Why the pope chose the name Francis

Source: CNS (Catholic News Service)

Respect for Women

In this month's prayer intention Pope Francis included:
Respect for Women. That all cultures may respect the rights and dignity of women.
The Apostleship of Prayer produced a wonderful video highlighting the Pope's thoughts and comments on this issue.



Source: Apostleship of Prayer

Join Us in Prayer | Meet Me in the Desert | Catholic Relief Services

The desert landscape in southern Balochistan, flooded by Cyclone Yemyin in 2007, forced many families to relocate. CRS provided families with clean water, sanitation facilities and shelter from the summer sun. (Staff/CRS)

Meet Me in the Desert
(A Lenten Prayer)

Lord of Lent, Lord of Easter,

As you went into the desert
So do I follow
Putting aside that which distracts me
Grabs at me
Falsely claims me.

To search inside
To confront myself
My best, my worst
My good works and my sins.

And each time, I find you there
To call to me again
With words of challenge and words of mercy.

And as I fall to my knees, in prayer, in fasting
In sacrifice and penitence
Somehow, you have it in yourself to reach out
   and gently lift me
To renew me
To claim me as nothing of this world can claim
   me.

 

Meet me in the desert, Lord.
Claim me anew.

Amen.

Source:  Join Us in Prayer | Meet Me in the Desert | Catholic Relief Services

 

Visit CRS through the link above and download a PDF version for print/display