Ordinary Time: Autumn
Intentions
Throughout Ordinary Time: Autumn we are asked to pray for the following intentions:
Further Resources
- Ordinary Time: Autumn prayer card [pdf]
- Ordinary Time; Autumn intentions [pdf]
notes (from this page) for Liturgy groups - Guidance on celebrating Special Days of Prayer [pdf]
- Table of Rubrics
- Ordinary Time: Seasonal Information
The Harvest, the Fruits of Human Work,
and the Reverent Use of Creation
especially on World Day of prayer for the Care of Creation (1 September) and on last Sunday in September or whenever Harvest Festivals are held.
Background
"The annual World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation will offer individual believers and communities a fitting opportunity to reaffirm their personal vocation to be stewards of creation, to thank God for the wonderful handiwork which he has entrusted to our care, and to implore his help for the protection of creation as well as his pardon for the sins committed against the world in which we live."
(Pope Francis, Letter inaugurating World Prayer of Care for Creation)
The Church has long celebrated the agricultural harvest. This intention also includes all human work. In all circumstances of human life there are choices to be made regarding the environment and our reverent stewardship of the God's gift of creation.
"The external deserts in the world are growing, because the internal deserts have become so vast. Therefore the earth's treasures no longer serve to build God's garden for all to live in, but they have been made to serve the powers of exploitation and destruction" (Benedict XVI, homily at Inaugural Mass, 2005).
Prayer
O Lord, good Father, who in your providence
have entrusted the earth to the human race,
grant, we pray, that with the fruits harvested from it
we may be able to sustain life
and, with your help, always use them
Roman Missal
Prayer of the Faithful
one of the following may be used or adapted according to local needs
- For a fair and equal trade,
so that all may receive a just wage for the work of their hands. - For politicians and all who make decisions
that affect the future of the earth
may they safeguard the care of creation for future generations.
Liturgical Texts
may be used when permitted - see Table of Rubrics
- Roman Missal: 26. For the Sanctification of Human Labour
- 27. At Seed Time
- 28. After the Harvest
Opportunities and Challenges
- The symbols that are used in the liturgy should be authentic — candles made from wax, for example.
- Some areas of the country may be able to use wine that is produced from a local vineyard.
- The celebration of the liturgical seasons can demand the awareness of the natural seasons of the year. The encouragement to eat more locally produced seasonal produce can inform our sense of the passing of liturgical time.
- Consider how this intention links with the intention: Justice and Peace in the World
Links
- Letter of Pope Francis for the Establishment of the World day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.
- Laudato si' — Encyclical letter of Pope Francis on care of our common home.
- Laudate Deum — Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis on the Climate Crisis
- Papal message for World Food Day
- Department for International Affairs
- The Call of Creation (pdf)
- livesimply
Students and Teachers
especially on Education day — 2nd Sunday of September
Background
The day of prayer for Education is organised ecumenically by the Education agencies of the various denominations.
In the Catholic Church material is distributed by the Catholic Education Service. There may be a collection for the Agency on this Sunday.
Prayer
God is the source of all wisdom and knowledge.
Let us ask him to bless those who seek to learn and their teachers.
For students, that the Spirit of God may grant them the gifts of wisdom of understanding.
For teachers, that they may share their knowledge with gentleness, patience, and concern for their students.
Book of Blessings
Prayer of the Faithful
one of the following may be used or adapted according to local needs
- For the love of learning at the beginning of a new academic year,
may we all desire to grow in our faith in God
and our knowledge of the world he created. - For teachers, catechists and all who share what God has done,
may they always be open to deepening their knowledge.
Liturgical Texts
may be used when permitted - see Table of Rubrics
- Book of Blessings: Orders for the Blessing of those appointed as Catechists (Chapter 4)
- Book of Blessings: Orders for the Blessing of Students and Teachers (Chapter 5)
- Book of Blessings: Order for the Blessing of a New School or University (Chapter 13)
Opportunities and Challenges
- What liturgical skills could be shared between school and parish? The sharing of parish's musical repertoire for example.
- The Liturgy Office produces a half-termly bulletin about the liturgy for schools: Spirit of the Season.
Links
- Congregation for Catholic Education
- Department for Catholic Education
- Catholic Education Service
- Spirit of the Season — liturgy bulletin for schools
The Spread of the Gospel
especially on Evangelii Gaudium Day: 3rd Sunday in September & World Mission Day: the penultimate Sunday in October
Background
Home Mission day is on the 3rd Sunday in September. There may be a collection to support the work of the Bishops' Conference Department of Evangelisation and Discipleship.
World Mission Day is on the penultimate Sunday in October. A Mass 'for the Spread of the Gospel' may be celebrated on this Sunday. Each year the Holy Father writes a message for World Mission day. In England and Wales material is produced for parishes by the Pontifical Mission Societies. There may be a collection for their work on this day.
Prayer
O God, whose will it is that all should be saved
and come to the knowledge of the truth,
look upon your abundant harvest
and be pleased to send workers to gather it,
that the Gospel may be preached to all creation
and that your people, gathered by the word of life
and sustained by the power of the Sacraments,
may advance in the path of salvation and love.
Roman Missal
Prayer of the Faithful
one of the following may be used or adapted according to local needs
- For the courage to live lives faithful to the Gospel
as missionary disciples of Christ. - For the ability to recognise Christ in all whom we meet.
Liturgical Texts
may be used when permitted - see Table of Rubrics
- Roman Missal: 18. For the Evangelization of Peoples
Opportunities and Challenges
- How is the parish a welcoming community?
- What opportunities for common prayer or liturgy does the parish offer other than Mass
- What would be necessary to keep the church open.
- What are the ways the parish can support celebrations of wedding and funerals?
- Put a phrase from the gospel in the newsletter each week and invite people to reflect upon it.
- Find out more about the Pontifical Mission Societies by subscribing to one of the magazines they produce.
Links
Justice and Peace in the World
especially on Harvest Fast Day: 1st Friday on October
Background
The Harvest Fast day is one of two such days organised by CAFOD. The money offered from the fasting is usually collected at Mass on the following Sunday.
Prayer
O God, who show a father’s care for all,
grant, in your mercy,
that the members of the human race,
to whom you have given a single origin,
may form in peace a single family
and always be united by a fraternal spirit.
Roman Missal
Prayer of the Faithful
one of the following may be used or adapted according to local needs
- • For tolerance and respect,
for an openness to neighbours and strangers. - For the broadening of our horizons
and an awareness of what is happening in the world.
Liturgical Texts
may be used when permitted - see Table of Rubrics
- Roman Missal: 30. For the Preservation of Peace and Justice
Opportunities and Challenges
Links
Prisoners and their Families
especially on Prisoners Sunday (2nd Sunday on October) and in Prisons Week (2nd Week in October)
Background
Prisoner's week was a Catholic initiative begun in 1975 by Bishop Victor Guazelli which has since ecumenical support and observance. It reflects the work of the Prison Advice and Care Trust which builds on its origins as the Bourne Trust — the Catholic Prisoner's Aid Society. The Sunday and the following week seek to focus attention not only on the needs of prisoners but on all those involved the field of prison care, prisoners families, victims of crime, prison staff and many volunteers.
Prayer
Almighty and merciful God,
to whom alone the secrets of the heart lie open,
who recognize the just and make righteous the guilty,
hear our prayers for your servants held in prison,
and grant that through patience and hope
they may find relief in their affliction
and soon return unhindered to their own.
Roman Missal
Prayer of the Faithful
one of the following may be used or adapted according to local needs
- For all in prison and their families,
that they may know the Lord's compassion and love. - For the judicial system,
may it practice both justice and mercy.
Liturgical Texts
may be used when permitted - see Table of Rubrics
- Roman Missal: 43. For those held in Captivity
- 44. For those in Prison
Opportunities and Challenges
- Find out about the work of Prison Advice and Care Trust.
- Support the work of the Churches' Criminal Justice Forum.
Links
All Victims of War
especially on Remembrance Sunday (2nd Sunday in November)
Background
Remembrance Sunday falls on the Sunday nearest Armistice Day, 11 November, which marks the end of the First World War. On this day are remembered all those who gave their lives for their country, all who suffered and died through acts of war and those who were left behind to grieve and mourn. In England and Wales one Mass for the Dead may celebrated on this Sunday.
Prayer
O God, merciful and strong,
who crush wars and cast down the proud,
be pleased to banish violence swiftly from our midst
and to wipe away all tears,
so that we may all truly deserve to be called your children..
Roman Missal
Prayer of the Faithful
one of the following may be used or adapted according to local needs
- For peace and reconciliation between nations,
that enemies may put aside all differences. - For all those who have died through war or acts of violence
in defence of our country,
may we never forget their sacrifice.
Liturgical Texts
may be used when permitted - see Table of Rubrics
- Masses for the Dead
One Mass for the Dead is permitted on this Sunday.
Opportunities and Challenges
- Explore how the texts of the Sunday could be used to speak about the hope of resurrection.
- Remember to pray for those who serve in the Armed Forces through the year.
Links
Young People
especially on Christ the King: 34th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Background
The Church in England and Wales has marked the contribution of young people on Christ the King for many years. Universally it is marked on Palm Sunday. In many parishes it is an opportunity to focus on the role of young people in the Sunday liturgy and in the life of the parish. Over the last few years material prepared to assist the day has used the livesimply campaign. There may be a collection for diocesan and national youth services on this day.
Prayer
O God, who gave one origin to all peoples
and willed to gather from them
one family for yourself,
fill all hearts of all young people, we pray,
with the fire of your love
and kindle in them a desire
for the just advancement of their neighbour,
that, through the good things
which you richly bestow upon all,
each human person may be brought to perfection,
every division may be removed,
and equity and justice may be established in human society.
Roman Missal (adapted)
Prayer of the Faithful
one of the following may be used or adapted according to local needs
- For young people,
may they grow in Christ - For all who work with young people,
may they show leadership and compassion.
Opportunities and Challenges
- How can young people be integrated into the liturgy through the year?
- What opportunities are there for the formation of young people as liturgical ministers?
Links
- Catholic Youth Ministry Federation
- Vatican — World Youth Day
- Revealed online — A Catholic youth ministry formation resource
