Christ Child Prayer
Remember in this sacrifice of Your own and only Child, all
children everywhere throughout the world, and grant that, like
Your Son, as they increase in years, they may grow in grace
and wisdom before You, and in the sight of all, for the
improvement and saving of the world.
Jesus, the Friend of Little Children,
bless the little children in the world.
Pro-Life Prayer
O God, our Creator, all life is in Your hands from conception
until natural death. Help us to cherish our children and to
reverence the awesome privilege of our share in creation.
May all people live and die in dignity and love. Bless all those
who defend the rights of the unborn, the handicapped, and the aged.
Enlighten and be merciful toward those who fail to love, and
give them peace.
Prayer for Opening of Meetings
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth.
Approve our deliberations and conclusions, we beseech You, O Lord, and further them with Your continual help; that every prayer and work of ours may always begin from You, and through You be likewise ended, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
For all enrolled in our Memorial program, for all who are ill or injured, for those intentions we hold in our heart and for all of our dear ones who have died, may their souls and the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Canonization Prayer
(Prayer for the Canonization of Mary Virginia Merrick; “With Ecclesiastical Approval” Archdiocese of Washington)
Lord God, in Your special love for children, You chose to raise up Mary Virginia Merrick to be the servant of the poor children. In laboring to serve the young and those without hope because of the crushing weight of poverty, she proclaimed the love of Your Son. She made her life’s work a demonstration that “nothing is ever too much to do for a child.”
Grant that her example of selfless charity and courageous virtue in the face of her own suffering will inspire us to be as generous in the service of others. We humbly ask that Your servant Mary Virginia Merrick be numbered among the Church’s canonized saints for edification of Your holy people, in accord with Your most holy will. Through her intercession, please hear and answer any request (state intention).
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.