“May the mother of Jesus and our mother, always smile on your spirit, obtaining for it, from her most holy son, every heavenly blessing.” ~Saint Padre Pio

Lord God, light of the faithful and shepherd of souls, you gave St John of Beverley to your Church to feed your flock by his teaching; grant that we who are celebrating his feast may be supported by his prayers. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

“I knew before that God gave life to humankind and desires that they should live; now I understand more than that. I understand that God does not wish people to live apart, and therefore he does not reveal to them what each one needs for himself; but he wishes them to live united, and therefore reveals to each of them what is necessary for all. I now understand that though it seems to people that they live by care for themselves, in truth it is love alone by which they live. He who has love is in God, and God is in him, for God is love.” ~Leo Tolstoy, The Gospel in Tolstoy

Almighty God, who in every country raise up martyrs from every walk of life to vindicate the authority of Your Church in teaching and worship, grant through their intercession, we pray, that all people may be gathered once again to celebrate the same sacraments under the one Shepherd, Jesus Christ Your Son. Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Almighty ever-living God, lead us to a share in the joys of heaven, so that the humble flock may reach where the brave Shepherd has gone before. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Almighty, ever-living God and Father, you raised up Saint Athanasius as the great champion of your Son’s divinity. Through the doctrine and patronage of your saint, in which we rejoice, let our knowledge and love of you grow ever deeper and stronger. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Saint Joseph the Worker

Lord God and Creator of the universe, you imposed on mankind the law of work. Give us grace, by Saint Joseph’s example and at his intercession, to finish the works you give us to do, and to come to the rewards you promise. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen