As part of the preparations for the 400th anniversary of their founding by Vincent the AIC offers this prayer service, which asks St. Louise to intercede on behalf of every AIC volunteer throughout the world in their service with the poor.
Opening and closing of the prayer service…
Opening Prayer: Lord, our God, we ask that through the intercession of Saint Louise de Marillac you will bestow upon the more than 150,000 AIC volunteers, spread over four continents, the fervent desire to serve you in the person of those who are the poorest and most abandoned. May these volunteers minister with the same devotion and love as Louise did. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
….
ALL: Help us, Saint Louise, to continue in our service, to live our charism with enthusiasm so that we might enchant the people who surround us and attract more volunteers who, following your example and that of Saint Vincent, discover the image of the suffering Christ in those men and women who are poor. Be our refuge and our strength that enables us to bring the Word of God to all those who have not yet had the opportunity to hear it. Fill the hearts of all people with the joy of being
alive, a joy that only you, our God, can give.
Full prayer service from the site of teh Ladies of Charity USA.
Tags: AIC, AIC400, LCUSA, Louise de Marillac
