General Intention
Refugees. That Christians may defend and protect refugees.
Jesus Christ identified with the victims of this world. He said, “Amen I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Mt. 25:40). Jesus could well identify with refugees because he began his own life on […]

General Intention
Respect for Creation. That the human family may know how to respect God’s design for the world and thus become ever more aware of the great gift of God which Creation represents for us.
Pope Benedict XVI’s 2008 World Day of Peace message includes a profound meditation on the human family and the environment.  […]

General Intention
Volunteers. That there may be an increase in the number of volunteers who offer their services to the Christian Community.
Pope Benedict XVI has repeatedly expressed his thanks and admiration for volunteers.  Volunteers are the people who hear the Word of God and do it. They carry on the work of Jesus Christ by serving […]

General Intention
Friendship with Christ. That all Christians may cultivate a deep and personal friendship with Christ so to communicate the strength of his love to every person they meet.
Pope Benedict XVI's recent book, Jesus of Nazareth, stresses that being Christian depends on building an intimate friendship with Jesus. It's the great theme of his […]

General Intention
Human Dignity. That Christians may use literature, art, and mass media to create a culture which defends and promotes the values of the human person.
This month Pope Benedict XVI asks us to pray for those whose handiwork fills the media. We pray that artists of all kinds will create works that promote the […]

General Intention
Proclamation of the Resurrection. That Christians may not tire of proclaiming with their lives that Christ's resurrection is the source of hope and peace.
Pope Benedict's 2nd Encyclical, Spe Salvi, conveys to us the Holy Father's rich insights into the nature of Christian hope. The Pope recognizes, however, that if anyone is to receive the […]

General Intention
Forgiveness. That all may understand the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation between individuals and peoples and that the Church may spread Christ's love.
Appropriate for Lent, Pope Benedict XVI turns our prayers this month to the beautiful practice of forgiveness. Jesus Christ came to take away our sins and to reconcile us to God […]

General Intention
Mentally Handicapped. That the mentally handicapped may not be marginalized, but respected and lovingly helped.
This month the Holy Father affirms the worth of people who are mentally handicapped. The developmentally disabled, as they are usually termed in the U.S., tend to be marginalized by society — that is, they are pushed aside, put […]

General Intention
Christian Unity. That the Church work for full visible unity that better manifests a community of love which reflects the Blessed Trinity.
Perhaps more than previous popes, Benedict XVI has made Christian unity a priority. Speaking of himself in his first papal message, he said, "Peter's current successor takes on as his primary task […]

General Intention
Those Suffering from AIDS. That society may care for those stricken with AIDS, especially women and children, and that the Church may help them feel the Lord's love.
"My sister is six years old. There are no grown-ups living with us. I need a bathroom tap and clothes and shoes. And water also, inside […]

General Intention
Minority Christians. That Christians who are in minority situations may have strength and courage to live their faith and persevere in bearing witness to it.
It's hard not to notice the waning of majority Christian culture in the United States. We are still predominantly a Christian nation, but non-Christian voices are also among us. Sometimes […]

[Editor's Note: Apostleship of Prayer receives monthly prayer intentions from Pope Benedict XVI and urges Christians throughout the world to unite in prayer for those intentions. The reflections below seek to illuminate the Holy Father's concerns.]
General Intention
Romanian Assembly. That the ecumenical assembly in Romania this month may contribute to the growth of unity among all […]

 
[Editor's Note: Apostleship of Prayer receives monthly prayer intentions from Pope Benedict XVI and urges Christians throughout the world to unite in prayer for those intentions. The reflections below seek to illuminate the Holy Father's concerns.]
General Intention
Those suffering inner turmoil.  That those who are suffering inner difficulties and trials may find in Christ the light […]

 
[Editor's Note: Apostleship of Prayer receives monthly prayer intentions from Pope Benedict XVI and urges Christians throughout the world to unite in prayer for those intentions. The reflections below seek to illuminate the Holy Father's concerns.]
General Intention
Common Good. That all citizens may participate actively in working to achieve and maintain the common good.
In this era […]

 
[Editor's Note: Apostleship of Prayer receives monthly prayer intentions from Pope Benedict XVI and urges Christians throughout the world to unite in prayer for those intentions. The reflections below seek to illuminate the Holy Father's concerns.]
General Intention
Sailors. That the Lord may protect sailors and all those involved in maritime activities.
The Holy Father has seafarers […]

 
[Editor's Note: Apostleship of Prayer receives monthly prayer intentions from Pope Benedict XVI and urges Christians throughout the world to unite in prayer for those intentions. The reflections below seek to illuminate the Holy Father's concerns.]
General Intention
Attentiveness to God. That, like the Virgin Mary, all Christians may be guided by the Word of God and […]

 
[Editor's Note: Apostleship of Prayer receives monthly prayer intentions from Pope Benedict XVI and urges Christians throughout the world to unite in prayer for those intentions. The reflections below seek to illuminate the Holy Father's concerns.]
General Intention
Call to Holiness. That guided by the Holy Spirit, each Christian may respond enthusiastically and faithfully to the universal […]

 
[Editor's Note: Apostleship of Prayer receives monthly prayer intentions from Pope Benedict XVI and urges Christians throughout the world to unite in prayer for those intentions. The reflections below seek to illuminate the Holy Father's concerns.]
General Intention
Hearing God's Word. That the Word of God may be ever more listened to, contemplated, loved, and lived.
What forms […]

[Editor's Note: Apostleship of Prayer offers reflections and prayers for Pope Benedict XVI's monthly prayer intentions.]
General Intention
That the goods of the earth, given by God for all people, may be used wisely and in accordance with justice and solidarity.
Mission Intention
That governments of all nations may cooperate to fight diseases and epidemics in the Third […]

[Editor's Note: Apostleship of Prayer offers reflections and prayers for Pope Benedict XVI's monthly prayer intentions.]
General Intention
That in our violent time, Bishops may continue to show the way of peace and understanding among peoples.
Mission Intention
That the Church in Africa may be a witness of the Good News of Christ and be committed to the promotion […]