September

September 3
Saint Gregory the Great
Pope

Blest are You, God, Ruler of the Universe.
We praise and thank you for raising up leaders in every age.
Today, we honor Saint Gregory,
     who had a career in civil and political service
     before becoming a Benedictine monk.
After being elected Pope, Saint Gregory,
     labored on behalf of the poor.
Help us to be mindful of our leaders
     and supportive of their efforts for the common good.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
          AMEN.
Saint Gregory, PRAY FOR US.

Labor Day
first Monday of September

God, the Master Artisan of all,
You create and bring everything into being.
The fruit of our work reflects Your goodness,
     wisdom and power.
As we honor all who labor with their hands,
     help us to be grateful
     and show appreciation to them.
Bless all who serve our needs
     this day and for ever.
          AMEN.

September 8
The Birth of Mary

Ever-living and ever-loving God,
In Your divine plan, You chose Mary
     to be part of the mystery of our redemption.
Remembering the birth of this baby girl,
     fill our hearts with joy and happiness.
Mindful of the miracle of each new human life,
     we praise and thank You for this creation.
May we treasure this precious gift of life
     and hold it holy in all its stages.
We ask this through Jesus, the Christ, our Lord,
     in the unity of the Holy Spirit
     both now and for ever.
          AMEN.
Holy Mary, PRAY FOR US.

September 9
Saint Peter Claver
Apostle of the Negroes

Holy God of All People,
Your compassion reaches to the ends of the earth.
Saint Peter Claver dedicated his priestly life
     to serving the slaves from West Africa.
Keep us mindful of the poor and abused ones among us.
Help us to treat all people with kindness and respect.
May we learn new ways to show
     how we love each other as brothers and sisters.
We ask this through Jesus,
     in the unity of the Holy Spirit
     for ever and ever.
          AMEN.
Saint Peter Claver, PRAY FOR US.

September 13
Saint John Chrysostom
Bishop, Chrysostom means “Golden mouth”

Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding,
You inspire people to preach
     the Good News of salvation.
You blest Saint John with the gift of loving words
     for neglected and suffering people.
With the help of Saint John,
     may we find words of good will,
     peace and gratitude today and every day.
This we ask in Jesus’ name.
          AMEN.
Saint John, PRAY FOR US.

September 14
Holy Cross Day

Jesus, our Loving Savior,
You came to live among us as a brother.
Thank You for suffering and dying on a cross
     for our salvation.
Today, we honor the Cross that You made holy.
Help us to take up our cross
     and with Your support to carry it in love.
“May my dark hours be dark for me alone
Nor o’er shadow other lives that I hold dear
Let me in laughter cloak each useless moan
And make my little world, a world of cheer.”
(From a holy card I memorized in Saint Raphael’s Grade School, Springfield,MN)
          AMEN.

September 17
Saint Hildegard
Abbess, musician, writer, scientist

God, Giver of all gifts,
You generously share goodness, truth and beauty.
May we respond to Your creative spirit
     like Saint Hildegard.
Broaden our vision to encompass a world view.
Help us to risk trying new areas of intereSaint
May we respect the efforts and talents of others
     and be willing to fail once in awhile.
We ask this in Jesus’ name.
          AMEN.
Saint Hildegard, PRAY FOR US.

September 20
Saint Andrew Kim Taegon
Saint Paul Chong Hasang and Companions
103 Korean martyrs

Humble God of the powerless,
You raise up men and women of spiritual strength.
May Saint Andrew Kim, Saint Paul and all Korean martyrs
     give us courage when we feel helpless and alone.
Send your Spirit of Trust to us this day
     to graciously accept our life.
Help us to carry our cross with dignity.
We ask this through Jesus, the Christ,
     in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
     both now and forever.
          AMEN.

September 21
Saint Matthew
apostle & gospel writer

Jesus, our compassionate brother,
You called Saint Matthew from tax collecting
     to follow Your way and to remember Your words.
When difficult things are asked of us,
     may we recall Saint Matthew’s willingness to change.
Inspire us to pass on the Good News of our salvation
     and encourage one another in our journey of faith.
Send your Spirit of Promise to lighten our hearts
     and welcome all people as our brothers and sisters.
This we ask in Your holy name.
          AMEN.
Saint Matthew, PRAY FOR US.

September 26
Saints Cosmas & Damian
Twin brothers & patron saints of physicians

Gracious God of Life,
We praise You for Your gift of comforting love and care.
As Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian were practicing physicians
     who accepted no fees for their service,
     may we be generous with our comforting words.
Send your Spirit of Healing to fill us with energy
     for giving of ourselves on behalf
     of Christian charity.
This we ask through Christ our Lord.
          AMEN.
Saints Cosmas and Damian, PRAY FOR US.

September 27
Saint Vincent de Paul
great organizer

Provident God of the powerless,
You inspire Your saints to be sensitive to our needs.
As Saint Vincent de Paul provided for the spiritual
     and material needs of the poor,
     help us to see with the eyes of faith.
Help us to seize every opportunity
     to be of service to one another
     and to praise you with our actions.
We ask this through Jesus, the Christ,
     in the unity of the Holy Spirit
     now and forever.
          AMEN.
Saint Vincent, PRAY FOR US.

September 28
Saint Wenceslaus
Christian ruler

Blest are You, Lord God, Ruler of the Universe,
You call forth leaders in every age to promote peace.
In the midst of political jealousy and upheaval,
You called Saint Wenceslaus to be hospitable
     to the poor, hungry and homeless.
Give us hearts filled with Your Spirit of Compassion.
May we generously give of our time, talent and treasure
     to further Your kingdom of peace and justice.
This we ask in Jesus’ name.
          AMEN.
Saint Wenceslaus, PRAY FOR US.

September 29
Saints Michael, Gabriel, Raphael
Archangels

Glory to You, God most high,
     through all ages You manifest Your goodness,
     truth and beauty.
Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael
     proclaimed Your messages of utmost importance.
Open our eyes to see, our ears to hear
     and our hearts to listen
     to Your messages of love in our time.
Help us to find Your Presence among us
     especially, hidden in the poor and humble
     both now and for ever.
          AMEN.
Saint Michael, PRAY FOR US.
Saint Gabriel, PRAY FOR US.
Saint Raphael, PRAY FOR US.

September 30
Saint Jerome
Bible translator

God of Revelation,
You sent Jesus to be the Eternal Word, living among us.
As Saint Jerome devoted a life-time of study
     to translating the scriptures,
     lead us to understand Your message
     and to know Your loving kindness.
With prayer and penance, Saint Jerome worked
     to overcome his temper and readiness to quarrel.
Help us to deal with our lifelong problems
     and transform them
     by deeds for the common good.
This we ask through Christ our Lord.
          AMEN.
Saint Jerome, PRAY FOR US.