MISSION BRIDGE OF PRAYER is an activity of the Pontifical Mission Societies associated with the celebration of World Mission Day – Mission Sunday.
The Pontifical Mission Societies invite the faithful this year to this activity on Saturday, October 19, 2024, in the evening, ideally at 6 PM.
Who and how can create and organize a prayer bridge?
The Mission Bridge of Prayer can be prepared by entire parishes, individuals, families, Mission clubs, and communities through a collective prayer for the missionary intention at the aforementioned time.
What prayer is suitable?
For this intention, we can dedicate the rosary or any other prayer for the missions, as well as our suffering, acts of love, or time for personal prayer. The joy of connection with God can then be shared with many places in need around the world. Pope Francis also encourages the whole world to pray for missions.
What should we pray for?
In our prayers, let us think of missionaries, the persecuted, the poor, the suffering, the abandoned, the abused, the sick, the hungry, those suffering from a lack of love..., we can also include petitions for the spread of the Gospel throughout the world or for the gift of faith and for Pope Francis.
How to prepare for the Saturday evening prayer meeting before Mission Sunday and how to enrich it?
For these moments, candles made and blessed for this occasion can be used. Mission materials and symbols that remind us of the importance of missions and our connection with all in need around the world can help deepen the experience of communal prayers. This way, we become more aware that missions cannot exist without prayer.
Let yourself be inspired by these ideas:
· prayer by candlelight · lighting a candle during each decade of the rosary · singing songs with Marian or missionary themes · bringing flowers · making your own rosary, building the BRIDGE (Prayer, Sacrifice, Service, Creativity) · showing a video for Mission Sunday · organizing a lecture · using missionary t-shirts
“Daily prayer and especially the Eucharist make us pilgrims-missionaries of hope on the way to eternal life in God, to the wedding feast that God has prepared for all His children.”(Pope Francis)
For communal prayer, you can use the prayer card prepared for this year, which includes a poster for Mission Sunday with the prayer for the spread of faith:
We ask You, Lord,
send workers into your harvest and grant them grace so that Your Word may be spread quickly and glorified, and that all nations may know You, the only God, and Him whom You have sent – Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You. Amen.
The prayer for the spread of faith and further information not only for Mission Sunday can be found in Mission Newsletter No. 36. You can order it here
PRAYER OF THE MISSIONARY ROSARY WITH CHILDREN
By praying the rosary, we can connect with those whom the Pontifical Mission Societies support in the Czech Republic.
You can pray on the colorful missionary rosary according to its colors, which have the following symbolism:
- green is the color of Africa and reminds us of the color of tropical forests
- white is Europe – as the color of our skin and also symbolizes the seat of the Holy Father
- yellow is the color of dawn in the east and represents Asia
- blue is the color of the oceans and reminds us of the islands of Oceania and Australia
- red color is symbolically used for America as the color of the skin of its indigenous inhabitants
In the first decade, we will pray for Africa.
The child places a stone representing Africa at the designated spot. (similarly for the other decades)
Prayer: Lord God, I know that many children in Africa need medical help or suffer from hunger and deprivation. In some places, children even have to fight in wars. Let me remember them in my prayers and offerings.
After reading the prayer, the child brings a candle to the place where we place the cross. The rosary prayer proceeds in the usual way.
The second decade we will pray for America.
Prayer: Lord God, I know that life in misery is unbearable for many children. They run to the streets and become small homeless people. They are subjected to violence, live in fear, and experience injustice. Often they are killed or forced into criminal activity. Help me, Lord, to live modestly and do something good for those who are worse off than I am. Thank You for everything I have.
After the prayer, the child brings a lit candle to the place where we place the cross. The rosary prayer proceeds in the usual way.
The third decade we dedicate to Asia.
Prayer: Make, Lord, that adults realize that children cannot work so hard and should not be deprived of their childhood. Let them be able to play like I can.
After the prayer, the child brings a candle to the cross. The rosary prayer proceeds in the usual way.
The fourth decade we pray for Australia and Oceania.
Prayer: Lord God, children in Oceania long to meet Your Son, but often they cannot. In small islands, there are many places for tourists, but a place for You is lacking. Help that missionaries are found who bring the message of the Lord Jesus to the children of Oceania, and help me to be a small missionary.
After the prayer, the child brings a candle again. The rosary prayer proceeds in the usual way.
The last decade we pray for Europe.
Prayer: Lord God, in wealthy Europe, which has raised so many missionaries, today more and more people are losing their faith. Children often have everything, but they lack religious upbringing. Many suffer from loneliness because their families are falling apart. Help that peace, joy, and unity return to our families.
After the prayer, the child brings a candle to the cross. The rosary prayer proceeds in the usual way. In conclusion, we will pray Hail Holy Queen.
You can order the booklet Missionary Rosary from our Mission Materials Catalog here
Holy Mary, who are on the way, Mother of Christ's missionary disciples and Queen of missions, pray for us!
INTERCESSIONS
Lord Jesus invites us to persistent prayer to our heavenly Father:
– May the missionary work of Your people contribute to the sanctification of the world, so that humanity may attain salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
– Help Pope Francis, all bishops, priests, and deacons in proclaiming Your Word, encourage them in their difficult service.
– Over all wars and weapons of the world, let the power of prayer and honest work prevail.
– We ask You for help for abandoned and sick children, orphans in missionary areas, and helpless old people.
– We ask You for blessings for all those who serve in the Pontifical Mission Societies, may they testify to You with their faith, prayer, and service of love and become a gift to those around them.
– To the deceased proclaimers of the Gospel and servants of the most needy, may You Yourself be their reward and endless joy.
The letter from the national director of the Pontifical Missions in the Czech Republic for Mission Sunday 2024 can be found here
The message from Pope Francis for World Mission Day 2024 can be found here
We look forward to your messages and photos from the Mission Bridge of Prayer in your parishes, communities, or families!
Taken from www.missio.cz
