A New Year's Blessing from a Fellow Jesuit

A New Year Blessing

During our Advent preparation for Christmas we sought God’s aid that we grow in the hope that God’s promises to us would be fulfilled. Now in the flush of enthusiasm for this New Year, 2010, we seek God’s assistance to be close to us on the road of these fresh adventures in faith:

Lord God, help us now to realize more deeply that you are not far off, but near, that you speak to us in our own tongue, that you touch us through the hand of men and women like ourselves.

You have called us your own, your chosen ones, and we place our trust in your word.

Stay with us and give us your peace. May we never be afraid.

We pray for people of all ages, for all who young and old belong to each other and go through life together, that we may care for and respect each other.

We pray for all children, for all among us who are defenseless and small--that nothing may harm them,that we may lead them to know the truth.

We pray for our young people whose lives lie ahead of them, that we may go forward with open and receptive minds to meet their future, that they may learn to accept themselves and not lose heart, that they may respect the past, be faithful to their friends and unselfish in love, ready to make this world a better place to live in.

We pray for those in the prime of life, that their lives may be fruitful and seek the welfare of others.

We pray for the elderly, that they may stay young in heart and put their experience to good use in the service of others.

We pray for ourselves that young or old we may constantly be made new by your grace, Lord our God.

We place these requests before you knowing that you will hear us.

We pray for peace and truth, that your will be done at all times in us, from day to day through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Fr. David Casey, S.J., Chaplain to the Alumni