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8 DFN PG.indd 1Prayers fromSaint John Paul II& Divine Mercy DevotionDominican Friars Foundation141 East 65th Street New York, NY 10065www.DominicanFriars.org212-535-3664Flat Size: 9" x 7-1/4"; Finished Size: 4-1/2" x 7-1/4" Litho: 4C (CMYK) / 4C (CMYK)Fold---11/12/18 10:
2 Prayers from Saint John Paul IIPrayers from Saint John Paul II 3Prayers to God and Our Blessed MotherPrayer to the Blessed Trinity. . . . . . . . 35Prayer to the Holy Spirit. . . . . . . . . . . . 36Prayer for Healing Beneath theCross of the Crucified King. . . . . . 37Saint John Paul II’s Prayer toOur Lady of Lourdes. . . . . . . . . . . . 38Saint John Paul II’s Prayer toOur Lady of Guadalupe . . . . . . . . . 41TABLE OF CONTENTSSaint John Paul II Biography. . . . . . . . . 4The Great Mercy Pope. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6The Chaplet of Divine Mercy . . . . . . . . . . 7How to Pray the Chaplet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8A Prayer for Divine Mercy. . . . . . . . . . . . 10The Tradition of Praying a Novena. . . 12Novena to Saint John Paul IIFor Healing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Day 1 – Day 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-331084338 DFN PG.indd 2-3Prayers for Special NeedsPrayer for Peace. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Prayer For All the Suffering. . . . . . . . .Prayer for Guidance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Prayer for the Healingof Families. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45464850Prayer for the Healing of the Scourgeof Abortion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52Prayer for the American President,Congress and Supreme Court. . . 53Vatican Prayer toSaint John Paul II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5511/12/18 10:51 AM
4 Prayers from Saint John Paul IISAINT JOHN PAUL II(1920 – 2005)Saint John Paul II was born KarolJózef Wojtyla on May 18, 1920, inWadowice, Poland. Growing up, youngKarol was athletic and enjoyed skiingand swimming. He also showed a stronginterest in theatre and poetry after heentered college. He ultimately felt astrong calling to the priesthood, andbegan his studies in philosophy andtheology at a secret seminary in Krakowin the 1940s, in the very hostileenvironment of the Nazi occupation.In 1978 he became the first non-Italianto be chosen as the Pope in more than400 years. As the leader of the Church,John Paul II traveled the world, visitingmore than 100 countries to spread hismessage of faith and peace. A vocaladvocate for human rights, he often spokeout about suffering in the world. He heldstrong positions on many topics, includingthe right to religious freedom.1084338 DFN PG.indd 4-5Prayers from Saint John Paul II 5An outgoing and charismatic person,John Paul II used his influence to fosterpolitical change and he is credited asa very important figure in the fall ofCommunism. After suffering fromParkinson’s disease for over 12 years, hedied in 2005. He was beatified in 2011.The announcement of Pope John PaulII’s canonization came after the Vaticanrevealed that two miracles had beenattributed to the spiritual intercessionof the late Pontiff. After a dying Frenchnun, Sister Marie Simon-Pierre Normand,prayed to Pope John Paul II during herbattle with Parkinson’s disease – thesame illness that had contributed to thePope’s death – she was cured.The second miracle involved a50-year-old woman, who said she wascured of a brain aneurysm after aphotograph of Pope John Paul II spoketo her. These miracles demonstrate thehealing power of Saint John Paul II’sintercession. He was canonized a Saintin 2014. His feast day is October 22.11/12/18 10:51 AM
6 Prayers from Saint John Paul IISAINT JOHN PAUL II,THE GREAT MERCY POPEWhen Pope JohnPaul II canonizedSister Maria FaustinaKowalska, a Polishnun to whomChrist appearedemphasizing themessage of His DivineMercy, he entrusted the whole worldto God’s Divine Mercy. On that sameday he established the Sunday afterEaster as “Divine Mercy Sunday” andhe stated, “This is the happiest day ofmy life.”As our Holy Father, Saint John Paul IIoften wrote and spoke about the needfor all people to turn to the mercy ofGod as the answer to the overwhelmingproblems of our times. He died on April2, 2005, which, that year, was the Vigilof the Feast of The Divine Mercy.1084338 DFN PG.indd 6-7Prayers from Saint John Paul II 7THE CHAPLET OFDIVINE MERCYThe Chaplet of Divine Mercyis prayed either on the beads of aregular Rosary or on a special DivineMercy Chaplet. If possible, it is mostappropriate to pray it at three o’clockin the afternoon, which Christ revealedto Sister Faustina as the “Hour of GreatMercy” for the whole world.When Christ appeared to Sister Faustina,He said to her: “I desire to grantunimaginable graces to those soulswho trust in My mercy. Encouragesouls to pray the chaplet I havegiven to you. It pleases Me to granteverything they ask of Me by prayingthe Chaplet. When hardened sinnerspray it, I will fill their souls with peace,and the hour of their death will be ahappy one. . . . I delight particularlyin a soul which has placed its trust inMy goodness.”Diary of Sister Faustina, 154111/12/18 10:51 AM
8 Prayers from Saint John Paul IIHOW TO PRAY THECHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCYOptional Opening Prayers:You expired, Jesus, but the sourceof life gushed forth for souls, andthe ocean of mercy opened up forthe whole world. O Fount of Life,unfathomable Divine Mercy,envelop the whole world andempty Yourself upon us.(Repeat three times) O Blood andWater, which gushed forth fromthe Heart of Jesus as a fountainof Mercy for us, I trust in You!Our Father, Hail Mary and theApostles CreedFor each of the five decades –On each “Our Father” bead of theRosary, pray:Eternal Father, I offer You the Bodyand Blood, Soul and Divinity ofYour Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord,Jesus Christ, in atonement for our1084338 DFN PG.indd 8-9Prayers from Saint John Paul II 9sins and those of the whole world.On each of theten “Hail Mary”beads, pray:For the sake of Hissorrowful Passion,have mercy on usand on the wholeworld.Concluding Prayer – Repeat three times:Holy God, Holy Mighty One, HolyImmortal One, have mercy on usand on the whole world.Optional Closing Prayer:Eternal God, in whom mercy isendless and the treasury ofcompassion inexhaustible, lookkindly upon us and increase Yourmercy in us, that in difficultmoments we might not despair norbecome despondent, but with greatconfidence submit ourselves toYour holy will, which is Love andMercy itself. Amen.11/12/18 10:51 AM
10 Prayers from Saint John Paul IIPrayers from Saint John Paul II 11A PRAYER FORDIVINE MERCYO greatly merciful God, You who areinfinite goodness, today all humanitycries out from the depths of ourmisery to Your mercy, to Yourcompassion, O God.Gracious God, do not reject theprayers of this earth’s exiles!O Lord, You are goodness beyond ourunderstanding and You know well ourpain and suffering. Because by ourown power we cannot ascend to You,we implore You, bless us in abundancewith Your grace, and increase Yourmercy in us, so that we may faithfullydo Your holy will throughout our lifeand at death’s hour.Let the greatness of Your mercyshield us from the powers of oursalvation’s enemies, that we may withconfidence, as Your humble children,await Your final coming – that day1084338 DFN PG.indd 10-11known to You alone. And we expectto obtain everything promised us byJesus in spite of all our weaknessand misery.For Jesus is our Hope, and throughHis merciful Heart, as through anopen gate, may we pass to eternallife with You in Heaven. Amen.Adapted from the Diary ofSister Faustina, 157011/12/18 10:51 AM
12 Prayers from Saint John Paul IIPrayers from Saint John Paul II 13The spiritual practice of prayingNovenas started in Europe as ninedays of preparation for celebratingthe birth of Christ at Christmas.Nine days were selected to representthe nine months that Jesus lived inthe womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary.The practice of praying Novenas waslater extended to also celebratingfeasts of the Blessed Virgin Maryand the Saints.Often people praying Novenashave a particular or special intentionfor which they are seeking theheavenly intercession of a patron saintor a favorite saint. This may includetheir personal petitions or the urgentneeds of family and loved ones.THE TRADITION OFPRAYING A NOVENAThe word “novena” comes from aLatin word meaning “nine fold.” In itstraditional form, a Novena is prayedover nine consecutive days.1084338 DFN PG.indd 12-13At the conclusion of your Novena,entrust your petitions and specialintentions to God’s will. Rememberthat Almighty God, in His love andgoodness, may have His own way ofanswering your prayers.11/12/18 10:51 AM
8 St. Anthony Prayers & DevotionsPrayers from Saint John Paul II 15HEALING NOVENA FORTHE INTERCESSION OFSAINT JOHN PAUL IIOpening Prayer each day:Merciful God, I pray with thanks andgratitude for the great spiritual giftof Saint John Paul II’s apostolic lifeand mission. Through his heavenlyintercession, please grant thefollowing petition(s) . . .Here state your request(s).Grant also that I may grow in lovefor You and proclaim boldly thelove of Jesus Christ to all people.Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.“Through prayer we come to sharemore deeply in God’s life andin His love.” Saint John Paul II1084338 DFN PG.indd 14-1511/12/18 10:51 AM
16 Prayers from Saint John Paul IINOVENA PRAYERfor Healing(DAY 1)Dear Saint John Paul, you preached:“The future starts today, nottomorrow.” As I start these ninedays of prayer with you, I thank youfor reminding me that with God’shelp, I can begin again, but I needto start now, not at some distantpoint in the future. Your words areencouraging and inspiring to me.Please be with me as I progressthrough these nine days of prayerwith you.Dear Lord, You are the greatestHealer. You gave Saint JohnPaul II to the entire world to showus how much You love us. WithYour mighty power and through hisintercession, we seek healing, notjust of our physical body but our1084338 DFN PG.indd 16-17Prayers from Saint John Paul II 17emotional, mental, social andspiritual health as well. In keepingwith Your greatest commandment,we will love You with all our heart,with all our mind, with all our souland with all our strength. We willalso love our neighbor as we loveourselves. Amen.Conclude with the Our Father,Hail Mary, and Glory Be prayers.“Only God lovesus perfectly,with an everlastinglove. In prayer, weopen our hearts andour minds to thisGod of love.”Saint John Paul II11/12/18 10:51 AM
18 Prayers from Saint John Paul IINOVENA PRAYERfor Healing(DAY 2)Dear Saint John Paul, you preached:“I plead with you, never, ever giveup on hope. Never doubt, nevertire, and never become discouraged.Be not afraid.” With your help, I willnot give up hope. I will be trusting,confident, persistent and unafraidin prayer.God, our Father, grant us the peacewe seek when confronted withdifferent obstacles each day. Guideus so we won’t falter in our steps.May peace always reign in ourhearts even if there is fear that wemight fall flat on our face.We will not be anxious, but will havefaith that is unwavering like that ofSaint John Paul II. We will do1084338 DFN PG.indd 18-19Prayers from Saint John Paul II 19whatever is true, honorable, just,pure, lovely and gracious in Youreyes, so that Your peace may abidein our hearts always. Amen.Conclude with the Our Father,Hail Mary, and Glory Be prayers.“We are awareof darknessand sin,of poverty and pain.But we know Jesus hasconquered sin andpassed through His ownpain to the glory ofthe Resurrection.”Saint John Paul II11/12/18 10:51 AM
20 Prayers from Saint John Paul IINOVENA PRAYERfor Healing(DAY 3)Dear Saint John Paul, you preached:“Have no fear of moving into theunknown. Simply step outfearlessly knowing that I am withyou and therefore no harm canbefall you. All is very, very well.Do this in complete faith andconfidence.”What more can I say, but thank youfor your confidence in me. Helpme to have complete faith in God.Stand with me at all times as myintercessor and spiritual guideuntil I attain the great treasureof Heaven.Dear Jesus, Son of the living God,we rejoice because we believe thatthrough the intercession of Saint1084338 DFN PG.indd 20-21Prayers from Saint John Paul II 21John Paul II, our healing is near athand. We are joyful in our ways andour speech for we know that Youwill always comfort us as a mothercomforts her children.We thank you for the joy You’vegiven us when You were born intoour world, because You becameone of us in all things but sin. Youendured tremendous suffering forour sake, so that we will be savedfrom our sins. Turn our mourninginto rejoicing because of Yourresurrection from the dead. Amen.Conclude with the Our Father,Hail Mary, and Glory Be prayers.“Only in Christ do we find real love,and the fullness of life. And so Iinvite you to look to Christ.”Saint John Paul II11/12/18 10:51 AM
22 Prayers from Saint John Paul IINOVENA PRAYERfor Healing(DAY 4)Dear Saint John Paul, just likeSt. Paul the Apostle who describedhis journey as a race, you tell methat life with Jesus is a wonderfuladventure. Life is not a sprint forme, but rather a winding marathonwith its curves and its ups anddowns. Help me by being with meat all times as I struggle in this racetoward the fullness of life in Christ.God the Holy Spirit, grant uswisdom and knowledge as we waitpatiently for the healing Youpromised. May our families beblessed with patience in helping uscope with illness and other problems.During his lifetime, Saint John Paulwas a living testimony of how much1084338 DFN PG.indd 22-23Prayers from Saint John Paul II 23God loves us through his patiencein dealing with every religious orpolitical leader around the world, aswell as with the severe sicknessesthat afflicted him. We believe thatas long as love reigns in our heartseach day, we will be healed, for“Love is patient and kind.” Amen.Conclude with the Our Father,Hail Mary, and Glory Be prayers.“It is Jesus youseek when youdream of happiness.He is waiting for youwhen nothing elseyou find satisfies you.”Saint John Paul II11/12/18 10:51 AM
24 Prayers from Saint John Paul IINOVENA PRAYERfor Healing(DAY 5)Dear Saint John Paul, you preached:“Do not abandon yourselves todespair. We are the Easter peopleand Hallelujah is our song.”Help me to be joyful in thiswonderful adventure of life. Helpme always to have true Christian joyin my heart, mind and spirit. Helpme always to be faithful to the Willof God in my life.Through God’s loving grace andkindness, we have been blessedwith the great kindness shownby the people who take care ofus, like our family, friends,relatives, caregivers, physicians,rehabilitation specialists,nutritionists and spiritual advisers.1084338 DFN PG.indd 24-25Prayers from Saint John Paul II 25Saint John Paul II manifestedincredible love, kindness andforgiveness to the man who tried toassassinate him. We believe thatwe will be healed if we forgive thosewho have wronged us, and if weextend a helping hand to our leastsisters and brothers living indistress, poverty and need. Amen.Conclude with the Our Father,Hail Mary, and Glory Be prayers.“Rememberthat you arenever alone.Christ is with youon your journeyevery day of your lives!”Saint John Paul II11/12/18 10:51 AM
26 Prayers from Saint John Paul IINOVENA PRAYERfor Healing(DAY 6)Dear Saint John Paul, you preached:“Love your families. Teach themthe dignity of life. Teach them theways of harmony and peace. Teachthem the value of faith and prayerand goodness! Help transform theworld around you by giving the bestof yourselves in the service ofothers and your country.”Just as Christ taught us, youpreached and live the Golden Rule:“Do unto others as you would havethem do to you.” How simple it isto hear this, but how incrediblydifficult, at times, to do this. Bewith me, and help me see God inmy neighbor and in all those I finddifficult to love or accept.1084338 DFN PG.indd 26-27Prayers from Saint John Paul II 27Dear Lord, throughout my lifetime,I have been taught to be a goodperson and to be a blessing toothers. To be good is not justto follow the rules, but more so,to follow You and obey Yourcommandments. May I bringharmony and peace to others,and spread Your good newsto my family, my friends, mycommunity and my country.Saint John Paul II made Yourgoodness known throughoutthe world by welcoming andembracing everyone who soughtYour presence, regardless of age,gender or creed. Through Yourgoodness and mercy, we will receivethe healing we seek through theintercession of Saint John Paul II.Amen.Conclude with the Our Father,Hail Mary, and Glory Be prayers.11/12/18 10:51 AM
28 Prayers from Saint John Paul IINOVENA PRAYERfor Healing(DAY 7)Dear Saint John Paul, you preached:“The goal and target of our life isHe, the Christ who awaits us – eachone singly and all together – to leadus across the boundaries of time tothe eternal embrace of the God wholoves us.”Help me, dear Saint John Paul, toremember that life with God is thehighest and greatest of all goals.In every moment of my life, help meto be focused on my relationshipwith Christ, so that when my earthlyjourney ends, my eternal life withJesus will begin.God the Father, in humility we offerour lives to You in the service ofothers. May we be like Saint John1084338 DFN PG.indd 28-29Prayers from Saint John Paul II 29Paul II in proclaiming our faith andtrust in You, so we will be blessedand can fulfill our Christianvocation. It is through ourweakness and illness that Youhave touched our lives, and wenow seek Your goodness andmercy to be healed. Amen.Conclude with the Our Father,Hail Mary, and Glory Be prayers.“To believein Jesus is toaccept what He says,even when it runscontrary to whatothers are saying.”Saint John Paul II11/12/18 10:51 AM
30 Prayers from Saint John Paul IINOVENA PRAYERfor Healing(DAY 8)Dear Saint John Paul, you preached:“People are made for happiness.Rightly, then, you thirst forhappiness. Christ has the answerto this desire of yours. But Heasks you to trust Him.True joy is a victory, somethingwhich cannot be obtained withouta long and difficult struggle.Christ holds the secret of thisvictory. . . In order to sing God’spraises we must re-learn thelanguage of humility and trust, thelanguage of moral integrity and ofsincere commitment to all that istruly good in the sight of the Lord.”Once again, in simple words, youteach us that nothing is moreimportant than life with Christ.1084338 DFN PG.indd 30-31Prayers from Saint John Paul II 31Lord, Jesus Christ, grant me thegift of a humble heart so that Ican respond to Your call to take upthe Cross and follow You each dayas Your disciple. I will strive topreserve the unity in my householdthrough my actions of peace andunderstanding. Through theintercession of Saint John Paul II,please grant me the gift of healingthat I earnestly implore. Amen.Conclude with the Our Father,Hail Mary, and Glory Be prayers.“If you really wishto follow Christ,if you want yourlove for Him to growand last, then you mustbe faithful to prayer.”Saint John Paul II11/12/18 10:51 AM
32 Prayers from Saint John Paul IINOVENA PRAYERfor Healing(DAY 9)Dear Saint John Paul, the surest,straightest road to Christ is throughHis Holy Mother. When I am lost andconfused in life, lead me to placemyself before Our Blessed Mother,asking her to rescue me to faithfullylive the spiritual path that leads to herDivine Son. Teach me to have in myheart the same great love you had forour Blessed Mother.Dear Lord, You are the GreatestHealer. Everything I have comes fromYou: my life, my health, my family,my friends, my possessions and allthat truly matters. I surrender themall to You as I search for meaning andpurpose in all that is happening tome. I claim complete healing of mymind, body, heart and soul. I claim1084338 DFN PG.indd 32-33Prayers from Saint John Paul II 33healing for those who are sufferingand are lost. I claim healing for myfamily. I claim financial blessings soI can be a blessing to others. Grantme the patience to confidently acceptYour answer to my prayers, whetherit be yes, no or wait. All I ask I placebefore You in Jesus’ name. Amen.God, the Holy Spirit, help us to bemodels of good deeds in everyrespect by being temperate, dignified,self-controlled and sound in faith,love and charity.May we control our temper and holdour tongue, especially when we growimpatient and are in pain. May webe like Saint John Paul II who was anoutstanding model of self-control,dignity and unwavering faith. Amen.Conclude with the Our Father,Hail Mary, and Glory Be prayers.End of the Novena11/12/18 10:51 AM
34 Prayers from Saint John Paul IIPRAYERS TO GOD ANDOUR BLESSED MOTHERPrayers from Saint John Paul II 35Prayer to the Blessed TrinityO Blessed Trinity, I thank You for havinggraced the Church with Saint John PaulII and for allowing the tenderness of YourFatherly care, the glory of the cross ofChrist, and the splendor of the Holy Spirit,to shine through him.Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy andthe maternal intercession of the BlessedVirgin Mary, he gave us a living imageof Jesus the Good Shepherd, and hasshown us that holiness is the necessarymeasure of ordinary Christian life and isthe way of achieving eternal communionwith You.Grant us by his intercession, andaccording to Your Holy Will, the graceswe implore, hoping that we, too, will benumbered among your saints. Amen.Let us remember the past with gratitude,live the present with enthusiasm, and lookforward to the future with confidence.Saint John Paul II1084338 DFN PG.indd 34-3511/12/18 10:51 AM
36 Prayers from Saint John Paul IIPrayer to the Holy SpiritScripture tells us, “No eye has seen,nor ear heard, nor the heart of manconceived, what God has prepared forthose who love Him.” God has beenrevealed to us through His Holy Spirit.For the Spirit searches everything, eventhe depths of God.Now we have received, not the spirit ofthe world, but the Spirit which is fromGod, that we might understand the giftsbestowed on us by God. And we impartthis in words not taught by humanwisdom but taught by the Spirit.(1 Corinthians 2:9-10,12-13)May the Holy Spirit, the Spirit ofPentecost, clarify for us what isambiguous, give warmth to whatis indifferent, enlighten what isobscure, so we may be, before all theworld, true and generous witnesses ofChrist’s love, for no one can live withoutlove. Amen.1084338 DFN PG.indd 36-37Prayers from Saint John Paul II 37Prayer for Healing Beneath theCross of the Crucified KingScripture teaches us, “For the message ofthe cross is complete absurdity to thosewho are headed for ruin, but to us who arebeing saved, it is the power of God Wepreach Christ crucified Christ the powerof God and the wisdom of God. For thefoolishness of God is wiser than men, andthe weakness of God is stronger than men.(1 Corinthians 1:18, 23-25)Holy God. Holy Mighty OneHoly immortal One,have mercy on us.May the power of Your loveonce more be shown to begreater than the evil that threatens it. Mayit be shown to be greater than suffering.May the power of Your cross, O Christ, beshown to be greater than the author of sin,who is called “the prince of this world.”For by Your blood and Your passion, Youhave redeemed the world! Amen.11/12/18 10:51 AM
38 Prayers from Saint John Paul IISaint John Paul II’s Prayer toOur Lady of LourdesHail Mary, poor and humble woman,blessed by the Most High! Virgin of hope,dawn of a new era, we join in your songof praise, to celebrate the Lord’s mercy,to proclaim the coming of the Kingdomand the full liberation of humanity.Hail Mary, lowly handmaid of the Lord,glorious Mother of Christ! Faithful Virgin,holy dwelling-place of the Word, teach usto persevere in listening to God’s Word.Hail Mary, woman of sorrows, Motherof the living! Virgin spouse beneath theCross, the new Eve, be our guide alongthe paths of the world.Teach us to experience and to spreadthe love of Christ, to stand with youbefore the innumerable crosses on whichyour Son is still crucified.Holy Mary, Mother of believers, Our Ladyof Lourdes, pray for us. Amen.1084338 DFN PG.indd 38-3911/12/18 10:51 AM
Prayers from Saint John Paul II 41Saint John Paul II’s Prayer toOur Lady of GuadalupeO Immaculate Virgin, Mother of the trueGod and Mother of the Church, who fromthis place reveals your clemency andyour pity to all those who ask for yourprotection, hear the prayers we addressto you with filial trust, and present themto your Son Jesus, our Divine Redeemer.Mother of Mercy, Teacher of hiddenand silent sacrifice, to you, who cometo meet us sinners, we dedicate all ourbeing and all our love. We also dedicateto you our life, our work, our joys,our infirmities and our sorrows.Grant peace, justice and prosperity toour peoples, for we entrust to your careall that we have and all that we are, ourLady and Mother. We wish to be entirelyyours and to walk with you along theway of complete faithfulness to JesusChrist and His Church; hold us alwayswith your loving hand.1084338 DFN PG.indd 40-4111/12/18 10:51 AM
42 Prayers from Saint John Paul IIVirgin of Guadalupe, Mother of theAmericas, we pray to you for all theBishops, that they may lead thefaithful along paths of intense Christianlife, of love and humble service of Godand souls. Contemplate this immenseharvest, and intercede with the Lord thatHe may instill a hunger for holiness in thewhole people of God, and grant abundantvocations of priests and religious, strongin the faith and zealous dispensers ofGod’s mysteries.Grant to our homes the grace of lovingand respecting life in its beginnings, withthe same love with which you conceivedin your womb the life of the Son of God.Blessed Virgin Mary, protect our families,so that they may always be united, andbless the upbringing of our children.Our Blessed Hope, look upon us withcompassion. Teach us to go continuallyto Jesus and, if we fall, help us to riseagain, to return to Him by means of the1084338 DFN PG.indd 42-43Prayers from Saint John Paul II 43confession of our faults and sins in theSacrament of Penance, which givespeace to the soul.We beg you to grant us a great love forall the holy Sacraments, which are thesigns that your Son left us on earth.Thus, MostHoly Mother,with the peaceof God in ourconscience,with our heartsfree from eviland hatred,we will be ableto bring to alltrue joy andtrue peace,which come tous from your son, Our Lord Jesus Christ,who with God the Father and the HolySpirit, lives and reigns forever and ever.Amen.11/12/18 10:51 AM
Prayers from Saint John Paul II 45PRAYERS FORSPECIAL NEEDSPrayer for PeaceLord Jesus Christ, who are called thePrince of Peace, who are Yourself ourpeace and reconciliation, who sooften said, “Peace to you” – pleasegrant us peace.Make all men and women witnesses oftruth, justice and brotherly love. Banishfrom their hearts whatever mightendanger peace. Enlighten our rulersthat they may guarantee and defend thegreat gift of peace.May all peoples on the earth become asbrothers and sisters.May longed-for peace blossom forth andreign always over us all. Amen.“Do not be afraid. Open wide thedoors for Christ!” Saint John Paul II1084338 DFN PG.indd 44-4511/12/18 10:51 AM
46 Prayers from Saint John Paul IIPrayers from Saint John Paul II 47The sick, the elderly, the handicapped,and the dying teach us that weaknessis a creative part of human living, andthat suffering can be embraced with noloss of dignity. Without the presence ofthese people in your midst, you might betempted to think of health, strength andpower as the only important values to bepursued in life.But the wisdom of Christ and the powerof Christ are to be seen in the weaknessof those who share His sufferings.Prayer For All the SufferingJesus said, “My grace is sufficient foryou, for My power is made perfect inweakness.” I will all the more gladlyboast of my weaknesses, that thepower of Christ may rest upon me.(2 Corinthians 12:9-10)1084338 DFN PG.indd 46-47Let us keep the sick and handicappedat the center of our lives. Let us treasurethem and recognize with gratitude the debtwe owe them. We begin by imagining thatwe are giving to them; we end by realizingthat they have enriched us.May God bless and comfort all whosuffer. And may Jesus Christ, the Saviorof the world and healer of the sick, makeHis light shine through human weaknessas a beacon for us and for all people.Amen.11/12/18 10:51 AM
48 Prayers from Saint John Paul IIPrayer for GuidanceO God, You are our Creator. You aregood and Your mercy knows no bounds.To You arises the praise of every creature.O God, You have given us an inner lawby which we must live. To do Your willis our task. To follow Your ways is toknow peace of heart. To You we offerour homage.Guide us on all the paths we travelupon this earth. Free us from all the eviltendencies which lead our hearts awayfrom Your will. Never allow us to strayfrom You.O God, judge of all humanity, help us tobe included among Your chosen ones onthe last day.O God, Author of peace and justice,give us true joy and authentic love,and a lasting solidarity among peoples.Give us Your everlasting gifts. Amen.1084338 DFN PG.indd 48-4911/12/18 10:51 AM
50 Prayers from Saint John Paul IIPrayer for the Healingof FamiliesBlessed is everyone whofears the Lord, who walksin His ways!Your wife will be like afruitful vine within yourhouse; your childrenwill be like olive shootsaround your table.Lo, thus shall the man be blessed whofears the Lord. (Psalm 128:1, 3-4)Lord, from You every family in heavenand on earth takes its name.Father, You are Love and Life.Through Your Son, Jesus Christ, born ofa woman, and through the Holy Spirit,the fountain of Divine Charity, grant thatevery family on earth may become foreach successive generation a true shrineof life and love. Amen.1084338 DFN PG
message of faith and peace . A vocal advocate for human rights, he often spoke out about suffering in the world . He held strong positions on many topics, including the right to religious freedom . 4. Prayers from Saint John Paul II. 1084338 DFN PG.indd 4-5 11/12/18 10:51 AM
