Presider: The sign of blessed ashes invites us to respond to the God who calls us to come back to him with all our heart. The penance of Lent has begun. Our prayers enrich the charity and faith of that penance.
- May the Church, enter into the desert in company with Jesus, who overcame the forces of evil and dedicated himself to the will of his Father, we pray.
- May each one of us find that ‘secret place’, where, during this season of Lent, we can be alone with God in prayer and return to the sacrament of absolution, we pray.
- May our fasting and other Lenten penances release us from earthly desires and make us more intent on goodness, justice and mercy, we pray.
- May this season of Lent may we be more sensitive to the sufferings of the world, so that we can work together for a just future for all people, we pray.
- May all who follow Christ be ambassadors of his mercy so that all can experience God’s salvation, we pray.
- For our people to be generous in their contribution to the 2018 Catholic Charities Appeal, and an increase of vocation to the priesthood and religious life, we pray.
- For the sick, especially those who are dying, to realize that God is very near to them, we pray.
- For the dead who have entered a state of purification and mercy, we pray.
Presider: Heavenly Father, have mercy upon us in your kindness and help us to grow in the image of Jesus Christ whom you sent among us as Savior and Redeemer of the world, for he is Lord, forever and ever. Amen.
