(If the little closing Prayer Celebration is not in Church, a small table might be central with a lighted candle to signify the Presence of the Lord among His people, the Holy Bible, Holy Water, and a little Statue of Our Lady.)
OPENING REMARKS (OPTIONAL) ...
(Suggested opening remarks which may be offered by the person leading a Prayer Service offering gratitude to God for all priests and for all those across the world who Fasted for them.)
LEADER ...
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Welcome to the close of this powerful day of prayer for Priests, those who were, those who are, those who are yet to be ordained. A wonderful priest/theologian once wrote: "Prayer causes the Heavens to pour down the Righteous One." Together, we have done that today. Spirit Lord has inspired us to beseech God with sacrifice and prayer for the protection and love of all His priests. And the Heavens have "poured down the Righteous One."
We have united with millions of other members of the Body of Christ and spiritual miracles have happened during this day. We don't need to be given an account of these miracles. We offered our sacrifices and prayer without seeking reward or knowledge. God will shower those gifts on us when He calls us Home . We will see Him run toward us, His arms opened wide to receive us, and we will hear His beautiful Voice for the first time.... 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord' (Matthew 25:21).
We close our day of miracles with Mary, Our Beloved Mother, as she walks with us through the Gospel praying the 5 Joyful Mysteries. At the beginning of each of our Decades, we will dedicate one Continent of the World to all priests serving God in the image of His own humility, obedience, suffering, joy, healing, surrendering to the Father in Love.
The LEADER should now invite the first Volunteer to come forward:
(The 5 Volunteers who pray each of the 5 Decades should pray the first part of each prayer and the group responds with the second part of each prayer.)
First Volunteer speaks ...
THE FIRST DECADE OF THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES, THE ANNUNCIATION. WE DEDICATE THIS DECADE TO ALL PRIESTS SERVING GOD IN AFRICA, AND WE THANK GOD FOR ALL FAST-ERS ON THAT CONTINENT WHO PRAYED FOR THEM TODAY....
(Our Father, Ten Hail Mary, One Glory Be.)
Second volunteer speaks ...
THE SECOND DECADE OF THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES, THE VISITATION. WE DEDICATE THIS DECADE TO ALL PRIESTS SERVING GOD IN THE AMERICAS, AND WE THANK GOD FOR ALL FAST-ERS ON THAT CONTINENT WHO PRAYED FOR THEM TODAY...
(Our Father, Ten Hail Mary, One Glory Be.)
Third Volunteer speaks ...
THE THIRD DECADE OF THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES, THE BIRTH OF THE CHILD JESUS. WE DEDICATE THIS DECADE TO ALL PRIESTS SERVING GOD IN ASIA, AND WE THANK GOD FOR ALL FAST-ERS ON THAT CONTINENT WHO PRAYED FOR THEM TODAY...
(Our Father, Ten Hail Mary, One Glory Be.)
Fourth Volunteer speaks ...
THE FOURTH DECADE OF THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES, THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE. WE DEDICATE THIS DECADE TO ALL PRIESTS SERVING GOD IN EUROPE, AND WE THANK GOD FOR ALL FAST-ERS ON THAT CONTINENT WHO PRAYED FOR THEM TODAY...
(Our Father, Ten Hail Mary, One Glory Be.)
Fifth Volunteer speaks ...
THE FIFTH DECADE OF THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES, THE FINDING OF THE CHILD IN THE TEMPLE. WE DEDICATE THIS DECADE TO ALL PRIESTS SERVING GOD IN OCEANA, AND WE THANK GOD FOR ALL FAST-ERS ON THAT CONTINENT WHO PRAYED FOR THEM TODAY...
(Our Father, Ten Hail Mary, One Glory Be.)
LEADER ...
The LEADER now leads everyone in the prayer to Our Lady... Salve Regina (Hail! Holy Queen..)
"Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, Thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, Show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary."
The Prayer service closes with the LEADER asking all present to pray together the "Prayer for Priests" by St Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face.
ALL PARTICIPANTS (TOGETHER)...
"O Jesus, eternal Priest,
keep your priests within the shelter of Your Sacred Heart,
where none may touch them.
Keep unstained their anointed hands,
which daily touch Your Sacred Body.
Keep unsullied their lips,
daily purpled with your Precious Blood.
Keep pure and unearthly their hearts,
sealed with the sublime mark of the priesthood.
Let Your holy love surround them
and shield them from the world’s contagion.
Bless their labors with abundant fruit
and may the souls to whom they minister
be their joy and consolation here,
and in Heaven
their beautiful and everlasting crown.
AMEN".
END OF SERVICE
NOTE: If we have been fasting from food, we now break our fast with a piece of fruit or a light snack.
