Ozanam Sunday Sending Out Blessing

On Sunday, April 26, 2009, known as Ozanam Sunday, the members of OLG Conference at the 10:30 a.m. Mass received from Fr. Nicholas a special prayer and blessing for the work of the conference and the Society. That blessing is re-printed below:

Almighty God and Father,

Through your Son, Jesus Christ,

And with the Holy Spirit,

We ask that you bless the work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul

In our parish, in our community, and throughout the world.

Guide your Vincentian servants, gathered here,

And help them to see the Most Holy Face of Jesus, your Son,

In each person they meet.

Let them be our hands, and let them be our hearts,

As they reach out to the least of our brothers and sisters in need.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the virtue of charity.

Help us everyday to be open and generous.  Help us not to judge.

Almighty God,

who called your servant Vincent de Paul

to serve you in the person of those in need:

Grant that we, following his example,

may fulfill your commandments

by defending and supporting the poor,

and by loving you with all our hearts,

and we ask that you strengthen and encourage

these members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul

today and in the months ahead, in their ministry to the poor,

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you

and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.