I have been introducing to all of our parish worshipping communities two prayers that have been presented to the Catholic communities across the world by two very holy Popes. The first comes to us from Pope Pius XI, and it is entitled: “Act of Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.” While the second prayer comes from St. John Paul II, and His is entitled: “Act of Entrustment of the World to the Divine Mercy,” I am asking anyone who is interested in joining with me, throughout Advent, in the practice of the offering of these two prayers on any one day of the four weeks of Advent for the Divine fulfillment of the whole human family to the fullness of the content of both prayers.
We do not have to come together in order to offer the two prayers on the same day. Just by committing to pray them at least once every week that, in itself unites us as a group committed to offering these prayers for the whole world.
Elizabeth Dunning is making a smaller size of a prayer card that can be folded up and carried in our prayer books, or purses, or a clothes pocket. So, I am putting up a Sign Up Sheet for Prayer Cards on the notice boards of each of our Churches, so that if you want to have one and join with those of us who choose to offer these prayers throughout Advent, then, just sign up and I can get you copies of the fold-up carry version of the two prayers. Let me remind you that Jesus assures us that “Whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He [and I] will do for you.”
Let us, then, if you wish to join with me in this prayer to the Father in and through the Sacred Heart of Jesus’ Holy Name and unfathomable Divine Mercy embrace this Advent intercessory prayer for the peoples of the whole world.
May God bless and guide each one of us in and through this heart-felt project during Advent! God bless all.
Fr. James McSharry