“With one mind they devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” (Acts 1:14)
The occasion of the appointment and ordination of Mgr. Ger Nash as the next bishop of Ferns give us an opportunity as a diocesan family to pray for our diocese.
Each of the nine days will focus on and pray for a particular group in our diocese. We will also remember and pray for our bishop elect and unite with him in prayer as he prepares in these final days for his ordination.
Above is new bishop’s emblem and motto, which translates, “In the Peace and Companionship of Jesus”. In these days of prayer, we ask God to grant that our new bishop will, with all the diocesan family, live in the peace and companionship of Jesus.
God, eternal shepherd, with a spirit of knowledge and love,
you tend your Church in many ways and rule us with love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care,
You have chosen your servant Ger to be shepherd of your flock in the Diocese of Ferns. May he build your Church as a sign of salvation for the world. Give him a spirit of courage and right judgment. We ask this prayer, through Christ, our Lord. Amen
Day 1 – For the Diocese of Ferns (Friday 27th August 2021)
Prayer
Eternal God, Shepherd and Guide, bless our diocese of Ferns. Keep us mindful of your command to love one another. May we live as a community of faith and bear witness to your love and grace in this world. We ask this prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen
Prayer for our Bishop-Elect
Our Lady, Queen of Heaven, pray for us
St. Aidan, pray for us
Day 2 – Lay Ministers in the Diocese (Saturday 28th August 2021)
Prayer
Eternal God, Shepherd and Guide, bless all who minister in the parishes, towns and villages in the diocese. Strengthen their Christian vocation, which is the universal call to holiness, and inspire their endeavours to build up the kingdom of God. We ask this prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen
Prayer for our Bishop-Elect
Our Lady, Queen of Heaven, pray for us
St. Aidan, pray for us
Day 3 – Priests of the Diocese (Sunday 29th August 2021)
Prayer
Eternal God, Shepherd and Guide, bless the priests who minister in our diocese. Keep them faithful to their priestly vocation and resolute in the ministry to which you have called them. When they are discouraged, give them hope and pour out your Spirit upon their efforts to build up the Kingdom of God in every place where they minister. We ask this prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen
Prayer for our Bishop-Elect
Our Lady, Queen of Heaven, pray for us
St. Aidan, pray for us
Day 4 – Religious of the Diocese (Monday 30th August 2021)
Prayer
Eternal God, Shepherd and Guide, bless the religious men and women of the diocese. May they always reveal the love of Christ to those they encounter and continue to enrich our diocese by their dedicated lives of prayer. We ask this prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen
Prayer for our Bishop-Elect
Our Lady, Queen of Heaven, pray for us
St. Aidan, pray for us
Day 5 – For Families in the Diocese (Tuesday 31st August 2021)
Prayer
Eternal God, Shepherd and Guide, bless the families in our diocese. Help them in their efforts to be a support to one another, patient and kind, gentle and generous. Keep them safe in your love and always grateful for the gift of life that they share. We ask this prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen
Prayer for our Bishop-Elect
Our Lady, Queen of Heaven, pray for us
St. Aidan, pray for us
Day 6 – Young People in the Diocese (Wednesday 1st September 2021)
Prayer
Eternal God, Shepherd and Guide, bless the young people of our diocese. May they come to realise that they are the future of our diocese. Surround them with those who will guide them in life and help them to discern their future. May they be helped to fulfil the promises made for them at baptism. We ask this prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen
Prayer for our Bishop-Elect
Our Lady, Queen of Heaven, pray for us
St. Aidan, pray for us
Day 7 – Vocations (Thursday 2nd September 2021)
Prayer (Diocesan Prayer for Vocations)
God our Father, we trust in your loving kindness. Bless our Diocese of Ferns with many priestly and religious vocations. Give the men and women you call the light to understand your gift and the love to follow always in the footsteps of your Son. We ask this prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen
Prayer for our Bishop-Elect
Our Lady, Queen of Heaven, pray for us
St. Aidan, pray for us
Day 8 – For all in our diocese who are Sick or in Need (Friday 3rd September 2021)
Prayer
Eternal God, Shepherd and Guide, we pray for any who are in need at this time and ask that you bring healing to all are still suffering this global pandemic. Through the command to love our neighbour as ourselves, may we minister to all who suffer and are burdened down by life. May we search for them and find them, show them compassion, and come to love them. We ask this prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen
Prayer for our Bishop-Elect
Our Lady, Queen of Heaven, pray for us
St. Aidan, pray for us
Day 9 – For our Bishop- Elect, Ger (Saturday 4th September 2021)
Prayer for our Bishop-Elect
God, eternal shepherd, you tend your Church in many ways and rule us with love. You have chosen your servant, Ger to be shepherd of your flock in the Diocese of Ferns. Give him a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he build your Church as a sign of salvation for the world. We ask this prayer, through Christ, our Lord. Amen
Our Lady, Queen of Heaven, pray for us
St. Aidan, pray for us
