Would you please join us in saying just a one line prayer, every day of the month? Each prayer here is backed up with a special line from the Bible. We KNOW that prayer changes things, do join us in making a positive change in the world we live in!

Day/Date Interceding According to the Mind of Christ
Wed
1/9/2010 Ex 35: 30-34 See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel … And he has inspired him to teach
This month, as we celebrate Teachers Day, we lift up teachers – those in our schools, colleges and Sunday Schools, that they may be open to the dual wonder of their vocation – its God-given nature and its crucial role in developing the ‘whole person’ of the child in their care. We also pray this month for the work of Evangelization carried out through the ‘Proclamation Cell’ during the ‘Bandra Fair’–12th-19th Sept

Thu
2/9/2010 John 15:16 It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last
Pray for Catholic Housing Societies in our city, that their members, specially the office-bearers, would be spared the greed of selling or redeveloping at exorbitant rates, at the cost of losing their Catholic identity and without demonstrating true Christian love for neighbour. May they make prudent choices combining development and the welfare of its members

Fri
3/9/2010 1 Tim 2:4 God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth
First Friday - Day of fast and prayer for our catholic teachers and priests, especially those involved in education. Pray also for the ‘Diocesan Estate Office’ administrator Fr. Elias D’Cunha, for wisdom and discernment in handling all matters related to church properties, that God would help us develop our properties for the community good and that no church property would fall into the hands of unscrupulous builders/developers or taken away unjustly., that people staying on church property may be grateful to the Lord for making available the accommodation provided and would strive to work in harmony with priests/administrators for the good of the community

Sat
4/9/2010 Matt 19:14 But Jesus said, Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven
We pray for our religious who are animators/teachers in schools, that they realize and cherish their responsibility as teachers of the faith. We pray for Christ-centered men/women in Parish Councils across our city that, equipped and guided by the Holy Spirit, they may have the pastoral welfare at heart, especially focusing on families, youth and poor - and work for the building of God’s Kingdom in our midst

Sun
5/9/2010 Prov 15:2 A wise teacher makes learning a joy; a rebellious teacher spouts foolishness
Teacher’s Day : Offer the Eucharist today in thanksgiving for every teacher who has come along our path and helped mould us into what we are today. For all they’ve sown in our lives, may they be rewarded with every blessing by our greatest Teacher- Jesus

Mon
6/9/2010 Luke 10:2b The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest
This week we focus our prayers on the mission and work of the ‘Proclamation Cell’ as they prepare for the work of evangelization at Mount Mary’s Basilica during the eight days of the Bandra Fair. Let us pray today to the Lord of the harvest to send many labourers to work in the vineyard of the Lord that they would cheerfully give of their time and the gifts the Lord has blessed them with

Tue
7/9/2010 Ps 133:3b For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life for evermore
We lift up the Proclamation Cell, its leaders, co-members, co-ordinators, volunteers and those helping out - who will be praying with those visiting the shrine during the eight days of the Bandra fair. We also lift up prayer group leaders and heads of other associations who will coordinate and support this work by encouraging their members to offer their assistance; may God bind them all in the love of Jesus so that as they look to Him, obstacles will vanish and they would work in harmony, allowing the commanded blessing of the Lord to flow

Wed
8/9/2010 Luke 1:45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother and Mother of the Church. With gratitude let us thank God for the gift of Mary to each of us and the whole church; let us ask God to give us the grace to be thankful in every situation and to live a life of praise like Mary. Through her intercession let us ask God for a powerful anointing of the Holy Spirit on all those who will be ministering at the Basilica.
Day of the Girl Child – Pray for peoples across the nations, and in our own country, to change their attitude towards the girl child

Thu
9/9/2010 Ps 91:11 For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways
We pray for all those involved in the ‘Proclamation Cell’ during the octave following the Feast Day, specially those ministering to people struggling with sickness, diseases, calamity, misfortune, hexes, occult forces, sin, areas of the flesh, ego, breakdown in relationships specially at home and all the wiles of the enemy. Pray that the Lord would send His angels to watch over them and their families

Fri
10/9/2010 Ps 67:1-2 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us that thy ways may be known upon earth, thy saving power …
Fast and pray for God favour to rest on this mission work of evangelization during the Bandra Fair so that it would bear much fruit for the Kingdom. Pray that the ministering room given to the Proclamation Cell would be cleansed in the Blood of the Lamb for God’s manifest presence and glory to be made known during those days. Also pray for protection against violence and any terrorist groups

Sat
11/9/2010 2 Cor 9:7 Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver
Pray for the smooth functioning and co-ordination of all the arrangements for the Outreach at the Mount, like co-ordination between groups to take up slots allotted to them, procurement/distribution of Bibles and tracts, counseling, etc.. Pray that people who have committed themselves to handle various tasks and duties would honour their commitment, be on time and do it with the joy of the Lord

Sun
12/9/2010 Ps 37:4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart
Today, Bandra celebrates the Feast in honour of Mary, our Mother, at the Basilica of Mount Mary popularly known as the ‘Bandra Fair’. The Bandra Fair is estimated to be around 300 years old. The fair started when a statue of Mother Mary was found floating in the Arabian Sea between 1700 and 1760, which, according to a legend, a Koli (local) fisherman had dreamt about a few years earlier. The Fair draws lakhs of devotees and pilgrims annually. Many faithful attest to the miraculous powers of the Mount. During the Fair, tens of thousands visit the shrine of Our Lady of the Mount. The shrine attracts people from all faiths who pray to the statue for thanksgiving or requesting of favours. (Source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandra_Fair.) We pray for all those who will come up the Mount to honour our Lady, that they would not only have the desires of their heart met, but also that they would meet the Desire of all desires – a knowledge of and a relationship with Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God. Suggestion: Pray a rosary today that the outreach will be “fruit-bearing”

Mon
13/9/2010 Ps 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me
Pray for openness to the Holy Spirit and His Word for all those who will come to be ministered to at the Mount, that all would experience the life transforming power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Suggestion: Pray a rosary today that the outreach will be “fruit-bearing”

Tue
14/9/2010 Isa 53:5a Upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed
‘We hail Thee’ let these words always echo from the lips and hearts of every Christian in our Archdiocese as the Church celebrates the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. As we pray for all those coming to the Mount to be prayed with, may the healing, delivering and saving power of the Cross flow into their lives and the lives of their families. May Mary lead them to the foot of the Cross where they will recognize Jesus Christ as their loving Saviour. Suggestion: Pray a rosary today that the outreach will be “fruit-bearing”

Wed
15/9/2010 Luke 2:35 And a sword will pierce through your own soul also
Feast of our ‘Lady of Sorrows’. Let us meditate on all the pain and sorrow Our Blessed Mother experienced and pray specially that those coming to the Mount seeking answers to their sorrows and sufferings, may be led lovingly by Mary to Jesus through the Proclamation Outreach team, that as they are ministered to, they would be set free from their burdens of pain and shackles of sorrow and experience the joy and peace of the risen Lord. Suggestion: Pray a rosary today that the outreach will be “fruit-bearing”

Thu
16/9/2010 Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful
Feasts of St. Cornelius (Pope) and St. Cyprian (Bishop); we ask God, through the intercession of these martyrs, for grace for the people of other faiths being ministered to by the Proclamation Cell team, that they may open their hearts and lives to Jesus as Lord and Saviour, thus coming to the knowledge of the true and living God. Suggestion: Pray a rosary today that the outreach will be “fruit-bearing”

Fri
17/9/2010 Isaiah 54:17, A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances
Fast and pray today for hardened sinners; pray especially for youth searching for the truth, those in bondage to sin, drugs, alcohol, sexual promiscuity, etc. that they would be drawn to the Proclamation team to be ministered to and through Christ they would experience forgiveness of sin and deliverance from evil. Suggestion: Pray a rosary today that the outreach will be “fruit-bearing”

Sat
18/9/2010 John 16:13-14 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth
Today we offer to the Father, the entire work of the Outreach and the fruit it has/will bear in the days to come. We cover it in the Blood of the Lamb so that none of this grace would be lost/stolen but that the Father would be glorified in Jesus. Suggestion: Pray a rosary today that the outreach will be “fruit-bearing”

Sun
19/9/2010 Rom 10:13 For, every one who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved
Today we offer the Eucharist in thanksgiving and bless God for all those who have freely given of their time to be part of the Proclamation Cell. As large crowds will attend, being the last day of the Fair, we pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all those coming and all the labourers in the Lord’s vineyard. Suggestion: Pray a rosary today that the outreach will be “fruit-bearing”

Mon
20/9/2010 Mark 4:8 And other seeds fell into good soil and brought forth grain, … and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundred fold
Pray that the seed which has been sown in the heart of every non-believer ministered unto, during the eight days of the Bandra fair at the Mount, may not be lost but would fall on good soil and would bear fruit, fruit in plenty

Tue
21/9/2010 John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life
We bring every person who was ministered to by the Proclamation Cell team, and has received a healing, deliverance, change of heart or a favour granted; may God give them grace to seek full communion with the Catholic Church in wanting to know more about the faith through RCIA programmes, culminating in Baptism, thereby becoming members of the Body of Christ

Wed
22/9/2010 Ps 40:11 Do not thou, O Lord, withhold thy mercy from me, let thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness ever preserve me
Through the Rosary today, pray that the dark powers of the occult/new age or any other religious spirit would set completely free those who encountered the Lord at the Mount / through the evangelization team

Thu
23/9/2010 Matt 11:25 At that time Jesus declared, I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes
As the church today celebrates the feast of St. Pius of Pietreleina, better known as Padre Pio, may his prayer be ours for both our shepherds and the sheep and lambs who are God’s people - ‘Teach us, we ask you, humility of heart so we may be counted among the little ones of the Gospel, to whom the Father promised to reveal the mysteries of his Kingdom’

Fri
24/9/2010 Ps 53:2 God looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there are any that are wise, that seek after God
A day of fast for the Night Vigil (25th September) at St. Andrew’s College Chapel, Bandra, where the focus of intercession is praying for our Catholic Teachers and good governances of church-related properties in our City. Pray for anointing and protection for those leading. Also pray for the pilgrimage to the Holy Land (Oct:17-28) organized by Fr. Byron Mendonca and supported by FBB, for God’s hand of favour on all the arrangements namely-flights departures on time, immigrations, travel, border crossings, hotel accommodation, guides, etc

Sat
25/9/2010 Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
We continue to lift up the Inner Healing Ministry that they are protected and empowered by the Holy Spirit. We also lift up ‘Joyful Noise’, a ministry focused on making young people aware about their music choices

Sun
26/9/2010 Ps 51:1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy steadfast love; according to thy abundant mercy blot out my transgressions
Pray for families in our Archdiocese, especially those where love is missing, that the Lord’s Mercy will shine forth, bringing reconciliation

Mon
27/9/2010 Matt 5:48 You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect
Pray for youth in our Archdiocese; may the Holy Spirit enable those in leadership to make every effort to reach out to all youth as integral members of the Church, that no youth feel left out, inadequate or less qualified to be part of the life of Church and its activities

Tue
28/9/2010 Mt 19:21 If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven
Pray for the less fortunate and poor in our parishes, that the love of Christ may overflow from us as ‘neighbours’ into their lives and that we become ‘one body’ caring for each member, that all “will know we are Christians by our love” like the early Christian communities

Wed
29/9/2010 Tob 12:15 I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels who present the prayers of the saints and enter into the presence of the glory of the Holy One
Feast of Holy Archangels - Michael, Gabriel and Raphael; through their intercession let this be our prayer for the church today –
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. Pray this prayer today specially for seminaries/formation houses throughout the world

Thu
30/9/2010 Rev 22:19 And if any one takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book
Feast of St. Jerome, Doctor, a Catholic apologist and best known for translating the Vulgate, a widely popular Latin edition of the Bible. Through his intercession, may we fall deeper in love with the Bible and learn/defend our faith. Pray for the Apologetics work in our city

Holy Father’s Intentions for the Month (Pray for these intentions daily)
General Intention:That the proclamation of the Word of God may renew people’s hearts, encouraging them to work toward authentic social progress.
Missionary Intention: That by opening our hearts to love we may put an end to the wars and conflicts which continue to bloody our world.

—
This ‘Intercession Diary’ has the approval and blessings of the Bishops’ Team of the Archdiocese and contains intentions of the Cardinal and Bishops of Mumbai. Vetted by Fr Byron Mendonca, Assistant Parish Priest, Mt Carmel Church, Mumbai, India. All scripture passages are taken from Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition. Please contact Royston@Glorify-God.com for any feedback.

The past should encourage us to Hope; despite the present and even despite ourselves. What God has done for us should constantly spur us on from ‘one level of glory to the next’. And among the ‘wonders the Lord has done’, surely the greatest is His Saving Work on the Cross. The wood of the cross, the merciful raft that floats over the wrath of God, typified in the Ark that saved Noah and his household and creation. How desperate should we be to pull others onto the raft/ship?; especially those drowning in the cares of the world trying to battle with sin and the rigours of daily life in their own strength.

The love of Christ compels (constrains/impels) us (2 Cor 5:14). We cannot sit back and be content with our ‘own’ ‘personal’ salvation. The love of Christ needs to quicken our steps, direct our minds, control our actions to ‘bring the Good News’. (Rom 10:15)

This September as we celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Lady, whose openness to the grace of the Holy Spirit and whose ‘Yes’ brought the Good News to us ‘in flesh’ (in caro/in carnis), may we too play our role in the incarnation of the Word in our times and in our land. As we prepare for the Proclamation Outreach during the Octave of the Feast of Our Lady of the Mount, may prayer be the foundation, back-bone and bulwark of the entire effort. May the Lord who alone builds the house (Ps 127:1), provide the right builders and material to ensure the labour is not in vain (1 Cor 15:58) and bears ‘abundant fruit’ (Jn 15:5).

I recall with amazement how the Lord prepared the way over 2 years ago when Mount Mary’s Basilica premises was offered for the Proclamation effort.

I recall with amazement how so many persevered in prayer, including the members of the Sanctuary Intercessors of the FBB who organised Prayer Outreaches and would climb up the Mount praying along the way year after year, much like the servant who Elijah sent up the mountain repeatedly (and in faith) till finally he saw the cloud approaching. And what a mighty (latter) rain fell! (1 Kings 18).

I recall with amazement how two years ago we at the St Theresa’s Prayer Group sensed the need to fast and pray and prepare ourselves for evangelisation at the Mount, with no clarity on how we would go about it - where would we situate ourselves, what material we would use, etc. And then a week before the Octave we got a call from the Proclamation Cell saying that they had a room, material and infrastructure but needed ‘fisher folk’. How wonderful indeed are the Lord’s ways.

May the wonders the Lord has done spur us on in Hope. May Mary our Blessed Mother be with us along the way that leads to Jesus - the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Deborah Bedford’s ‘When You Believe’ had an excellent plot that moved at quite a fast pace - It’s a story about a teacher Lydia Porter, who for professional reasons has kept her engagement to a fellow teacher, Charlie Stains, a secret. Right in the beginning of the book, a student confides in her, that Staines has sexually molested her. The book follows Porter’s subsequent conflict about doing “the right thing” and what exactly that entails.

‘The Penny’ by Joyce Meyer & Deborah Bedford - sees Meyer (author of over 70 Christian non fiction books) foray into Christian fiction. The protagonist of the book is a sexually abused African American girl living in the racially charged mid-1950s America - and how a simple chance action (of her stoping to pick up a penny dropped on a sidewalk) set a whole new set of things in motion. The book is well written & the plot well developed. Definitely worth reading.

Any Minute by Joyce Meyer & Deborah Bedford - The plot had the potential to be a good read - a story of a workaholic woman’s near-death experience, which brings her to appreciate the actual good things of life. It is a tad slow in the first half  (I found myself wishing the protagonist had her near-death experience already & was done with it!) though it picks up pace a little afterwards. Not as good as the first two books reviewed here - but could be gift option to a workaholic family member or colleague, otherwise worth the miss.

Do join us in saying just a one line prayer, every day of the month. Each prayer backed with a special line from the Bible. We KNOW that prayer changes things, do join us in making a positive change in the world we live in!

Day/Date Interceding According to the Mind of Christ

Sun
1/8/2010 Psalm 110:4 The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedek.’
This month we focus our prayer on two key themes – for our priests and for true freedom that the Holy Spirit gives us. This week we pray for our priests. Today we pray that our priests constantly reflect upon the indelible character of the sacrament of Holy Orders, which cannot be repeated or conferred temporarily (CCC#1582). We pray that each priest truly lives in this blessed knowledge and assurance

Mon
2/8/2010 Rev 2:4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first
We lift up priests from our Archdiocese and across the world; that God would give them grace to seek Him above everything and to come back to their first love - that they would be filled with compassion be other Christs to the flock, filled with a gentleness and meekness to encourage the weak and the wayward back to Christ and filled with a revelation and trust that Christ is with them to the end of the age

Tue
3/8/2010 Jer 3:15 And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding
As we lift up our priests to the Lord, let us pray that He fills them with the spirit of knowledge and understanding to be true shepherds to the flock, living out their lives with a spirit of self sacrifice, penance and prayer - feeding the faithful with the Bread of Life and the Word of God, binding the wounds of the hurting and encouraging the flock to walk in holiness and a close relationship with Christ

Wed
4/8/2010 Matt 9:38 Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest
Feast of St. John Mary Vianney; through his intercession let us pray for vocations in our Archdiocese and for holy priests, as we address the Father in prayer through Jesus His Son - My Dear Jesus, you desire that we pray the Lord of the harvest that He send zealous laborers into His harvest. Deign to raise up in your Church, and especially in this diocese, numerous and holy priests who, taking your Divine Heart as their Model, will, in the exercise of their holy priesthood, promote the glory of your heavenly Father and the salvation of those souls whom you have redeemed with your Precious Blood. Give us truly holy priests who, inflamed with the fire of your Divine love, seek nothing but your greater glory and the salvation of souls. O Mary, Queen of the clergy, pray for us; obtain for us a number of holy priests

Thu
5/8/2010 1 Sam 3:10 And the Lord came and stood forth, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, Speak, for thy servant hears
Pray for a spirit of holiness and self denial for our diocesan seminarians who have joined the Seminary this year, namely; Joel Fernandes, Leander Gonsalves, Rosario Fernandes, Mattew Joseph, Jean Justine, Charles D’Cruz, Savio Lobo, Sanjay Fereira, Cajetan Rodrigues. Pray that they are filled with a spirit of wisdom, knowledge and understanding, so that they would build their ministry on Christ the Rock

Fri
6/8/2010 Matt 17:2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light
A day of fast and prayer for our priests and especially our Cardinal Oswald Gracias. May the Lord continually strengthen and empower him with His Spirit. May his motto “To reconcile all things in Christ” inspire all our priests in our Archdiocese to lives of service, justice, reconciliation and bridge-building through the intercession of Mary. On the Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord, we pray that each person in our Archdiocese truly strives to be transformed into another Christ, so as to witness to this city by our love and our lives.

Sat
7/8/2010 Matt 18:18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven
“We now ask, why the drop in Confession? Hearing confessions place a heavy demand on the generosity of a priest. To tell not just one sin, but all of them and, if they are grave, with all their attending circumstances, this takes time. And on the part of the priest it takes a lot of patience. The priest must be convinced that it is worth the effort”, writes Fr John Hardon SJ. Pray for our priests- for grace to preach the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, to freely give their time at the confessional and the grace to frequent the sacrament himself

Sun
8/8/2010 Heb 7:26 For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens
Vianney Sunday – We offer today’s Eucharist to thank God for our priests. Let us find some way to show them our appreciation. Through the intercession of Mary and St John Vianney, we pray that Jesus, the Eternal High Priest, always leads, blesses and keeps them in His care

Mon
9/8/2010 2 Cor 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom
This week we pray for freedom. Freedom that only the Risen Christ can give, who broke the chains of sin and death. For too long we have allowed ourselves to live in bondage – in our relationships with God, others and ourselves. Today we pray for freedom for ourselves. For those of us bound in habitual sin – lust of the flesh, lust of the eye and the pride of life, that the Holy Spirit will set us truly free

Tue
10/8/2010 John 8:36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed
We pray for freedom in our relationships with others. Pray fervently that we may love as He loves; and that we may forgive as He forgives

Wed
11/8/2010 John 4:24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth
Today we pray for freedom in our relationship with God. Often our prayer lives have become merely routine or ritualistic or even non-existent because we are filled with the anxieties and pressures of daily lives. Today, through the intercession of St. Clare, Co-foundress of the Order of Poor Ladies, whose feast we celebrate, we pray for a renewed fire of the Holy Spirit to stir up our hearts to true worship

Thu
12/8/2010 Gal 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery
We pray for those who have been delivered and set-free from the clutches of sin and satan, that they may be strengthen by the Spirit and may receive the grace to be faithful to their new life in Christ. May the Lord use us to build one another up in service and fellowship

Fri
13/8/2010 Phil 3:16 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
A day of fast and prayer for Bishop Bosco Penha. May God empower him with strength to carry out the various functions entrusted to him. May every obstacle that comes his way be removed in the power of the Risen Christ, so that there is smooth functioning in the zone as well as the various portfolios under his pastoral care.

Sat
14/8/2010 Gal 5:13 You were called to freedom; do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence but through love become slaves to one another
We pray for a true spirit of servanthood and discipleship among each one of us, that we may count the other better than ourselves and actively seek to be at the service of the other, however painful it may be at times. It is hard – but the Spirit helps us in our weakness. Through the intercession of St. Maximilian Kolbe, whose feast we celebrate today and who gives us a wonderful example of Christ-like selfless love, we also pray that God may grant our priests a spirit of self denial and fortitude to grow in holiness

Sun
15/8/2010 John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me
As we celebrate Independence Day, we remember with gratitude to God, the freedom won by people who sacrificed much, some at the cost of laying down their lives. We pray very specially through the intercession of Mary, on the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that God would grant the peoples of our nation a revelation of knowing who Jesus truly is - the Way, the Truth and the Life

Mon
16/8/2010 Ps 40:11 Do not thou, O Lord, withhold thy mercy from me, let thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness ever preserve me
We lift up our priests who are sick and ailing, especially those in the Clergy Home, that God would bless them with His comforting presence and healing touch, that even in their loneliness and pain, they would have grace to partake in the liberating suffering of Jesus

Tue
17/8/2010 John 15:8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples
We lift up the initiatives which are focused on bringing the Good News to the peoples; we pray for the members of the Proclamation Cell, the Apologetics Cell, the Inner Healing team and Joyful Noise – that they be fruitful and the blood of Jesus protect them and their families

Wed
18/8/2010 John 3:20 For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed
We pray that all our church properties and Catholic Housing Societies in our Archdiocese be governed with integrity for the common good of the community and that the Lord would protect them from falling into the hands of unscrupulous brokers/builders. Also pray that God would expose the nefarious activities between the builders lobby and politicians in our city. May God give wisdom to our politicians to plan our city so that the infrastructure is not overburdened and that open spaces are spared for recreation and sports

Thu
19/8/2010 John 15:7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you
We pray for Christian marriages and homes across our Archdiocese, that Christ be the center of the home and that time is devoted daily to family prayer and sharing of the Word. May our homes truly be the domestic Church and may fruit be borne in us and in our children

Fri
20/8/2010 2 Tim 4:2 Preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching
Today we fast and pray for Bishop Percival Fernandez; may the Lord empower him with wisdom and discernment that all he does bears much fruit in his Zone and in the various portfolios he holds. Through the intercession of St. Bernard, Abbot and Doctor whose feast we celebrate today, we pray that God would grant our shepherds special grace to discern, expose and remove all erroneous teachings like he exposed in his time and bring the lay faithful to the beauty of knowing Christ personally and following Him wholeheartedly

Sat
21/8/2010 John 15:16 You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last
On this day, the Feast of St. Pius X, we pray for all seminarians and those preparing for religious life; through his intercession we pray that the years our seminarians spent studying philosophy and theology would only lead them to appreciate Christ more deeply as the only Lord and Saviour and that they receive a new revelation of growing in faith and understanding of His love for them as they study His Word.

Sun
22/8/2010 Rev 2:10b Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life
Feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary; we pray that the Lord would grant each of us the grace to be conquerors and overcomers in every situation, ready to stand steadfast in faith, to endure suffering for the gospel and to fulfill the role the Lord has given

Mon
23/8/2010 Rom 8:18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us
This week we pray for the suffering Christians/Churches in the Middle East; they trace their roots back to the first Apostles, but over the years the local Christian community has shrunk, and even disappeared in some areas. Pray for freedom to worship and build churches, for protection of the churches, homes and lives of the Christians in the region, for perseverance for the churches to witness for Christ even in difficult circumstances and for their non-Christian neighbours to have a better understanding of what Christianity is and to be led to Christ

Tue
24/8/2010 Ps 31:5 Into thy hand I commit my spirit; thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God
We read about Catholic bishops murdered in Iraq and Turkey, machete-armed fanatics attacking Egyptian Copt worshipers, churches torched in Hamas-controlled Gaza. Let us intensify our intercession as we pray for God’s intervention in these places that in the midst of the darkness the Light of Christ would shine and bring conviction and repentance to these perpetrators of violence to Jesus and His flock

Wed
25/8/2010 Ps 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they prosper who love you
We pray for peace in Jerusalem. For everyone involved; we pray, for governments and peoples, Jews and Palestinians, we ask for your kingdom to come and rule over the land. Protect the soldiers and civilians from bloodshed. May your truth and light shine in the darkness. Where there is only hatred, may your love prevail. Bring your salvation to Israel, I make this prayer Father God in Jesus’ Name, Amen

Thu
26/8/2010 John 8:32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free
Pray for Christians in Saudi Arabia that they would be protected from harm and from being deported. Pray that the Christian message would be heard and received by all. Pray for expatriate Christian workers who are currently in prison for holding worship services there

Fri
27/8/2010 Ps 6:9 The Lord has heard my supplication; the Lord accepts my prayer
Let us fast and prayer for Bishop Agnelo Gracias, that Christ’s presence would always be in all he does in his Zone and across his various portfolios and initiatives. Feast of St. Monica, we pray through her intercession, that the Lord constantly guides and sustains him. We also lift up Frs. Anthony Fernandes & Walter D’souza, Director/Assistant Director – Youth & Vocations, and every priest involved with the youth apostolate, that God would bless them with special grace to challenge our youth to embrace the values of the Gospel. Keep in prayer the pilgrimage to the Holy Land – October 17th to 28th organized by Fr. Byron Mendoca for God’s favour to rest on all the preparations

Sat
28/8/2010 2 Tim 2:21a If any one purifies himself from what is ignoble, then he will be a vessel for noble use
Feast of St Augustine, Bishop and Doctor; through his intercession we pray for all the youth in our Archdiocese. May the Holy Spirit help them in their relationships, studies and careers. We especially pray and ask God to bring our wayward youth in the Diocese back to Him. World Youth Day 2011, August 15-21, in Madrid, Spain - The Pope described it as ‘not just a mass gathering but a privileged occasion’ for the young people of the world ‘to be conquered by the love of Christ Jesus, the Son of God and of Mary, the faithful friend, the victor over sin and death’. Pray that youth attending this event would come back with a deep experience of the power and love of the risen Lord

Sun
29/8/2010 Ps 2:8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession
A call to pray for our city and our nation that the Lord will defend those who are witnessing to others about the person of Jesus Christ and bringing the Good News to the broken hearted. May the proclamation effort at Mount Mary’s Basilica in Bandra bear abundant fruit

Mon
30/8/2010 Heb 4:14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession
Lebanon’s once politically powerful Christian community has already shrunken almost beyond recognition. Thirty years ago, Lebanon was 60% Christian; today it is barely 25%. The growing political power of Iran-backed Hezbollah is encouraging further departures. Pray for our brother/sister Christians in Lebanon for wisdom in this difficult situation and grace to withstand the onslaught of the enemy

Tue
31/8/2010 2 Tim 2:9 The gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered
We pray for our persecuted missionary priests and religious all over the world, and especially in our country, that truly they may be empowered by the Holy Spirit to proclaim with boldness the Gospel, not fearing those who ‘can kill the body, but cannot kill the soul’

Holy Father’s Intentions for the Month (Pray for these intentions daily)
General Intention: That those who are without work or homes or who are otherwise in serious need may find understanding and welcome, as well as concrete help in overcoming their difficulties. Missionary Intention: That the Church may be a ‘home’ for all people, ready to open its doors to any who are suffering from racial or religious discrimination, hunger, or wars forcing them to emigrate to other countries.

—
This ‘Intercession Diary’ has the approval and blessings of the Bishops’ Team of the Archdiocese and contains intentions of the Cardinal and Bishops of Mumbai. Vetted by Fr Byron Mendonca, Assistant Parish Priest, Mt Carmel Church, Mumbai, India. All scripture passages are taken from Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition. Please contact Royston@Glorify-God.com for any feedback.

What a strange greeting this may sound to most. We are used to be wished many things, but ‘Happy Freedom’ may clearly not be one of them. Well, today and this month of India’s independence, and for ever, I wish you (and myself) this.

“For freedom, Christ has set us free” (Gal 5:1). What a curious line. But in it, I believe, is hidden the mystery of God’s love, human suffering, human destiny, the incarnation of the second person of the Most Holy Trinity and much else. How easy it would be for the Great Creator to make us mere puppets or robots. So that we could be ‘programmed’ to “know Him, to love Him and to serve Him”. But there in lies the foolishness (1 Cor 1:25) and the wisdom of God.

“God willed that man should be left in the hand of his own counsel (Sirach 15:14), so that he might of his own accord seek his creator and freely attain his full and blessed perfection by cleaving to him” (Gaudium et Spes 17 § 1; CCC# 1730 and 1743).

This month, as we remember, with gratitude to the Lord, and celebrate our nation’s freedom, we bring to mind our own freedom, won for us by our Lord Jesus Christ. Our intercession this month, thus focuses on raising our hearts and minds to God, that He may safeguard us in His Word which “will set us free” (John 8:32).

We pray for freedom in our relationship with God, others and self. For too long we are held in bondage by our sins, our past, fears, by the evil in and around us. We pray for the grace of the Holy Spirit in whose presence “there is freedom” (2 Cor 3:17).

This month, as we celebrate Vianney Sunday, we pray for our priests and, in a special way, we fast and pray for our Bishops in our Archdiocese of Bombay. We pray that our priests constantly be assured and empowered by the Holy Spirit that “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedek.’” (Psalm 110:4). May our priests constantly reflect upon the indelible character of the sacrament of Holy Orders (CCC#1582). We pray that the ‘ministerial priesthood’ truly be at the service of the people (‘baptismal priesthood’) through “the grace of the Holy Spirit proper to this sacrament (which) is configuration to Christ as Priest, Teacher, and Pastor”. (CCC 1585)

May our Blessed Mother, whose Assumption into Heaven we celebrate this month, pray for us her children, that we may be transformed (and ‘transfigured’) into ‘other Christs’. We make the opening prayer of the Roman Missal, 32nd Sunday, our own,
Almighty and merciful God,
in your goodness take away from us all that is harmful,
so that, made ready both in mind and body,
we may freely accomplish your will.

This book is especially good for everyone who complains about the lack of time – reading a “chapter” should take you a few minutes.

Yet even in those few minutes, you will get handfuls of encouragement, edification and ample good advice – everything Pastor Joel Osteen has become synonymous with.

I was especially happy with the book for two reasons:

The first was that it’s easily available in India – Hachette India sells the same for Rs. 525/- I had earlier bought Osteen’s other book ‘Become a Better You’ at three times the price off the internet (of course, that was the entire book and a hard cover as compared to this book’s soft cover).

The second is because its reading’s size makes it a good gift option for most people: I gifted it to my mother who loves it so much that she’s bought copies to gift too. And it’s always a great feeling when you gift someone a book & they love it!

You’d probably even be very early, just so that you could get a good place if possible & to make sure the security checks didn’t make you run behind time. All this to meet with a human being.

And when we’re given the Amazing, Miraculous, Divine honor & opportunity to meet with & receive Jesus in the most Holy Sacrament of Mass, what do we do?

Often times we do it on automatic, routinely, just doing what we have to do to complete an obligation. I’ve been late to Mass one time too many. If I say I love the Lord and if I truly believe He’s really present during Mass, then how can I be late, no matter what the human justification?

To combat this area, I now pick out my clothes the night before (helps especially since I go for an early Mass on Sunday). I also aim to reach church a whole 15 minutes before Mass starts - that way even if I get 5 to 10 minutes before Mass starts, it helps me settle in & pray before, rather than run in all huffing & puffing just in time or miss anything because I’m late.

What distracts you during Mass?

(02) Paid more attention to the Punctuation & Pronunciation of the Reader than the Reading: I fancy myself a good orator. And so, many times when the lector (churcy term for the person who reads the readings during Mass) makes a mistake in pronunciation or the like, instead of letting it go & concentrating on what the Lord is saying to me, I have laughed in my head. Or wondered how “these people” can go to read.

This shameful pride of mine is just the door Satan needs to enter into me and steal away the precious gifts the Lord intends to give to me during the Reading of His most Holy Word during Mass.

To combat this area, I consciously ask the Lord to remove all pride from me & if my focus does shift off the reading to the reader, I ask the Lord for pardon & consciously try to focus on the reading again.

(03) Post Communion Fashion Parade: Am quiet ashamed to say I ever did this, but yet it is true. There was a time that after communion, I’d settle down & quite happily look at whatever everyone else receiving communion & walking down the aisle - or the fashion ramp in my head - was wearing. Worse still, I’d judge them: “too skimpy for church / what, no time to get out of tracks? / too fat to be wearing that!”

Yes, I know. I was horrible.

Mercifully the Lord pardons all sinners who’re truly repentant - which means those who are not only sorry but also make a concerted effort to not repeat the sin.

And to this extent, I now sit on the first pew & pretty much kneel & close my eyes until well after communion is over.

As an added benefit of doing this, I’m able to concentrate on praying after communion better and the whole experience of receiving the real Presence of our Lord is now a valued one.

Have noted only three mistakes, but there are so many other things we are all sometimes guilty of:

• Being distracted by the Choir / Cantor / Musicians (for no fault of theirs)
• Being judgmental about the Priest celebrating / giving Holy communion
• Being distracted by other people in Mass (again for no fault of theirs)
• Not actually praying the prayers, but only saying them automatically like a machine
• Rushing off before the last hymn is sung!
• Fussing about with children during Mass - good tip: sit near the exits so that in event of an emergency / crying baby, you can leave without a big to-do!
• Keeping Cell phones on during Mass!
• Talking to person near by during Mass
• Fussing about with hair / adjusting clothes too much

Remember Holy Mass is a Community form of prayer - if we fail to do our part, besides not receiving all the great things in store for us as Mass, we’re also letting down the whole community.