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JANUARY 2008
General:
That the Church may strengthen her commitment to full visible unity in order
to manifest ever more clearly her nature as a community of love in which is
reflected the communion of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Mission:
That the Church in Africa, preparing to celebrate the second Special
Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Africa, may continue to be a sign and
channel of reconciliation and justice in a continent still suffering from
war, exploitation and poverty.
FEBRUARY
2008
General:
That the mentally handicapped may not be marginalized but respected and
lovingly helped to live in a way worthy of their physical and social
condition.
Mission:
That Institutes of Consecrated Life, so flourishing in mission countries,
may rediscover the missionary dimension and, faithful to the radical choice
of Gospel counsels, be generous in bearing witness to Christ and proclaiming
Him to the ends of the earth.
MARCH
2008
General:
That the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation between individuals
and peoples may be understood and that through her testimony the Church may
spread Christ’s love, the source of new humanity.
Mission:
That Christians persecuted because of the Gospel in various parts of the
world and in various manners may be sustained by the strength of the Holy
Spirit and continue to bear witness courageously and openly to the Word of
God.
APRIL 2008
General:
That even in difficult and complex situations of present-day society,
Christians may never tire of proclaiming with their lives Christ’s
resurrection, the source of hope and peace.
Mission:
That future priests in young Churches may be ever more seriously formed
culturally and spiritually in order to evangelize their respective countries
and the whole world.
MAY 2008
General:
That Christians may use literature, art and the media to greater advantage
to favour a culture which defends and promotes the values of the human
person
Mission:
That just as she accompanied the Apostles in the early stages of the Church,
may the Blessed Virgin Mary, Star of Evangelization and Queen of Apostles,
continue to guide missionaries throughout the world with maternal affection.
JUNE 2008
General:
That Christians may cultivate a deep and personal friendship with Christ so
they are able to communicate the strength of His love to those they
encounter
Mission:
That the International Eucharistic Congress in Quebec, Canada, may lead to
ever deeper understanding of the Eucharist, the heart of the Church and
source of evangelization.
JULY 2008
General:
That there may be an increase in the number of those who volunteer to serve
the Christian community with generous and prompt availability
Mission:
That World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia, may kindle the fire of divine
love in numerous young people and render them sowers of hope for a new
humanity
AUGUST 2008
General:
That the human family may learn to respect God’s plan for the world and
become ever more aware that Creation is God’s great gift.
Mission:
That the answer of the entire people of God to the common calling to
holiness and mission may be promoted and fostered by means of careful
discernment of charisms and constant commitment to spiritual and cultural
formation
SEPTEMBER
2008
General:
That those who are forced to leave home and country because of war or
oppressive regimes may be supported by Christians in the defense and
protection of their rights.
Mission:
That faithful to the sacrament of matrimony every Christian family may
cultivate the values of love and communion in order to be a small
evangelizing community, sensitive and open to the material and spiritual
needs of others
OCTOBER 2008
General:
That the Synod of Bishops may help bishops and theologians as well as
catechists and pastoral workers engaged in the service of the Word of God
transmit with courage the truth of the faith in communion with the entire
Church.
Mission:
That in this month dedicated to the missions, through the promotional
activities of the Pontifical Missionary Works and other organisms, the
Christian may feel the need to participate in the Church’s universal mission
with prayer, sacrifice and concrete help.
NOVEMBER
2008
General:
That the testimony of love offered by the Saints, may fortify Christians in
their service to God and neighbour, imitating Christ who came not to be
served but to serve.
Mission:
That Christian communities in Asia, contemplating the face of Christ, may
find the most suitable way to announce Him in full fidelity to the Gospel to
the peoples of that vast continent so rich in culture and ancient forms of
spirituality.
DECEMBER
2008
General:
That in the face of a spreading of a culture of violence and death the Church through
her apostolic and missionary activity may promote with courage the culture
of life.
Mission:
That especially in mission countries Christians may show with acts of
fraternal love that the Child born in the stable at Bethlehem is the
luminous Hope of the world..
... From the Vatican
2009
Intentions
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