Prayers for The General Chapter of the Order of Preachers

Date: 26 August 2010 12:06:59

[caption id="attachment_1487" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="General Chapter 2010"][/caption]

Every three years, the Order of Preachers holds a General Chapter, and a new Master of the Order is elected by the Friars every nine years. The General Chapter is being held in Rome from August 31-September 21st, with the election for the new Master on September 5th.

Traditionally, the Nuns of the Order pray the following for a month preceding the General Chapter.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be world without end. Amen.

Leader: Come Holy Spirit
All: Fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of your love; you who through the diversity of many languages, gathered the nations together in the unity of faith.

Leader: Lord, have mercy
All: Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.
All: Our Father…

Leader: Send forth your Spirit, and they will be created.
All: And you will restore the face of the earth.
Leader: Save your servants.
All: Who trust in you, my God.

Leader: Let us pray:
O God, who has instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that, in the same Spirit, we may relish what is right and ever rejoice in his consolation.

Listen, Lord, to our prayers and guide the steps of your servants along the path of your salvation; that in the journey through this fickle life they may always be protected by your help. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen