacon of light,
And may the efforts of her enemies be made futile by Your mercy and grace.

Amen!

Fr. Glenn Sudano, CFR
Community Servant, residing at St. Felix Friary in Yonkers, New York

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