Liturgy Alive Tuesday, February 4, 2020

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Tuesday, February 4, 2020

 

Saint John Bosco, Priest
Memorial - January 31

Introduction

In the beginning of the 19th Century, social concern was almost inexistent and poverty considered an insoluble problem, with children as the great victims. Especially in cities they grew up in alleys and slums and roamed the streets. Turin had thousands of them. Don Bosco took the initiative to care for these neglected children and youth. His sensitive heart and his firm guidance could bring them together to give them shelter and an education. He understood them and made himself accepted by them. He had a hard time to change the mentality of politicians and Church leaders and to spur them to do something about the problem, but he succeeded little by little. In all his difficulties he kept his good cheer.

Opening Prayer

Lord our God,
with you and with your Son Jesus
Don Bosco loved the young
and dedicated his life and that of his Congregation
to their education and care.

Dispose your Church and its leaders
and also all parents,
to pay very much attention
to the formation and development of the young,
who are our hope for the future.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord our God, ever young,
with bread and wine we celebrate 
how Jesus became one of us
and how he made himself little
to be close to us.
May we also learn from him
to become little and humble
to make ourselves available to children,
to understand and to love them,
and to help them grow up 
to the full adulthood of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer after Communion

Lord our God, we tend to come before you 
with our human wisdom: 
self-assured, sophisticated, world wise,
but Jesus made children the privileged symbol
of the truly adult disciple.
Let him give us the openness and receptivity 
of children: humble, authentic,
and open to your love and gifts.
Let him make us mature in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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