Prayer to St. John XXIII

Dear Pope John,

Your simplicity and meekness carried the scent of
God and sparked in people’s hearts the desire for
goodness. You spoke often of the beauty of the
family gathered around the table to share bread
and faith: pray for us that once again true families
would live in our homes.
With outstretched hands you sowed hope, and
you taught us to listen for God’s footsteps as he
prepares a new humanity: help us have a healthy
optimism of defeating evil with good.
You loved the world with its light and darkness,
and you believed that peace is possible: help
us be instruments of peace at home and in our
communities.
With paternal gentleness you gave all children a
caress: you moved the world and reminded us that
hands have been given to us not for striking, but for
embracing and drying tears.
Pray for us so that we do not limit ourselves to
cursing the darkness but that we bring the light,
bringing Jesus everywhere and always praying to Mary.

Amen.