Embracing a Common Future

Edmund Rice Christian Brothers

North America

Thursday, 09 August 2007

Opening Hymn

    Here I Am Lord

    The Servant Song

    The Summons (Iona)

    Laudate Omnes Gentes (Taize)

    Or any appropriate hymn.

For the times we have failed in love and compassion.

        We ask your pardon Lord - Lord, have mercy.

For the times we have failed to show courage in the face of injustice,

        We ask your pardon, Lord - Christ, have mercy.

For the times we have failed to forgive the hurts and wrongs done to us,    

        We ask your pardon, Lord - Lord, have mercy.

Prayer: Lord, we rejoice in your mercy and forgiveness. Grant us the grace to forgive as we are forgiven, to love as you command us to love.

O God, you raised up Blessed Edmund Rice to serve Christ in those suffering from poverty and injustice; grant, we pray that following his example, we may be faithful servants of your truth and love. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

First Reading:     Isaiah 42: 1-2, 4

Responsorial Psalm:

Verses from Psalm 98: verse 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 - followed by response.

Second Reading: Ephesians 3:14-19

Gospel Acclamation:

Gospel Reading: John 15: 1-8, 12-14

Brothers and sisters, we are gathered together to celebrate the mystery of our salvation in Jesus Christ. Let us ask God to open for all the world this fountain of life and blessings.

For the universal Church, that it may ever more fully and eagerly embrace its mission to proclaim the Gospel to all the world through the witness of service and love.

     We pray to the Lord …. Lord, hear our prayer.

For all who follow in the footsteps of Blessed Edmund Rice: the Presentation and Christian Brothers, and all members of the ER Network, that they may respond with the same courage and generosity to the call of Christ to the marginalized and outcast of our own day.

     We pray to the Lord … Lord, hear our prayer.

For each us, called to one Discipleship, that the life of Blessed Edmund may encourage and inspire us to love one another as Christ has commanded us.

     We pray to the Lord … Lord, hear our prayer.

For the young, to whom Blessed Edmund devoted his life, especially those on the fringes of our educational system, that they may hear Christ’s call to grow and bear fruit through the witness and ministry of others.
     We pray to the Lord … Lord, hear our prayer.

For all who suffer disability and illness, that they may find healing through the love and care of others and may the compassion they awaken be a source of renewal in our world.

     We pray to the Lord … Lord, hear our prayer.

For all who suffer oppression and injustice that they may know hope through the witness and courage of others.

     We pray to the Lord … Lord, hear our prayer.

For all the faithful departed, especially for the deceased members of the congregation founded by Blessed Edmund, that the Lord may reward them in the glory of his eternal Kingdom.

     We pray to the Lord … Lord, hear our prayer.

Father, hear the prayers of your people. Give us what you inspired us to ask you for in faith. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lord, accept the gifts we bring in memory of Blessed Edmund. May our sharing in this mystery of your love help us to live the example of that love. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.

Preface

Father all powerful and ever living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks. You renew the church in every age by raising up men and women outstanding in holiness, living witnesses of your unchanging love.

They inspire us by their heroic lives and help us by their constant prayers to be the living sign of your saving power. We praise you Lord with all the angels and saints in their song of joy:

 HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

Eucharistic Prayer

(Recited at Eucharistic celebration in Rome on October 7th '96)

We bless you, God of holiness. You accompany us with love as we journey through life.  Blessed too is your Son, Jesus Christ, who is present among us and whose love gathers us together.

As once he did for his disciples, Christ now opens the scriptures for us and breaks the bread. Great and merciful father, we ask you:

Send down your Holy Spirit to hallow these gifts of bread and wine that they may become for us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

On the eve of his passion and death while at table with those he loved he took bread and gave you thanks, he broke the bread, gave it to his disciples and said:

                    Take this, all of you, and eat it. This is my body which will be given up for you.

When supper was ended he took the cup, again he gave you thanks and handing the cup to his disciples he said:

Take this all of you and drink from it; this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant.  It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me.

                    Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

And so, Father most holy, we celebrate the memory of Christ your son whom you led through suffering and death on the cross to the glory of the resurrection and a place at your right hand.

Until Jesus our Savior comes again, we proclaim the work of your love and we offer the bread of life and the cup of eternal blessing.

Look with favor on the offering of your Church in which we show forth the paschal sacrifice Christ entrusted to us. Through the power of your Spirit of love, include us now and forever among the members of your Son whose body and blood we share.

Lord, perfect your Church in faith and love, together with John Paul, our Pope, your bishop, ......................., with all the bishops, priests and deacons, and all those your Son has gained for you.

Open our eyes to the needs of all; inspire us with words and deeds to comfort those who labor and are burdened. Keep our service of others faithful to the example and command of Christ,

Let your Church be a living witness to truth and freedom, to justice and peace, that all may be lifted up by the hope of a world made new. Mindful of our brothers and sisters (N, & N) who fallen asleep in the peace of Christ, and all those whose faith only you can know lead them to the fullness of the resurrection and gladden them with the light of your face.  When our pilgrimage on earth is complete, welcome us into your heavenly home where we shall dwell with you forever.

There, with Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, with the Apostles, the martyrs, (mention the patron saints of the country or diocese) and Blessed Edmund Rice, we shall praise you and give you glory, through Christ, Your Son,

Through him, with him, in him,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all glory and honor is yours,

Almighty father forever and ever. Amen.

    Pity then the Child (Liam Lawton)

    Ubi Caritas (Taize)

    Or any appropriate hymn.

Blessed Edmund Rice is a shining example of the fruitfulness of the Christian life when, as St. Paul writes to the Philippians, we "fill our minds with everything that is true, noble, good and pure" (cf Phil, 4:8-9). Here we have an outstanding mode! of a true lay apostle and a deeply committed religious. The love which he first gave to his daughter, blossomed into a host of spiritual and corporal works of mercy, as he helped the clergy of his parish meet the pressing needs of his fellow citizens oppressed by poverty and the weight of anti-Catholic legislation. The Spirit eventually led him to the total consecration of himself and his companions in the Religious Life.

Today, his spiritual sons, the Christian Brothers and the Presentation Brothers, continue his mission: a mission which he himself described in this simple and clear intention:

"Trusting in God's help, I hope to be able to educate these boys to be good Catholics and good citizens". Who will ever measure all the good that has come from the spiritual insight, warm heart and determined faith of Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice ? Once more Ireland has given the Church and the world a striking testimony of complete fidelity to Christ: "Keep doing all the things that you have been taught by him... Then the God of peace will be with you." (cf Phil. 4:9)

May we go forth with compassion and courage in our hearts to work together for the coming of God’s kingdom of justice, love and peace. Amen.

    Magnificat

    Laudate Omnes Gentes (Taize)

    Ave Maria (Lourdes hymn)

    Or any appropriate Marian hymn.