The 2019 General Chapter is soon coming to an end. For the last few days we have been discerning God’s invitations to live out our charism in today’s world and church. Every morning the sessions have started with a simple prayer, perhaps some words, a song, followed by reflection questions, quiet time and sharing time in small groups.
Today the prayer took us to Payatas, a dumpsite in Metro Manila where our sisters minister through the FCJ Learning and Development Center at Bagong Silangan. Sisters Van and Paola from Manila led us in prayer through a video with poignant and hope-filled images of life Payatas and music on Psalm 84, How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place, by Himig Heswita and RB Hizon SJ.
We prayed with the words from Pope Francis at the end of the encyclical Laudato Si on Care for our Common Home.
A Prayer for Our Earth
All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle
for justice, love and peace.
More on our General Chapter on the Chapter News page and on social media #FCJChapter2019.