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Holy Hour
for Crosier Vocations

Opening Prayer

Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. You call all who believe in you to grow perfect in love by following in the way of Christ your Son. May the Crosiers provide by their way of life a convincing sign of your reign for the Church and the world. Grant to those discerning Crosier Religious Life spiritual freedom and love for their sisters and brothers. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Celebrating God's Word

(Acts 2:42-47) – The community devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

 

(Pause for Reflection)

The Lord of Hosts

(Psalm 84)
Your temple is my joy,
Lord of heaven’s might.
I am eager for it,
eager for the courts of God.
My flesh, my flesh sings
its joy to the living God.
As a sparrow homing,
a swallow seeking a nest
to hatch its young,
I am eager for your altars,
Lord of heaven’s might,
my king, my God.
To live with you is joy,
to praise you and never stop.
Those you bless with courage
will bless you from their hearts.
When they cross the valley of Thirst
the ground is spaced with springs,
with the welcome rain of autumn.
They travel the towns to reach
the God of gods in Zion.
Hear me, Lord of might,
heed me God of Jacob.
God our shield, look,
see the face of your anointed.
One day within your courts
is worth a thousand without.
I would rather stand at God’s gate
than move among the wicked.
God is our sun, our shield,
the giver of honor and grace.
The Lord never fails to bless
those who walk with integrity.
Lord of heaven’s might,
blest are all who trust in you.
 
 
(Pause for Reflection) 

Take Up Your Cross

(Matthew 16:24-27) – Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct.”

 
(Pause for Reflection) 

Blessing The Goodness of the Lord

Remember, O God, your many blessings upon the Crosier Fathers and Brothers.

 

Jesus, thank you for calling men to Crosier Religious life, which is a sign of God’s reign and justice.

 

Jesus, thank you for showing your mercy and compassion to those in need through the Crosiers who, in your name, offer their lives in service to their brothers and sisters.

 

Jesus, thank you for bringing salvation to every human being. Through the Crosiers you make your word known in our world today.

 

Jesus, thank you for giving your life to all who believe in you through Baptism. May all men discerning your call to Crosier religious life live boldly in the cross.

 

Jesus, thank you for the Crosiers. You have called them to live together for you alone. May their lives be a witness of your Good News.

 

Lord our God, thank you for Blessed Theodore and his companions, whom you gave as models of charity, dedication, and service. You continue to give the Church dedicated Crosiers as examples to guide others on our way to your kingdom. Grant the Crosiers more vocations. Inspire men to give themselves totally to the mission of Christ and to proclaim the cross of Christ through Crosier life of community, prayer and ministry. We ask all of this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Litany For Vocations

(John 14:13-14) – Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your followers: “Whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.”
 
O Jesus, the Most High, from your holy people call more men to Crosier Religious Life…
Take up your cross and follow Christ.
 
Jesus, true Shepherd, form young men to follow you in love and give their lives in service to the Church as Crosiers…

Take up your cross and follow Christ.

 
Jesus, as the Son of Mary you shared in our joys and sorrows, open the hearts of men to hear your call and consecrate their lives to your service as Crosiers…
Take up your cross and follow Christ.
 
Lord, you have made us a priestly people and a holy nation, make all of us living witnesses to your word, living temples in which a spiritual sacrifice is offered each day…
Take up your cross and follow Christ.
 
Jesus, crucified on the cross you gave your life for us, grant to the Crosiers new members who will spend themselves in service to their brothers and sisters…
Take up your cross and follow Christ.
 
Jesus, the Word of God through whom all things were created, send young men to bring your word of hope to the Church as Crosiers…
Take up your cross and follow Christ.
 
 Lord, your disciples heard your invitation, “Follow Me”, let young men of this time and place be touched by the power of your word and join the Crosiers…
Take up your cross and follow Christ.
 
Lord God, look with love on your people. Send many and holy men to the Crosiers so that the Gospel may be proclaimed to every creature. Lead the Crosiers to perfect love and may they work effectively for the salvation of all. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for Parents and Families

(Mark 4:1-8) – On another occasion Jesus began to teach by the sea. A very large crowd gathered around him so that he got into a boat on the sea and sat down. And the whole crowd was beside the sea on land. And he taught them at length in parables, and in the course of his instruction he said to them, “Hear this! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep. And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it produced no grain. And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit. It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty and a hundredfold.”

 

(Pause for Reflection)

 

 
Christ, you have invited each of us to cooperate and share in your redemptive work by living lives of holiness. We are to be examples of faith to the men who seek direction and guidance in their discernment with the Crosiers. Send your blessing on all parents and families who are entrusted to care for these men in their discernment. May your grace guide their thoughts and actions.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father…

Concluding Prayer

Blessed are you, O Lord our God. As you have called the Crosiers to live together for you alone, inspire men with that same desire and call them to join Crosier consecrated life. Grant them the courage and vision to proclaim the cross of Christ through Crosier life of community, prayer and ministry. Hear our prayer for them and the prayers of Founder Theodore, Patroness Odilia and Father Augustine. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.