September 21
Wonderful Savior, Saint Matthew was considered by his own people to be a traitor because he collected taxes for the enemy, but You, O Lord, did not label him as bad. You knew he was willing to hear the truth and learn from it, so You said, “Follow me,” and immediately he left his money and his job to accept salvation. I ask him to pray for me to resist labeling people as sinners, even when I am aware of the genuine sins they’ve committed. Dear Lord, help me to stop focusing on their bad behavior, give me eyes to see the goodness that lies within, and teach me how to draw it out. Saint Matthew, pray for me. Amen.
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O Jesus, Saint Andrew Kim Taegon was the first Korean priest, and Saint Paul Chong was a lay catechist, and they were among 113 Catholics in Korea who died because of the Faith. I ask them to pray for the continued growth of the Church in Korea and in other Asian countries. Dear Lord, comfort the persecuted ones, and teach me by their courage to be willing to take greater risks for the Faith. Let me never forget how easy I have it compared to those whose sacrifices are far greater than mine. Bless the priests, religious and lay catechists who teach the Faith in non-Christian countries. Saints Andrew Kim and Paul Chong, pray for us. Amen.
Holy Spirit, Saint Januarius cared about people who suffered and risked his own freedom to visit those who had been imprison for the Faith. Indeed, he ended up a prisoner with them. I ask him to pray for my heart to be filled with the same compassion. O God, help me to bring joy and comfort to the people around me, especially those who are imprisoned by discouragement, heavy burdens, difficult jobs, unhealed wounds, and abusive relationships. Whenever I see suffering in others, help me to not run away due to feelings of inadequacy. Turn my fears into trust in You, for You are with me. Saint Januarius, pray for us. Amen.
Beloved Father, Saint Joseph of Cupertino endured much rejection in his life—his mother disapproved of him and the religious orders he tried to join refused him—but rather than succumbing to self-pity, he turned to You for acceptance. He became a priest who worked miracles and conversed intimately with You in ecstasies. I ask him to pray for the people I know who have low self-esteem. Teach us, O Lord, to stop putting ourselves down, and show us how to turn rejections into greater experiences of Your love. Help us to have more confidence in ourselves from knowing that You live within our hearts. Saint Joseph, pray for us. Amen.
Blessed Jesus, Saint Robert Bellarmine is the patron saint of catechumens because he wrote two catechisms and devoted much of his time to teaching the Faith to children. He also wrote a revised version of the Bible. I ask him to pray for those in my church who teach the Faith, and for their students. Bless the teachers, Lord, and anoint the minds of those receiving instruction to understand it so powerfully that their lives are changed by it forever. Raise up more opportunities—including parish missions—for church members to learn the Faith more deeply, and inspire large numbers of people to attend these events. Saint Robert, pray for us. Amen.