The following report was posted on www.ozanet.org recently and may be interest to anyone wishing to pray together as a Vincentian Family.”MY DEAR BROTHERS & SISTERS OF YOUTH GROUPS IN AMERICA
St. Benedict said PRAYER AND WORK. Prayer & Work is the formula. Since we offer our work to the Lord, it would be good that we pray together as Mother Teresa would say: “THE FAMILY THAT PRAYS TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER”.
And so I extend to you an invitation. Since we need prayer for everything and the family that prays together stays together, we need to pray together. But how can we young people do this in such a way that we feel we belong to an international society and not have the expense involved in traveling in order to be together?
And so we are instituting what is called “International Days of Prayer”, an idea that was mentioned in Rome to the American Representatives and which consists of three days of prayer a year at a set time.
For example: 7:00 pm in Argentina is 4:00 pm in Mexico and Nicaragua, 5:00 pm in Panama and 6:00 pm in Chile. At this hour, the members of the youth groups of each country come together to pray a rosary or to sing and meditate together in their own group. If some members cannot attend the gathering, they can pray at home. This would be done for specific intentions and the intentions that each group might add.
For example: On April 12th, the Vincentian Youth of the Americas would pray for an increase of Vincentian Youth Vocations. At the exact same hour, members in Chile and Canada, Brazil & Panama would be praying. It is beautiful to know that all are praying at the same time.
It is easier to do this in the Americas where the difference in time zones is not as great as it is in Japan. Since 3:00 pm in Argentina would be 3 am in Japan, it would be difficult to get everyone together. Therefore, we invite all Vincentians who so desire to arrange a time schedule for your country and come together in this family prayer.
Saturday, May 19th:
That we be more docil to the Holy Spirit in order to bear more fruit and that we be able to live the Vincentian virtues;
For the growth of the society in quality and quantity of members;
For the Pope and his intentions;
for the particular intentions of each conference.
7:00 pm: Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil
6:00 pm: Chile, Caracas, La Paz,
5:00 pm: Lima, Bogota, Panama, Eastern USA & Canada
4:00 pm: Nicaragua, Central America, Mexico, Central USA & Canada
3:00 pm: Arizona, Rocky Montains
Saturday, August 10th:
That we can find ways to promote the dignity of our brothers & sisters in need;
That the Lord accompany each council and conference
For the Pope & his intentions;
For the growth of youth groups in Society;
For the particular intentions of each conference.
The same time schedule as previously mentioned.
Saturday, Novenber 16th:
That the Lord enlighten our leaders;
For the upcoming vincentian get-togethers that the Lord accomplish His work thorugh them;
For the Pope and his intentions;
For the growth of the Society;
For the particular intentions of each conference.
The same time schedule as previously mentioned
As we said before, the hour or even coming together is not an essential requisite since if any member cannot do this, he/she can pray in the house or even do so at a later time.
The prayer would be better, if, for example, there were songs or meditations along with the Rosary or if someone is at Mass at the specified time and can pray at Mass for the intentions. The intentions can change and in the future it would be great to have some ideas about the intentions so that we could pray together and remain united in Christ.
Sebastian Gramajo
Coordinador de juventudes de las Americas
Coordinator of Youth in the Americas
“sebastian gramajo”
Tags: Youth
