World Day of Prayer for Women’s Ordination

Women of Vision and Courage

March 25, 2012

(1) One:  Come, Holy Spirit, breath divine

All: Open us for your presence

(1) One: Refresh and give life to what is exhausted and tired

All: Drive away fear out of our hearts

(1) One: Come, Holy Spirit, Wind Divine

All: Wake up our longing, create new beginning among us

(2) One: God, our mother and father, creator of women in your own image, loving foundation and heart of all beings, we are gathered here before you.  Let us pray for all women around the world so that they may be blessed with:

All:
The strength to persevere,
The courage to speak out,

The vision to seek a renewed ministry,

The faith to believe in you beyond
All systems and institutions,
so that your face on earth may be seen in all its beauty.[i]

(3) One:

We call on the holy and courageous women who went before us, to intercede for us so that we might be given the grace and vision to follow in their footsteps as we work together in solidarity for the ordination of women as priests, deacons, and bishops into an inclusive and accountable Catholic Church.

One (in turns):
Saint Esther, who pleaded against power for the liberation of the people, Pray for us.

Saint Deborah, lawwoman and judge, who led the people of God, Pray for us.

Saint Mary Magdalene, minister of Jesus, apostle to the Apostles, Pray for us.

Saint Clara of Assisi, who confronted the pope with the image of woman as equal, Pray for us.

Saint Julian of Norwich, who proclaimed for all of us, the motherhood of God, Pray for us.

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, who felt God’s call to become priest, prophet, and king, Pray for us.

Saint Catherine of Siena, to whom the pope listened, Pray for us.

Saint Teresa of Avila, who brought women’s gifts to the reform of the church, Pray for us.

Saint Edith Stein, who brought fearlessness to faith, Pray for us.

Saint Dorothy Day, who led the church to a new sense of justice, Pray for us.

Saint Rosa Venerini, whose entire educational mission was to announce the love of God, Pray for us.

Saint Theodore Guérin, who abandoned herself to the will of God in generous service to others, Pray for us. 

Saint Hildegard of Bingen, who sought creativity to express her visions of women’s leadership in our Church, Pray for us.

Mary, mother of Jesus, who heard the call of God and answered, Mary, mother of Jesus, who drew strength from the woman Elizabeth, Mary, mother of Jesus, filled with God’s Spirit, Pray for us.  Amen.[ii]

(4) One:

Today to especially honor those women whose gifts are best suited to serve your Church as ordained deacons and priests we gather with our sisters and brothers from around the world, seeking justice and an end to discrimination.

Loving God, empower these women with courage as they answer your call and strengthen them for humble service, great compassion, and insightful wisdom. Support them through their ministries and enlighten the leadership of your Church to practice the equality that Jesus modeled to embrace all women and men whom you have gifted for sacramental service.

(5) One:

Strengthen your Holy Spirit within those you have chosen for ordained ministry. May they answer your call and follow you with generous hearts, knowing they are supported in the arms and hearts of those who believe in the justice of your work. May they find hope in the prophetic work of those who speak from conscience.

(All: Feel free to speak your intentions here)

(6) One:

We ask this in the name of Jesus, who called Mary Magdalene and Phoebe - as well as Peter and Paul - to be ministers in the early Christian communities.  

All: Amen.

All: 

May the fire of God’s love warm our hearts. May the courageous and visionary women whose shoulders we stand, on continue to inspire us in our work.

May God grant our prayers for justice and equality in our church and world.  May the love of Christ fill us and radiate through us forever. Amen.[iii]

One (7): Let us go in the peace of Christ.  Let our service for justice and equality continue.   

All:   Thanks be to God.