9/11 Communal Petition I've been asked to read the Prayers of the Faithful (what is the formal name?) at the Ikeda parish Sunday Mass on 2011/9/11 (all readings, etc. will be performed by foreigners). I've volunteered to draft the final petition which is always made by the group serving at the Mass. It will be the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the U.S. I get about three sentences but have so much I'd like to say. I have often felt that a lot of people in Japan have lacked sympathy and understanding of the American osition. However, the few words I have must be a prayer on behalf of the whole parish and not my personal petition. But I may and should pray on the parish's behalf from a parishioner's perspective that other parishioners may not have considered before. Remembering the 9/11 attacks, what prayer of ours would please Christ? * Brainstorm - Mercy on the souls of all who were killed/the innocent victims. - Comfort to the victims' families. - Repentence and conversion of terrorists/those who seek to reshape the world with hawtred and violence. - Courage to defend the innocent from hatred and violence. - Tolerance for people of all views and religions. Here's a guideline from GIRM: As a rule, the series of intentions is to be: a. for the needs of the Church; b. for public authorities and the salvation of the whole world; c. for those burdened by any kind of difficulty; d. for the local community. | | V Not sure if the example petitions in the missalet always match a. - c. above. However, since the Mass servers are charged with the final petition, it is clear that our prayer should focus on the needs of the parish. Therefore I now think a prayer commemorating the 9/11 terror attacks would not be appropriate. * Idea: Pray for courage to live our lives in a way that realizes Christ's love, charisma, and call to conversion to our neighbors. (not be JIMI)