6 April 2025 - prayers of the faithful - 5th Sunday of Lent

Introduction: Our Jubilee Year of 2025 reminds the Catholic faithful that we are to be pilgrims of hope in the world. Our lives of faith are a pilgrimage and our journey through the holy season of Lent is a part of that pilgrimage journey. This time of penance, sacrifice, and works of mercy is to be a pilgrimage to the cross of Christ. In the midst of our Lenten journey, we can still be pilgrims of hope, since we know that the cross is not the end point of our journey. May our hope of salvation encourage us on our Lenten journey. 

Lord Jesus: you have done great things for us. 

Christ Jesus: you are the Messiah, the son of God. 

Lord Jesus: you are the way that leads us to new life. 

Priest: We place our trust in the Lord. He hears our voices as we call out to him in supplication for our needs, the needs of our neighbor, and the needs of the Church: 

1. For God’s holy Church, that we may loosen all that binds us to sin and death, bringing forgiveness, reconciliation, and new life to those in darkness. We pray to the Lord. 

2. That the nations of the world may put down weapons of destruction. May we all work toward peace and justice. We pray to the Lord. 

3. For those who suffer from addiction, that they may find the strength and courage to break through those terrible bonds. We pray to the Lord. 

4. For those adults who will enter the Church on Easter weekend and for our children and youth who are preparing for the sacraments. For the new life and blessings they will receive from Christ. We pray to the Lord. 

5. That we may reach out in mercy and understanding to those who are bound tightly to sin and hate. We pray to the Lord. 

6. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed. For healing for the sick and the shut-in. We pray to the Lord. 

7. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts, for our intentions spoken and unspoken. We pray to the Lord.

Priest: Merciful God, you give us hope in the midst of despair, you bring us light in the darkness, and you give us new life in our death. We make our prayers today through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever.  AMEN.