US Catholic magazine sent out this prayer by Pope Francis as a Morning Prayer this week, but it also sounds like an excellent Thanksgiving Day prayer for antipho-
nal recitation (each of us taking one stanza at the dining room table).
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit we pray–
All powerful God,
you are present in the universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with your peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned
and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty,
not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle,
for justice, love and peace.
Amen.
FROM ENCYCLICAL LETTER LAUDATO SI’ ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME (2015)
“LAUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore” – “Praise be to you, my Lord”. In the words of this beautiful canticle, Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. “Praise be to you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with coloured flowers and herbs”. JJR