Lord Jesus, your heart is moved with compassion when we are suffering, when we need your help and when we pray for each other. I ask you to listen to my prayer during this novena, and grant what I ask (make your request silently). If what I ask is not for my own good and the good of others, grant me always what is best for me, that I may build up your kingdom of love in our world. Amen.

Risen Christ

No one expected your return.

You astonished your disciples

When you slipped from the tomb.

You came extending peace,

Offering forgiveness for denial,

Extending faith to the doubtful.

You met them at the seashore

And on the road toward home.

Each one’s grieving heart overjoyed.

Each one’s closed mind opened wide.

Today: I let myself be astonished

Bridget, you were a woman of peace.

You brought harmony where there was conflict.

You brought light to the darkness.

You brought hope to the downcast.

May the mantle of your peace

cover those who are troubled and anxious.

And may peace be firmly rooted in

our hearts and in our world.

Inspire us to act justly and to

reverence all God has made.

Bridget, you were a voice for the

wounded and the weary.

Strengthen what is weak within us.

Calm us into a quietness that heals and listens.

May we grow each day into greater

wholeness in mind, body and spirit.

Amen.

Lord, protect and bless all those who are on holidays .

Re-create them in body, mind and spirit.

Help them to let go, to step of the treadmill of stress and predictable routine.

Help us all to create a “Sabbath space” in our hearts, our lives and our relationships.

‘Overcoming poverty is not a taskof charity,
it is an act of justice.
Like  slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural.
It is man-made and it can be overcome and
eradicated by theactions of human beings.
Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great.
You can be that great generation.
Let your greatness blossom.’       (Nelson Mandela)

We can help create a more just world by supporting the Trócaire Lenten Campaign.