August 4
saint john vianney
Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.
prayer
O God, we honor Saint John Vianney as the patron of parish priests. Through his intercession we pray for all those called to priesthood. May they be generous in their response and know the joy of serving you through their ministry to your people. We ask this through Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Amen.
august 6
the transfiguaration
While Jesus was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white.
prayer
Jesus, through your transfiguration, you taught Peter, James and John the meaning of contemplation and action. Through our reflection on this mystery, may we renew our resolve to seek balance in our lives. May our times of prayer give us the grace, strength and animation we need for our ministry; may our experiences in ministry draw us back to you in prayer. We ask this in faith. Amen.
august 6
our lady of copacabana
Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.
prayer O God, the Aymara people claim Our Lady of Copacabana as their patron. May she who bore your Son to the world continue to show them your protection and loving kindness. May they know your blessings in their lives. We ask this through Mary’s intercession. Amen.
august 7
saint cayetano
All look to you for food when they hunger; you provide it and they feed. You open your hand and they feast.
prayer
Provident God, the people of Argentina honor Saint Cayetano as the patron saint of bread and labor. Through his intercession we ask you to watch over your people. Feed the hungry, and give to all who seek work the dignity of employment commensurate with their skills. These needs fulfilled, may justice and peace reign. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
august 11
saint clare
Always be lovers of your souls and those of all your sisters.
prayer
Gracious God, on this day we celebrate the feast of Clare, the first Franciscan woman, and we pray for the grace to follow the path of your gospel with fidelity and integrity. As we honor her, we ask your blessing on all who follow the Franciscan way of life. May they be faithful to the evangelical calling exemplified for them by Clare and Francis. We ask this through their intercession. Amen.
august 14
saint maximilian mary kolbe
By dedicating ourselves to Mary we become in her hands instruments of God’s mercy, even as she was such an instrument in God’s hands.
prayer
O God, while captive at Auschwitz, Maximilian offered up his life in place of another prisoner. May his selflessness inspire us each day to be more generous and loving. May we find in each human encounter the opportunity to demonstrate our love for you. We ask this through Mary Immaculate, to whom Maximilian was particularly dedicated. Amen.
august 15
the assumption
Use the Common for the Feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary I or II with this proper.
A great portent appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
prayer
Gracious God, you honored Mary, the mother of Jesus, by translating her, body and soul, into heaven. May we who strive to imitate her life of faithful discipleship be comforted by her assumption and its promise of eternal life with you. She believed that the promises made to her would be fulfilled. We, who join her in this confidence, trust that you will hear and answer our prayer. Amen.
august 18
blessed alberto hurtado
Come, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was a stranger and you welcomed me.
prayer
Benevolent God, Blessed Alberto spent his life ministering to the street children and the homeless people of Chile and became known as the apostle of your love for the poor. As we celebrate his feast, we pray for all those who serve you in the housing ministry. Through their efforts may all your people find a place of welcome where they can be at home. We ask this through Jesus, who dwelt among us. Amen.
August 23
saint rose of lima
Give her a share in the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the city gates.
prayer
Rose of Lima offered her life to you, Jesus, as a sacrifice for the suffering poor. May we whom you have graciously permitted to minister to those who are poor in our day have our hearts animated with gratitude and love. May we place all our confidence in you and endeavor to imitate you more perfectly each day. We ask this, as a community called to service. Amen.
august 24
saint bartholomew
Jesus appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message.
prayer
Jesus, you called Bartholomew to be among the first to proclaim your message and establish your church. As we celebrate his feast we pray for their successors – the pope, the bishops and the leaders of faith communities. May all be faithful to your gospel, loving in their leadership and courageous in proclaiming the good news. Amen.
august 25
saint joseph calasanz
Tend the flock of God that is in your charge as God would have you do it.
prayer
O God, Saint Joseph dedicated himself to the education of poor boys. As we celebrate his feast, we pray for those called to the ministry of education. May they animate their zeal and fervor by the example of Jesus who testified on all occasions a tender love for those who are poor and declared that he would consider as done for himself whatever was done for them. We ask this through Joseph’s intercession. Amen.
august 27
saint monica
Her children rise up and call her happy.
prayer
Gentle Jesus, through the intercession of Saint Monica we pray for all mothers who suffer anguish for their children. Give them Monica’s faith, perseverance and trust in the power of prayer. Bless them with the grace to be a steady, loving presence in the lives of their children. We ask this through the intercession of your own sorrowful mother. Amen.
august 28
saint augustine
The life of a Christian is in fact an exercise of holy desire.
prayer
O God, you gave Augustine the grace to turn from a life of sin and to seek you as his only good. Through his sermons and writings he taught the people given to his care and refuted the heresies of his day. Inspired by his example, may we experience the gift of our intellect as a way of knowing you and plumbing your mysteries. Lead our faith to understanding. We ask this through Jesus, your Word. Amen.
Last Sunday of August
day of prayer for the
native peoples
of the americas
There was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples, standing before the Lamb.
prayer
God of all nations, we pray today for indigenous peoples. We ask your forgiveness for the mistreatment and exploitation they have experienced at our hands. Lead us now to policies which will restore their right to live on their ancestral lands in peace and dignity. Help us to seek their ancient wisdom and appreciate the gift of their culture to our human experience. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen