A resource to organise prayer services of reparation and repentance to atone for the crimes of clerical sex abuse. This booklet was put together by Father Kevin Scallon CM, Intercession for Priests, All Hallows College, Gracepark Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, in response to Pope Benedict XVI’s request to the people of Ireland for prayers of reparation and repentance for the sins and crimes of clerical abuse of children. It was used every day at the Intercession for Priests at All Hallows College by both priests and laity. Since then several parishes have been using it. May these prayers call down a blessing for the Church here in Ireland.
19 pp. Veritas Publications. To purchase this booklet online go to www.veritas.ie
PRAYERS OF REPARATION AND REPENTANCE
Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament
Reading from Scripture
‘But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. Once you were no people but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy.’ (1 Peter 2:9-10)
Psalm 50 (51)
Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness.
In your compassion blot out my offence.
O wash me more and more from my guilt
and cleanse me from my sin.
My offences truly I know them;
my sin is always before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned;
what is evil in your sight I have done.
That you may be justified when you give sentence
and be without reproach when you judge.
O see, in guilt I was born,
a sinner was I conceived.
Indeed you love truth in the heart;
then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom.
purify me, then I shall be clean;
wash me, I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me hear rejoicing and gladness,
that the bones you have crushed may revive.
From my sins turn away your face
and blot out all my guilt.
A pure heart create for me, O God,
put a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
nor deprive me of your holy spirit.
Give me again the joy of your help;
with a spirit of fervour sustain me,
that I may teach transgressors your ways
and sinners may return to you.
O rescue me, God, my helper,
and my tongue shall ring out your goodness.
O Lord, open my lips
and my mouth shall declare your praise.
For in sacrifice you take no delight,
burnt offering from me you would refuse,
my sacrifice, a contrite spirit.
A humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn.
In your goodness, show favour to Zion:
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will be pleased with lawful sacrifice,
holocausts offered on your altar.
Pause for silent prayer/hymn
Hymn:
‘Lord Jesus, Think on Me’ (or other suitable hymn)
Read: ‘Whence I, once rustic, exiled, unlearned, who does not know how to provide for the future, this at least I know most certainly that before I was humiliated I was like a stone lying in the deep mire; and he that is mighty came and in his mercy lifted me up, and raised me aloft, and placed me on the top of the wall. And therefore I ought to cry out aloud and so also render something to the Lord for his great benefits here and in eternity — benefits which the mind of men is unable to appraise.’ (Confessions of St Patrick)
An Act of Reparation
Merciful Father, with love and trust we come before you.
We invoke the intercession of our great patriarch St Patrick
and all the Saints of Ireland in this time of humiliation.
What you did for him, do now for us.
We are sunk in the mire of our shame and ‘our sin is always before us’.
We remember in times passed,
how you helped us in our suffering and never refused us your mercy.
We recall how you blessed our people by raising up great servants of the gospel who planted the cross of your son Jesus in distant lands.
Father, look on the witness of these men and women of faith.
Help us in this time of affliction and accept
our repentance and our reparation.
Our human solutions have failed us.
We had not acknowledged our sins and the offence caused to you, our God.
We tremble at the sufferings of your innocent children.
We recoil from the darkness that has entered into those
who have betrayed their ministry in the Church.
Loving Father, send your Spirit of holiness and strength
upon those who have suffered.
No human skill can heal such wounds.
Only the ‘oil of gladness’, your Holy Spirit,
can soothe the memory of such pain.
Father, we present to you the most perfect reparation of all.
In the Holy Eucharist we offer you the body and blood,
soul and divinity of your dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
May the blood of his holy cross bring atonement and wholeness
to your afflicted children.
We make this prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(With permission of Superiors)
or
Prayer of Reparation and Repentance
Most Holy Triune God, we come before you to make reparation for the sins and crimes of ministers in the Church against your innocent children. Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we beg you to accept our atonement for these offences against your infinite holiness. Father, look on the precious blood of your Son, the price he paid to save us from sin and death. Accept, Lord Jesus, our hearts broken by the burden of sorrow. Pay heed, O Holy Spirit, to the cry of our reparation and repentance.
Glory be to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit (three times)
Litany of All the Saints of Ireland (recited slowly)
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the Elect, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one only God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Queen of Ireland, pray for us.
Holy Angels, Guardians of Ireland, pray for us
Glorious St Patrick, Apostle of Ireland, pray for us
St Brigid, Mother of the Churches of Ireland, pray for us
St Columba, pray for us
St Odran,
St Benignus,
St Laurence O’Toole,
St Kevin,
St Malachy,
St Carthage,
St Declan,
St Finbarr,
St Fergal,
St Kilian,
St Cathal,
St Flannan,
St Brendan,
St Eugene,
St Fiachre,
St Fursey,
St Finian,
St Fechin,
St Ibar,
St Columbanus,
St Colman,
St Gall,
St Canice,
St Kieran,
St Jarlath,
St Comgall,
St Macartan,
St Enda,
St Fintan,
St Aidan,
St Loman,
St Ita,
St Attracta,
St Gobnait,
St Ethna,
St Dympna,
St Fidelma,
St Maura,
St Oliver Plunkett,
St Flannan,
St Fachtna,
St Munchin,
St Charles of Mount Argus,
Blessed Irish Martyrs,
St Mel,
St Senan,
St Aengus,
St Celsus,
St Asicus,
St Conleth,
Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice,
St Davnet,
St Maelruin,
St Nathy,
St Felim,
St Muredach,
St Lelia,
St Ailbe,
St Eunan,
Blessed Columba Marmion,
Blessed Thaddeus McCarthy.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world. Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world. Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world. Grant us peace.
Lord, preserve among us the faith delivered by St Patrick;
Grant unity among our Bishops and Priests;
Increase the fervour of all believers and lead all people to conversion;
Comfort and sustain all who suffer;
Bless and protect the Church in Ireland
and lead all people to the fullness of your Kingdom. Amen.
Prayer for Healing
Father, with great sorrow we bring before you all
those who have been betrayed,
and had their dignity violated by ministers of the Church.
We pray that by drawing near to Jesus your Son in the Eucharist,
and being refreshed at the well-springs of divine life,
the sacraments of your Church,
they may find peace and deep inner healing.
We pray also for the healing of the families of those who have suffered.
In rearing their children, they were entrusted with
a noble and demanding task.
Lord grant them a special grace to be a source of
healing in the lives of their children.
We pray for those who have betrayed the trust placed in them.
Grant them the grace to search their hearts,
take responsibility for their criminal behaviour,
and humbly ask for your mercy.
May their repentance open a door in their hearts
through which your forgiveness and amendment of life may enter.
Through prayer and penance move them to make atonement for their sins.
Let them never doubt the power of Christ’s redeeming sacrifice
to forgive even the gravest of sins.
We make this prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(With permission of Superiors)
The Divine Mercy Chaplet (recited slowly)
(Opening Prayer🙂
You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls,
and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world.
O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy,
envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.
O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus
as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You!
Recite the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Apostles’ Creed:
(Then, on the large bead before each decade🙂
Eternal Father,
I offer you the Body and Blood,
Soul and Divinity,
of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ,
in atonement for our sins
and those of the whole world.
(On the ten small beads of each decade, say🙂
For the sake of his sorrowful Passion,
have mercy on us and on the whole world.
(Conclude with [say three times]:)
Holy God,
Holy Mighty One,
Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us
and on the whole world.
(Closing Prayer🙂
Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself. Amen.
Pope Benedict’s Prayer for the Church in Ireland
God of our fathers,
renew us in the faith which is our life and salvation,
the hope which promises forgiveness and interior renewal,
the charity which purifies and opens our hearts
to love you, and in you, each of our brothers and sisters.
Lord Jesus Christ,
may the Church in Ireland renew her age-old commitment
to the education of our young people
in the way of truth and goodness, holiness and generous service to society.
Holy Spirit, comforter, advocate and guide,
inspire a new springtime of holiness and apostolic zeal for the Church in Ireland.
May our sorrow and our tears,
our sincere effort to redress past wrongs,
and our firm purpose of amendment
bear an abundant harvest of grace
for the deepening of the faith
in our families, parishes, schools and communities,
for the spiritual progress of Irish society,
and the growth of charity, justice, joy and peace
within the whole human family.
To you, Triune God,
confident in the loving protection of Mary,
Queen of Ireland, our Mother,
and of Saint Patrick, Saint Brigid and all the saints,
do we entrust ourselves, our children,
and the needs of the Church in Ireland. Amen.
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord
Lord, hear my voice
O let your ears be attentive
To the voice of my pleading.
If you, O Lord, should mark our guilt,
Lord, who would survive?
But with you is found forgiveness
For this we revere you.
My soul is waiting for the Lord
I count on his word.
My soul is longing for the Lord
More than watchman for daybreak
And Israel on the Lord.
Because with the Lord there is mercy
And fullness of redemption,
Israel indeed he will redeem
For all its iniquity.
Evening Prayer of the Church (recited slowly)
Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament
Hymn to Mary – ‘Salve Regina’
APPENDICES
Prayer for Ireland
Mother of Christ and Mother of the Church, today we entrust to you our hearts, our consciences, and our works, that they may be in keeping with the faith we profess. We entrust to you the community of the Irish people and the community of the People of God living in this land.
We entrust to you the bishops of Ireland, the clergy, the religious men and women, the contemplative monks and sisters, the seminarians, the novices. We entrust to you the mothers and fathers, the youth, the children. We entrust to you the teachers, the catechists, the students, the writers, the poets, the actors, the artists, the workers and their leaders, the employers and managers, the professional people, the farmers; those engaged in political and public life, those who form public opinion. We entrust to you the married and those preparing for marriage; those called to serve you and their fellowmen in single life; the sick, the aged, the mentally ill, the handicapped and all who nurse and care for them. We entrust to you the prisoners and all who feel rejected; the exiled, the homesick and the lonely.
We entrust to your motherly care the land of Ireland, where you are so much loved. Help this land to stay true to you and your Son always. May prosperity never cause Irish men and women to forget God or abandon their faith. Keep them faithful in prosperity to the faith they would not surrender in poverty and persecution. Save them from greed, from envy, from seeking selfish or sectional interest. Help them to work together with a sense of Christian purpose and a common Christian goal, to build a just and peaceful and loving society where the poor are never neglected and the rights of all, especially the weak, are respected. Queen of Ireland, Mary Mother of the heavenly and earthly Church, Máthair Dé, keep Ireland true to her spiritual tradition and her Christian heritage. Help her to respond to her historic mission of bringing the light of Christ to the nations, and so making the glory of God be the honour of Ireland. Amen.
Litany of the Sacred Heart
Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy, Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy
God our Father in heaven, have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the world
God the Holy Spirit
Holy Trinity, one God
Heart of Jesus, Son of the eternal Father, have mercy on us,
Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mother
Heart of Jesus, one with the eternal Word
Heart of Jesus, infinite in majesty
Heart of Jesus, holy temple of God
Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High
Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven
Heart of Jesus, aflame with love for us
Heart of Jesus, source of justice and love
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love
Heart of Jesus, well-spring of all virtue
Heart of Jesus, worthy of all praise
Heart of Jesus, King and centre of all hearts
Heart of Jesus, treasure-house of wisdom and knowledge
Heart of Jesus, in whom there dwells the fullness of God
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father is well pleased
Heart of Jesus, from whose fullness we have all received
Heart of Jesus, desire of the eternal hills
Heart of Jesus, patient and full of mercy
Heart of Jesus, generous to all who turn to you
Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness
Heart of Jesus, atonement for our sins
Heart of Jesus, overwhelmed with insults
Heart of Jesus, broken for our sins
Heart of Jesus, obedient even to death
Heart of Jesus, pierced by a lance
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection
Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins
Heart of Jesus, salvation of all who trust in you
Heart of Jesus, hope of all who die in you
Heart of Jesus, delight of all the saints
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world
V. Jesus, gentle and humble of heart.
R. Touch our hearts and make them your own
Father, we rejoice in the gifts of love
we have received from the heart of Jesus your Son.
Open our hearts to share his life
and continue to bless us with his love.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen
Litany of the Holy Name
Lord, have mercy – Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy – Christ have mercy
Lord, have mercy – Lord, have mercy
God our Father in heaven, have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the world
God the Holy Spirit
Holy Trinity, one God
Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on us
Jesus, splendour of the Father
Jesus, brightness of everlasting light
Jesus, king of glory
Jesus, dawn of justice
Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary
Jesus, worthy of our love
Jesus, worthy of our wonder
Jesus, mighty God
Jesus, father of the world to come
Jesus, prince of peace
Jesus, all-powerful
Jesus, pattern of patience
Jesus, model of obedience
Jesus, gentle and humble of heart
Jesus, lover of chastity
Jesus, lover of us all
Jesus, God of peace
Jesus, author of life
Jesus, model of goodness
Jesus, seeker of souls
Jesus, our God
Jesus, our refuge
Jesus, father of the poor
Jesus, treasure of the faithful
Jesus, Good Shepherd
Jesus, the true light
Jesus, eternal wisdom
Jesus, infinite goodness
Jesus, our way and our life
Jesus, joy of angels
Jesus, king of patriarchs
Jesus, teacher of apostles
Jesus, master of evangelists
Jesus, courage of martyrs
Jesus, light of confessors – Lord, have mercy
Jesus, purity of virgins – Christ, have mercy
Jesus, crown of all saints – Lord, have mercy
Lord, be merciful, Jesus, save your people
From all evil
From every sin
From the snares of the devil
From your anger
From the spirit of infidelity
From everlasting death
From neglect of your Holy Spirit
By the mystery of your incarnation
By your birth
By your childhood
By your hidden life
By your public ministry
By your agony and crucifixion
By your abandonment
By your grief and sorrow
By your death and burial
By your rising to new life
By your gift of the holy eucharist
By your joy and glory
Christ, hear us – Christ, hear us
Lord Jesus, hear our prayer – Lord Jesus, hear our prayer
Lord, may we who honour the holy name of Jesus,
enjoy his friendship in this life
and be filled with eternal joy in the kingdom
where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. R. Amen.
Litany of the Precious Blood
Lord, have mercy – Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy – Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy – Lord, have mercy
God our Father in heaven – have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the world
God the Holy Spirit
Holy Trinity, one God
Blood of Christ, only Son of the Father – be our salvation
Blood of Christ, incarnate Word – be our salvation
Blood of Christ, of the new and eternal covenant – be our salvation
Blood of Christ, that spilled to the ground
Blood of Christ, that flowed at the scourging
Blood of Christ, dripping from the thorns
Blood of Christ, shed on the cross
Blood of Christ, the price of our redemption
Blood of Christ, our only claim to pardon
Blood of Christ, our blessing cup
Blood of Christ, in which we are washed
Blood of Christ, torrent of mercy
Blood of Christ, that overcomes evil
Blood of Christ, strength of the martyrs
Blood of Christ, endurance of the saints
Blood of Christ, that makes the barren fruitful
Blood of Christ, protection of the threatened
Blood of Christ, comfort of the weary
Blood of Christ, solace of the mourner
Blood of Christ, hope of the repentant
Blood of Christ, consolation of the dying
Blood of Christ, our peace and refreshment
Blood of Christ, our pledge of life
Blood of Christ, by which we pass to glory
Blood of Christ, most worthy of honour – be our salvation
V. Lord, you redeemed us by your blood.
R. You have made us a kingdom to serve our God.
Father, by the blood of your Son
you have set us free and saved us from death.
Continue your work of love within us,
that by constantly celebrating the mystery of our salvation
we may reach the eternal life it promises.
We ask through Christ our Lord.
Litany of Our Blessed Lady
Lord, have mercy – Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy – Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy – Lord, have mercy
God our Father in heaven – have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the world – have mercy on us
God the Holy Spirit – have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, one God – have mercy on us
Holy Mary – pray for us
Holy Mother of God – pray for us
Most honoured of virgins – pray for us
Mother of Christ
Mother of the Church
Mother of divine grace
Mother most pure
Mother of chaste love
Mother and virgin
Sinless Mother
Dearest of mothers
Model of motherhood
Mother of good counsel
Mother of our Creator
Mother of our Saviour
Virgin most wise
Virgin rightly praised
Virgin rightly renowned
Virgin most powerful
Virgin gentle in mercy
Faithful Virgin
Mirror of justice
Throne of wisdom
Cause of our joy
Shrine of the Spirit
Glory of Israel
Vessel of selfless devotion
Mystical Rose
Tower of David
Tower of ivory
House of gold
Ark of the covenant
Gate of heaven
Morning Star
Health of the sick
Refuge of sinners
Comfort of the troubled
Help of Christians
Queen of angels
Queen of patriarchs and prophets
Queen of apostles and martyrs
Queen of confessors and virgins
Queen of all saints
Queen conceived in grace
Queen raised up to glory
Queen of the rosary
Queen of peace – pray for us
V. Pray for us, holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ
Eternal God, let your people enjoy constant health in mind and body.
Through the intercession of the Virgin Mary
free us from the sorrows of this life
and lead us to happiness in the life to come.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
‘I ask you to offer up your fasting, your prayer, your reading of Scripture and your works of mercy in order to obtain the grace of healing and renewal for the Church in Ireland. I encourage you to discover anew the sacrament of Reconciliation and to avail yourselves more frequently of the transforming power of its grace. Particular attention should also be given to Eucharistic adoration, and in every diocese there should be churches or chapels specifically devoted to this purpose. I ask parishes, seminaries, religious houses and monasteries to organise periods of Eucharistic adoration, so that all have an opportunity to take part. Through intense prayer before the real presence of the Lord, you can make reparation for the sins of abuse that have done so much harm, at the same time imploring the grace of renewed strength and a deeper sense of mission on the part of all bishops, priests, religious and lay faithful. I am confident that this programme will lead to a rebirth of the Church in Ireland in the fullness of God’s own truth, for it is the truth that sets us free.’
(Pope Benedict XVI’s Pastoral Letter to the Catholics of Ireland, n.14)
