2014-08-15 17:42:00

With the Synod on the family in mind, a prayer for families


The Family and family matters in particular, will be central issues for discussion during the extraordinary general session of the Synod of Bishops to take place in the Vatican from 5 to 19 October 2014. The Synod of Bishops on the family will discuss the “Pastoral challenges of the family in the context of Evangelization.”

More than one hundred Bishops are expected in Rome for this Synod.

The last Synod of Bishops on the family was held in 1980. Afterwards the Apostolic Exhortation on the “Christian Family in the Modern Word”, Familiaris Consortio, was released to the public.

See the document Familiaris Consortio at this link:

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_19811122_familiaris-consortio_en.html

In light of the expected Synod on the family, a Missionary of Africa priest (White Fathers), Fr. Baptiste Regina Mapunda, based in Ghana, has re-issued the family healing prayer that he first wrote in 2011. Fr. Mapunda’s prayer is modeled along the Catholic Prayer, Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace, widely attributed to St. Francis of Assisi.

Fr. Mapunda says many families in Africa and elsewhere are facing unprecedented challenges. He says God can heal the many different wounds in families. He therefore proposes this prayer which families and Small Christian Communities (SCC) can use when they come together for prayer. Below is Fr. Mapunda’s prayer.

The Family Healing Prayer

God of Love and Peace make us instruments of your peace in our families:

Where there is a family divided by hatred, let us bring Love,

Where there is a family wounded by conflict, let us bring Peace,

Where there is a family lacking in forgiveness, let us bring Forgiveness,

Where there is a family suffering, let us bring Healing,

Where there is doubt in the family, let us bring Faith,

Where there is falsehood in family relationships, let us bring Truth,

Where there is sorrow in the family, let us bring Joy,

Where there is a family living in darkness, let us bring Light,

Where there is oppression in the family, let us bring Justice,

Where there is an ill-informed family, let us bring Education,

Where there is selfishness in the family, let us bring sharing,

Where there is corruption in the family, let us bring Love,

Where there is discrimination in the family, let us bring Equity.

Where there is tribalism, let us bring Unity,

Where there is self-exaltation, let us bring Humility,

Where there is alcoholism in the family, let us bring Sobriety,

Where there is drug addiction in the family, let us bring Treatement.

Where sickness in a family is, let us bring Healing,

Where there is death and mourning, let us bring Life

Where there is sadness in the family, let us bring Consolation,

Where there is lack of trust in a family, let us bring Hope,

Where there is gossip in the family, let us bring Trtuh,

Where there is a lack of Faith, let us bring the Good News,

Where there is slavery in a family, let us bring Freedom,

Where there is a family afflicted by witchcraft, let us bring Jesus Christ,

Where there is enmity, let us bring Friendship,

O Lord make our families resemble the Holy Family of Nazareth, we make our prayer through Jesus Christ Our Lord Amen!

Mary Mother of God pray for us, Saint Joseph Patron of all the families Pray for us. All the Saints and all the angels…Pray for us.  Glory be to the Father, to the Son and to the Holy Spirit Amen.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!

(Paul Samasumo)

e-mail: engafrica@vatiradio.va

 

 








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