HYMNS
HYMNS
Centre of My Life
O Lord, you are the centre of my life:
I will always praise you,
I will always serve you,
I will always keep you in my sight.
Keep me safe, O God, I take refuge in you.
I say to the Lord, "You are my God.
My happiness lies in you alone;
my happiness lies in you alone."
O Lord, you are the centre of my life:
I will always praise you,
I will always serve you,
I will always keep you in my sight.
In Perfect Charity
O most high and glorious God,
cast your light into the darkness of my heart.
Give me right faith, and certain hope,
and perfect, perfect charity.
Give me true insight, Lord, and wisdom,
that I may always live within your ever holy will.
Lord. may your light within me burn,
shining out in perfect charity.
Then most high and thankful praise
I will sing unto the glory of your name;
To Father, Son, and Spirit bright;
Living presence, Perfect Charity;
Praise to the Love that shine in splendour,
that light the pathways of my heart,
and bring me close to you. O Holy One
Invite me in, where you live in perfect charity.
Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring your love.
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord,
And where there's doubt, true faith in you.
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there's despair in life, let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness, only light,
And where there's sadness, ever joy.
Oh, Master, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console.
To be understood as to understand.
To be loved as to love with all my soul.
Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
It is in giving to all men that we receive,
and in dying that we are born to eternal life.
My God and My All
Jesus, my only desire.
Jesus, my only desire.
Jesus, my love; Jesus, my beauty.
Jesus, my God and my all!
Jesus, the hope of my soul.
Jesus, the hope of my soul.
Jesus, my strength; Jesus, my refuge.
Jesus, my God and my all!
Jesus, the mercy of God.
Jesus, the mercy of God.
Jesus, my truth; Jesus, my justice.
Jesus, my God and my all!
Jesus, my lifegiving Lord.
Jesus, my lifegiving Lord.
Jesus, my joy; Jesus, my glory.
Jesus, my God and my all!
Jesus, the wisdom of God.
Jesus, the wisdom of God.
Jesus, my light; Jesus, my vision.
Jesus, my God and my all!
To Christ Our King
To Christ, our King, we sing this hymn,
our grateful hearts we raise
for Anthony, before his throne,
exult in joy and grace.
He followed close the Father’s word,
from him he never turned.
His miracles, a light to all,
to faith the lost recall.
O gentle saint, tell him our needs,
His children too are we;
O ask him now to grant our prayers,
and we at peace shall be.
This grace we beg of God on high,
The Father with the Son;
The Holy Spirit of his love,
Now and forever more.
(STAND)
Presider:
➕ In the name of the Father, ➕ and of the Son ➕and of the Holy Spirit.
All:
Amen.
OPENING PRAYER
Presider:
Heavenly Father, we bless and thank you for the gift of St Anthony who has been a faithful follower of our Lord Jesus Christ. During his earthly life, your Son was so pleased with his life of holiness and love that he deigned to appear to him as the Child Jesus. We pray through St Anthony’s intercession that we too, in our earthly pilgrimage, may come to love Jesus and serve Him better; that one day we may arrive at eternal happiness where with our Beloved Saint, we may give you ceaseless praise and glory. We make this prayer through Christ, our Lord.
Presider:
Let us pray to God our Creator, the source and author of all holiness, who has given salvation in Christ.
All:
Lord, hear our prayer as we honour you in St Anthony.
Presider:
Guide our world leaders to seek the way of peace and assist our brothers and sisters who are oppressed.
All:
Lord, hear our prayer as we honour you in St Anthony.
Presider:
Look with kindness on those who have not had the Gospel shown to them or who have lost their Way.
All:
Lord, hear our prayer as we honour you in St Anthony.
Presider:
Help those who are poor, who have no food or homes, who seek work.
All:
Lord, hear our prayer as we honour you in St Anthony.
Presider:
Heal the sick and depressed. Let the lonely know the comfort of your love. Assist all in need of your mercy.
All:
Lord, hear our prayer as we honour you in St Anthony.
ST. ANTHONY PRAYER
Presider:
Lord Jesus,
All:
Bind us to you and to our neighbour with love. May our hearts not be turned away from you. May our souls not be deceived, nor our talents or minds enticed by allurements of error, so that we may never distance ourselves from your love. Thus, we may love our neighbour as ourselves with strength, wisdom, and gentleness. With your help, you who are blessed throughout all ages. Amen.
(SIT)
SCRIPTURE READING
A passage from Scripture is read, followed by brief sharing.
SI QUAERIS
Presider:
If you ask for miracles,
death, error, all calamities,
the leprosy and demons fly,
and health succeeds infirmities.
All:
The sea obeys and fetters break,
and lifeless limbs you do restore.
While treasures lost are found again,
when young and old aid implore.
Presider:
All dangers vanish at your prayer,
and deepest needs are cared for too.
Let those who know your power proclaim,
let all Christians say, "These are of you.”
All:
The sea obeys and fetters break,
and lifeless limbs you do restore.
While treasures lost are found again,
when young and old aid implore.
Presider:
To the Father,
Son, may glory be
and Holy Spirit eternally.
All:
The sea obeys and fetters break,
and lifeless limbs you do restore.
While treasures lost are found again,
when young and old aid implore.
Presider:
Pray for us, St Anthony,
All:
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Presider:
God, our loving Father,
All:
You are glorified in your servant St Anthony, whose glory is the crowning of your gift to him. In his life on earth, you give us an example. In our prayer communion with him, you give us his friendship. In his prayer for the Church, you give us strength and protection. We praise and thank you, Lord, for these benefits, through Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen.
Presider:
Holy St Anthony,
All:
You are the consolation of so many people. We come to invoke your help, confident of experiencing your goodness and power. Pray for us to the Father of mercies, that we may obtain the graces we need for ourselves and for our loved ones.
(KNEEL)
GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
Presider:
Confident in the intercession of St Anthony, let us humbly place our needs before the Lord, who hears us with tenderness and mercy.
Let our response to each petition be: “Pray for us.”
That our Holy Father may enjoy continued health and strength to lead the Church on earth, St Anthony... Pray for us.
That God may bless us with an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life, St Anthony... Pray for us.
That government leaders may have the grace to rise above factions and place the common good as their top priority, St Anthony... Pray for us.
That families burdened by divorce, abuse, or alienation may seek and find the help of the God’s spirit, St Anthony... Pray for us.
That all those who have anxiety about meeting the basic demands of life may find the consoling grace of the Lord and the generous assistance of his people, St Anthony... Pray for us.
That those who are ill may find in their weakness a new understanding of the redemptive power of Christ, St Anthony... Pray for us.
Let us pause for our personal intentions, St Anthony... Pray for us.
That those who have died may be led to the light of the resurrection, St Anthony... Pray for us.
**********
(Advent)
That our lives be beacons of hope to those who look to us for help, St. Anthony… Pray for us.
That our hearts may be filled with gratefulness and deep joy as we eagerly await the birth of the Christ child, St. Anthony… Pray for us.
(Christmas)
That rejoicing with Mary and Joseph, may we welcome Christ into our daily lives as they did, St. Anthony… Pray for us.
That Christ’s humble example of being born a helpless baby reminds us of the powerless amongst us, and how they reflect the loving face of God, St. Anthony… Pray for us.
(Lent)
That the Lord may grant us the grace to forgive those who have hurt us, St. Anthony… Pray for us.
That God may heal us of spiritual blindness and lead us to a profound experience of conversion this Lent, St. Anthony… Pray for us.
(Easter)
That we may abandon our sinful ways and embrace the newness of life wrought by the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, our saviour, St. Anthony… Pray for us.
That Christ, the light of the world and salvation of the nations, may set us on fire with his Spirit to be heralds of the Good News, St. Anthony… Pray for us.
**********
Presider:
True follower of St Francis,
All:
You put into our hearts the flame of your love, that we may love our merciful Father in heaven and our neighbour as ourselves. Pray that we may fulfill the will of God and live the way Jesus shows us in the Gospel. Be a guide for us this day that we may recognize the opportunities God gives us to be helping and caring. Assist us in keeping the promises we made at our Baptism. Help us to obtain the grace to walk in the light of faith and to proclaim that faith by the way we live.
Amen.
Presider:
St Anthony, light of the Church, lover of God’s Law and Doctor of the Gospel,
All:
Pray for us to the Son of God.
(STAND)
THANKSGIVING PRAYER
Presider:
Having offered up our petitions and needs before the All Loving and Merciful God, let us, with grateful hearts, thank him as
we pray,
All:
We thank you, Father, for giving us St Anthony, who lived the Gospel life so faithfully. Through his intercession, may the Good News of Christ inspire us to build up your Kingdom and make the world a more fitting place for all to live. With St Anthony, we praise and bless you forever and ever. Amen.
Presider:
Together with Christians of all ages, let us pray to the Father in the Words that Jesus taught us.
All:
Our Father...
BLESSING OF BREAD 🥖
Presider:
Let us pray. Heavenly Father, source of life and all nourishment, as you fed your people with manna in the desert, we praise and give you glory for the gift of bread, fruit of the earth and work of human hands. Bless this bread in honour of St Anthony and teach us to share with the poor, the forsaken and the hungry. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Presider:
Heavenly Father, with grateful hearts, we offer you thanks for the grace of loving you and serving you better, through our devotion to St Anthony. May you continue to shower upon us abundant graces through St. Anthony’s intercession, that we may live lives of holiness and love, thus revealing to all the “Face of the Child Jesus” as we continue on our earthly pilgrimage. We make this prayer in your Son’s most precious Name.
FINAL BLESSING
(Num 6: 24-26)
Presider:
Bow your heads and ask for God’s blessing.
May the Lord bless you and keep you!
Amen.
May the Lord let His face shine upon you and have mercy on you!
Amen.
May the Lord look upon you with kindness and give you his peace!
Amen.
And may The Lord bless us:
➕ The Father, ➕The Son and ➕ The Holy Spirit.
All:
Amen.
All:
We adore you, most Holy Lord Jesus Christ,
Here and all the churches throughout the world and we bless you, because by the Holy Cross, you have redeemed the world.
(STAND)
Presider:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
All:
Amen.
OPENING PRAYER
Presider:
Heavenly Father, with humble hearts, we come into your presence,
praising you and giving thanks for the bountiful blessings we have received through the intercession of St Anthony. Through our Patron Saint, who loves and holds the Scriptures dear to his heart, may we, too, open our hearts to listen to the Word of God. By reading, praying, and meditating upon its message, may we emulate our dear Saint and so be able to sit at the feet of Jesus your Son, who is your Word. We make this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Presider:
Let us pray to God our Creator, the source and author of all holiness, who has given salvation in Christ.
All:
Lord, hear our prayer as we honour you in St Anthony.
Presider:
Guide our world leaders to seek the way of peace and assist our brothers and sisters who are oppressed.
All:
Lord, hear our prayer as we honour you in St Anthony.
Presider:
Look with kindness on those who have not had the Gospel shown to them or who have lost their Way.
All:
Lord, hear our prayer as we honour you in St Anthony.
Presider:
Help those who are poor, who have no food or homes, who seek work.
All:
Lord, hear our prayer as we honour you in St Anthony.
Presider:
Heal the sick and depressed. Let the lonely know the comfort of your love. Assist all in need of your mercy.
All:
Lord, hear our prayer as we honour you in St Anthony.
ST. ANTHONY PRAYER
Presider:
Lord Jesus,
All:
Bind us to you and to our neighbour with love. May our hearts not be turned away from you. May our souls not be deceived, nor our talents or minds enticed by allurements of error, so that we may never distance ourselves from your love. Thus, we may love our neighbour as ourselves with strength, wisdom, and gentleness. With your help, you who are blessed throughout all ages. Amen.
(SIT)
SCRIPTURE READING
A passage from Scripture is read, followed by brief sharing.
SI QUAERIS
Presider:
If you ask for miracles,
death, error, all calamities,
the leprosy and demons fly,
and health succeeds infirmities.
All:
The sea obeys and fetters break,
and lifeless limbs you do restore.
While treasures lost are found again,
when young and old aid implore.
Presider:
All dangers vanish at your prayer,
and deepest needs are cared for too.
Let those who know your power proclaim,
let all Christians say, "These are of you.”
All:
The sea obeys and fetters break,
and lifeless limbs you do restore.
While treasures lost are found again,
when young and old aid implore.
Presider:
To the Father,
Son, may glory be
and Holy Spirit eternally.
All:
The sea obeys and fetters break,
and lifeless limbs you do restore.
While treasures lost are found again,
when young and old aid implore.
Presider:
Pray for us, St Anthony,
All:
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Presider:
God, our loving Father,
All:
You are glorified in your servant St Anthony, whose glory is the crowning of your gift to him. In his life on earth, you give us an example. In our prayer communion with him, you give us his friendship. In his prayer for the Church, you give us strength and protection. We praise and thank you, Lord, for these benefits, through Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen.
Presider:
Holy St Anthony,
All:
You are the consolation of so many people. We come to invoke your help, confident of experiencing your goodness and power. Pray for us to the Father of mercies, that we may obtain the graces we need for ourselves and for our loved ones.
(KNEEL)
GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
Presider:
Confident in the intercession of St Anthony, let us humbly place our needs before the Lord, who hears us with tenderness and mercy. Let our response to each petition be: “Pray for us.”
That the Church may continue to be the light of the world, bringing truth and salvation to all the nations, St Anthony... Pray for us.
That the pope, bishops, and all clergy may be effective witnesses of the Gospel, St Anthony... Pray for us.
That the Lord may increase vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and that those called may be generous, St Anthony... Pray for us.
That God, who calls us to remove all oppression, will enable our nation to restore equal protection to the lives of children, St. Anthony... Pray for us.
That our families may be blessed with peace, joy and good health, St. Anthony... Pray for us.
That the poor, disadvantaged, unemployed and the forgotten may experience the power of God’s Spirit and the help of his people, St Anthony... Pray for us.
That the sick may be comforted in their suffering and be healed according to God’s will, St Anthony... Pray for us.
Let us pause for our personal intentions, St Anthony... Pray for us.
That those who have died may be led to the light of the resurrection, St Anthony... Pray for us.
**********
(Advent)
That our lives be beacons of hope to those who look to us for help, St. Anthony…
That our hearts may be filled with gratefulness and deep joy as we eagerly await the birth of the Christ child, St. Anthony…
(Christmas)
That rejoicing with Mary and Joseph, may we welcome Christ into our daily lives as they did, St. Anthony…
That Christ’s humble example of being born a helpless baby reminds us of the powerless amongst us, and how they reflect the loving face of God, St. Anthony…
(Lent)
That the Lord may grant us the grace to forgive those who have hurt us, St. Anthony…
That God may heal us of spiritual blindness and lead us to a profound experience of conversion this Lent, St. Anthony…
(Easter)
That we may abandon our sinful ways and embrace the newness of life wrought by the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, our saviour, St. Anthony…
That Christ, the light of the world and salvation of the nations, may set us on fire with his Spirit to be heralds of the Good News, St. Anthony…
**********
Presider:
True follower of St Francis,
All:
You put into our hearts the flame of your love, that we may love our merciful Father in heaven and our neighbour as ourselves. Pray that we may fulfill the will of God and live the way Jesus shows us in the Gospel.
Be a guide for us this day that we may recognize the opportunities God gives us to be helping and caring. Assist us in keeping the promises we made at our Baptism. Help us to obtain the grace to walk in the light of faith and to proclaim that faith by the way we live.
Amen.
Presider:
St Anthony, light of the Church, lover of God’s Law and Doctor of the Gospel,
All:
Pray for us to the Son of God.
(STAND)
THANKSGIVING PRAYER
Presider:
Having offered up our petitions and needs before the All Loving and Merciful God, let us, with grateful hearts, thank him as
we pray,
All:
We thank you, Father, for giving us St Anthony, who lived the Gospel life so faithfully. Through his intercession, may the Good
News of Christ inspire us to build up your Kingdom and make the world a more fitting place for all to live. With St Anthony, we praise and bless you forever and ever. Amen.
Presider:
Together with Christians of all ages, let us pray to the Father in the Words that Jesus taught us.
All:
Our Father...
BLESSING OF BREAD 🥖
Presider:
Let us pray. Heavenly Father, source of life and all nourishment, as you fed your people with manna in the desert, we praise and give you glory for the gift of bread, fruit of the earth and work of human hands. Bless this bread in honour of St Anthony and teach us to share with the poor, the forsaken and the hungry. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Presider:
Heavenly Father, as we go on our way, we bless and thank you for this sacred time we have shared together, listening to your Word and being strengthened through the intercession of St Anthony. May we in our daily lives, feel the effects of your love through your grace working actively in us. Let us from time to time pause and be conscious of your presence around and within us and give you thanks and praise for the gifts of life, family, and friends because all good things come from you. We make our prayer in your Son’s most precious name.
All: Amen.
FINAL BLESSING
(Num 6: 24-26)
Presider:
Bow your heads and ask for God’s blessing.
May the Lord bless you and keep you!
Amen.
May the Lord let His face shine upon you and have mercy on you!
Amen.
May the Lord look upon you with kindness and give you his peace!
Amen.
And may The Lord bless us:
➕ The Father, ➕The Son and ➕ The Holy Spirit.
All:
Amen.
All:
We adore you, most Holy Lord Jesus Christ,
Here and all the churches throughout the world and we bless you, because by the Holy Cross, you have redeemed the world.
(STAND)
Presider:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
All:
Amen.
OPENING PRAYER
Presider:
Heavenly Father, the Cross has become synonymous with Christians around the world. It reminds us of our Christian identity in your Son. As we gather in your presence, we are reminded of your Son’s great love for us when he died and rose for us. St Anthony, whom you have graced the Church with, believed in the power and efficacy of the Cross. May we live out the new life won by Jesus and become a people of the Resurrection to the glory of your name. We make this prayer in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Presider:
Let us pray to God our Creator, the source and author of all holiness, who has given salvation in Christ.
All:
Lord, hear our prayer as we honour you in St Anthony.
Presider:
Guide our world leaders to seek the way of peace and assist our brothers and sisters who are oppressed.
All:
Lord, hear our prayer as we honour you in St Anthony.
Presider:
Look with kindness on those who have not had the Gospel shown to them or who have lost their Way.
All:
Lord, hear our prayer as we honour you in St Anthony.
Presider:
Help those who are poor, who have no food or homes, who seek work.
All:
Lord, hear our prayer as we honour you in St Anthony.
Presider:
Heal the sick and depressed. Let the lonely know the comfort of your love. Assist all in need of your mercy.
All:
Lord, hear our prayer as we honour you in St Anthony.
ST. ANTHONY PRAYER
Presider:
Lord Jesus,
All: Bind us to you and to our neighbour with love. May our hearts not be turned away from you. May our souls not be deceived, nor our talents or minds enticed by allurements of error, so that we may never distance ourselves from your love. Thus, we may love our neighbour as ourselves with strength, wisdom, and gentleness. With your help, you who are blessed throughout all ages. Amen.
(SIT)
SCRIPTURE READING
A passage from Scripture is read, followed by brief sharing.
SI QUAERIS
Presider:
If you ask for miracles,
death, error, all calamities,
the leprosy and demons fly,
and health succeeds infirmities.
All:
The sea obeys and fetters break,
and lifeless limbs you do restore.
While treasures lost are found again,
when young and old aid implore.
Presider:
All dangers vanish at your prayer,
and deepest needs are cared for too.
Let those who know your power proclaim,
let all Christians say, "These are of you.”
All:
The sea obeys and fetters break,
and lifeless limbs you do restore.
While treasures lost are found again,
when young and old aid implore.
Presider:
To the Father,
Son, may glory be
and Holy Spirit eternally.
All:
The sea obeys and fetters break,
and lifeless limbs you do restore.
While treasures lost are found again,
when young and old aid implore.
Presider:
Pray for us, St Anthony,
All:
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Presider:
God, our loving Father,
All:
You are glorified in your servant St Anthony, whose glory is the crowning of your gift to him. In his life on earth, you give us an example. In our prayer communion with him, you give us his friendship. In his prayer for the Church, you give us strength and protection. We praise and thank you, Lord, for these benefits, through Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen.
Presider:
Holy St Anthony,
All:
You are the consolation of so many people. We come to invoke your help, confident of experiencing your goodness and power. Pray for us to the Father of mercies, that we may obtain the graces we need for ourselves and for our loved ones.
(KNEEL)
GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
Presider:
Confident in the intercession of St Anthony, let us humbly place our needs before the Lord, who hears us with tenderness and mercy. Let our response to each petition be: “Pray for us.”
That the Church may ever more effectively proclaim Christ, who leads all to the Father in the Holy Spirit, St Anthony... Pray for us
That unity among Christians, and their collaboration for the good of society may increase, St Anthony... Pray for us
That our nation’s leaders will be mindful of the needs of the diverse people they are called to govern and serve, St Anthony... Pray for us
That mothers who are tempted to abort the child in their womb may be freed from anxiety and strengthened in their special calling to nurture life, St Anthony... Pray for us
That those who suffer from oppression or violence may draw strength from the suffering of Jesus and have the support of caring people, St Anthony... Pray for us
That we may imitate our Lord’s compassionate care for the sick, and show them that their lives are just as precious and valuable as when they are healthy, St Anthony... Pray for us
Let us pause for our personal intention, St Anthony... Pray for us
That all who have died may share the life of the Trinity forever, St Anthony... Pray for us
**********
(Advent)
That our lives be beacons of hope to those who look to us for help, St. Anthony…
That our hearts may be filled with gratefulness and deep joy as we eagerly await the birth of the Christ child, St. Anthony…
(Christmas)
That rejoicing with Mary and Joseph, may we welcome Christ into our daily lives as they did, St. Anthony…
That Christ’s humble example of being born a helpless baby reminds us of the powerless amongst us, and how they reflect the loving face of God, St. Anthony…
(Lent)
That the Lord may grant us the grace to forgive those who have hurt us, St. Anthony…
That God may heal us of spiritual blindness and lead us to a profound experience of conversion this Lent, St. Anthony…
(Easter)
That we may abandon our sinful ways and embrace the newness of life wrought by the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, our saviour, St. Anthony…
That Christ, the light of the world and salvation of the nations, may set us on fire with his Spirit to be heralds of the Good News, St. Anthony…
**********
Presider:
True follower of St Francis,
All:
You put into our hearts the flame of your love, that we may love our merciful Father in heaven and our neighbour as ourselves. Pray that we may fulfill the will of God and live the way Jesus shows us in the Gospel.
Be a guide for us this day that we may recognize the opportunities God gives us to be helping and caring. Assist us in keeping the promises we made at our Baptism. Help us to obtain the grace to walk in the light of faith and to proclaim that faith by the way we live. Amen.
Presider:
St Anthony, light of the Church, lover of God’s Law and Doctor of the Gospel,
All:
Pray for us to the Son of God.
(STAND)
THANKSGIVING PRAYER
Presider:
Having offered up our petitions and needs before the All Loving and Merciful God, let us, with grateful hearts, thank him as we pray,
All:
We thank you, Father, for giving us St Anthony, who lived the Gospel life so faithfully. Through his intercession, may the Good News of Christ inspire us to build up your Kingdom and make the world a more fitting place for all to live. With St Anthony, we praise and bless you forever and ever. Amen.
Presider:
Together with Christians of all ages, let us pray to the Father in the Words that Jesus taught us.
All:
Our Father...
BLESSING OF BREAD 🥖
Presider:
Let us pray. Heavenly Father, source of life and all nourishment, as you fed your people with manna in the desert, we praise and give you glory for the gift of bread, fruit of the earth and work of human hands. Bless this bread in honour of St Anthony and teach us to share with the poor, the forsaken and the hungry. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Presider:
Heavenly Father, the grace of new life comes by way of entrusting our life into your Son’s hands. Our Lord Jesus Christ has shown us how to carry our daily cross with hope as it is a sign of our victory. May St Anthony, who constantly put to flight the enemy of mankind by making the sign of the cross on his forehead, be an example for us when we sign ourselves in the name of the Trinity. By this, we enter into your presence as we go about our day, conscious of your abiding love. We make this prayer in your Son’s most precious Name.
All:
Amen.
FINAL BLESSING
(Num 6: 24-26)
Presider:
Bow your heads and ask for God’s blessing.
May the Lord bless you and keep you!
Amen.
May the Lord let His face shine upon you and have mercy on you!
Amen.
May the Lord look upon you with kindness and give you his peace!
Amen.
And may The Lord bless us:
➕ The Father, ➕The Son and ➕ The Holy Spirit.
All:
Amen.
All:
We adore you, most Holy Lord Jesus Christ,
Here and all the churches throughout the world and we bless you, because by the Holy Cross, you have redeemed the world.
(STAND)
Presider:
In the name of ➕ the Father, and of ➕ the Son and of ➕the Holy Spirit.
All:
Amen.
OPENING PRAYER
Presider:
Heavenly Father, all through his life, St Anthony constantly preached the necessity of humility in attaining salvation, calling to mind the humility of Christ in His Incarnation, his patient endurance in facing difficulties, and most of all, his Passion and Death on the cross. May we heed the call of our dear Saint to be humble by admitting that we are totally dependent on God and by attributing all good to you alone. We make this prayer in your Son’s most precious Name. Amen.
Presider:
Let us pray to God our Creator, the source and author of all holiness, who has given salvation in Christ.
All:
Lord, hear our prayer as we honour you in St Anthony.
Presider:
Guide our world leaders to seek the way of peace and assist our brothers and sisters who are oppressed.
All:
Lord, hear our prayer as we honour you in St Anthony.
Presider:
Look with kindness on those who have not had the Gospel shown to them or who have lost their Way.
All:
Lord, hear our prayer as we honour you in St Anthony.
Presider:
Help those who are poor, who have no food or homes, who seek work.
All:
Lord, hear our prayer as we honour you in St Anthony.
Presider:
Heal the sick and depressed. Let the lonely know the comfort of your love. Assist all in need of your mercy.
All:
Lord, hear our prayer as we honour you in St Anthony.
ST. ANTHONY PRAYER
Presider:
Lord Jesus,
All:
Bind us to you and to our neighbour with love. May our hearts not be turned away from you. May our souls not be deceived, nor our talents or minds enticed by allurements of error, so that we may never distance ourselves from your love. Thus, we may love our neighbour as ourselves with strength, wisdom, and gentleness. With your help, you who are blessed throughout all ages. Amen.
(SIT)
SCRIPTURE READING
A passage from Scripture is read, followed by brief sharing.
SI QUAERIS
Presider:
If you ask for miracles,
death, error, all calamities,
the leprosy and demons fly,
and health succeeds infirmities.
All:
The sea obeys and fetters break,
and lifeless limbs you do restore.
While treasures lost are found again,
when young and old aid implore.
Presider:
All dangers vanish at your prayer,
and deepest needs are cared for too.
Let those who know your power proclaim,
let all Christians say, "These are of you.”
All:
The sea obeys and fetters break,
and lifeless limbs you do restore.
While treasures lost are found again,
when young and old aid implore.
Presider:
To the Father,
Son, may glory be
and Holy Spirit eternally.
All:
The sea obeys and fetters break,
and lifeless limbs you do restore.
While treasures lost are found again,
when young and old aid implore.
Presider:
Pray for us, St Anthony,
All:
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Presider:
God, our loving Father,
All:
You are glorified in your servant St Anthony, whose glory is the crowning of your gift to him. In his life on earth, you give us an example. In our prayer communion with him, you give us his friendship. In his prayer for the Church, you give us strength and protection. We praise and thank you, Lord, for these benefits, through Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen.
Presider:
Holy St Anthony,
All:
You are the consolation of so many people. We come to invoke your help, confident of experiencing your goodness and power. Pray for us to the Father of mercies, that we may obtain the graces we need for ourselves and for our loved ones.
(KNEEL)
GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
Presider:
Confident in the intercession of St Anthony, let us humbly place our needs before the Lord, who hears us with tenderness and mercy. Let our response to each petition be: “Pray for us.”
That the Church will be a worthy servant of the Gospel and direct the people of God to the heart of Jesus, St Anthony... Pray for us
That our bishop and priests be strengthened by the Holy Spirit to be the prophetic voice of God in today’s world, St Anthony... Pray for us
That the Lord may sustain the zeal of missionaries all over the world who have forsaken earthly riches for the sake of the kingdom, St Anthony... Pray for us
That the leaders of nations may work together to provide for the needs of the poor, and may know that such needs cannot be fulfilled apart from God, St Anthony... Pray for us
That the family may become ever more the sanctuary of life, where all are welcomed as a gift rather than a burden, St Anthony... Pray for us
That all who are ill, especially those who feel alone, may find in Christ and in his people the path to hope and healing, St Anthony... Pray for us
Let us pause for our own personal intention, St. Anthony…Pray for us
That those who have died may be led to the light of the resurrection, St Anthony... Pray for us.
**********
(Advent)
That our lives be beacons of hope to those who look to us for help, St. Anthony…
That our hearts may be filled with gratefulness and deep joy as we eagerly await the birth of the Christ child, St. Anthony…
(Christmas)
That rejoicing with Mary and Joseph, may we welcome Christ into our daily lives as they did, St. Anthony…
That Christ’s humble example of being born a helpless baby reminds us of the powerless amongst us, and how they reflect the loving face of God, St. Anthony…
(Lent)
That the Lord may grant us the grace to forgive those who have hurt us, St. Anthony…
That God may heal us of spiritual blindness and lead us to a profound experience of conversion this Lent, St. Anthony…
(Easter)
That we may abandon our sinful ways and embrace the newness of life wrought by the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, our saviour, St. Anthony…
That Christ, the light of the world and salvation of the nations, may set us on fire with his Spirit to be heralds of the Good News, St. Anthony…
**********
Presider:
True follower of St Francis,
All:
You put into our hearts the flame of your love, that we may love our merciful Father in heaven and our neighbour as ourselves. Pray that we may fulfill the will of God and live the way Jesus shows us in the Gospel.
Be a guide for us this day that we may recognize the opportunities God gives us to be helping and caring. Assist us in keeping the promises we made at our Baptism. Help us to obtain the grace to walk in the light of faith and to proclaim that faith by the way we live.
Amen.
Presider:
St Anthony, light of the Church, lover of God’s Law and Doctor of the Gospel,
All:
Pray for us to the Son of God.
(STAND)
THANKSGIVING PRAYER
Presider:
Having offered up our petitions and needs before the All Loving and Merciful God, let us, with grateful hearts, thank him as we pray,
All:
We thank you, Father, for giving us St Anthony, who lived the Gospel life so faithfully. Through his intercession, may the Good News of Christ inspire us to build up your Kingdom and make the world a more fitting place for all to live. With St Anthony, we praise and bless you forever and ever. Amen.
Presider:
Together with Christians of all ages, let us pray to the Father in the Words that Jesus taught us.
All:
Our Father...
BLESSING OF BREAD 🥖
Presider:
Let us pray. Heavenly Father, source of life and all nourishment, as you fed your people with manna in the desert, we praise and give you glory for the gift of bread, fruit of the earth and work of human hands. Bless this bread in honour of St Anthony and teach us to share with the poor, the forsaken and the hungry. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Presider:
Heavenly Father, we are humbled by the example your Son gave us through his life of humility. It truly reveals the depth of your love for us. May we, as disciples of Christ and devotees of St Anthony, rely on our dear Saint’s intercession, and heed his call to walk in the steps of love with humility of heart as we relate with our family, friends, and colleagues on a daily basis. And may we, who are truly dependent on you, always return to you all praise, all glory, and all good. We make this prayer in your Son’s most precious Name.
All:
Amen.
FINAL BLESSING
(Num 6: 24-26)
Presider:
Bow your heads and ask for God’s blessing.
May the Lord bless you and keep you!
Amen.
May the Lord let His face shine upon you and have mercy on you!
Amen.
May the Lord look upon you with kindness and give you his peace!
Amen.
And may The Lord bless us:
➕ The Father, ➕The Son and ➕ The Holy Spirit.
All:
Amen.
All:
We adore you, most Holy Lord Jesus Christ,
Here and all the churches throughout the world and we bless you, because by the Holy Cross, you have redeemed the world.