All across the Diocese of Richmond this weekend, all parish Masses will celebrate the Feast Day of St. Vincent de Paul, the patron saint of the diocese. The Octave of Service is in honor of St. Vincent de Paul, Apostle of Charity and Father of the Poor.


"Let us love God, but let it be with the strength of our arms and the sweat of our brows."
(St. Vincent de Paul)


Beatitude Prayer
by Deacon Andy Cirmo

Dear Jesus,
I pray for Your strengthening grace
That I may always answer You
When You call to me.

Help me to comfort, to lift up
To encourage and support
The Poor in Spirit.

Help me always to console and assist
Bringing comfort and presence
To those who mourn.

Help me to lift up and protect
Reaching out to, speaking for,
And being present in all ways
To the meek needing my voice.

Help me to find ways to provide
Bringing Your comfort and support to 
Those who hunger and thirst.

Help me to act with righteous gentleness
Humbly looking beyond myself
To be genuinely and selflessly merciful.

Help me to always and in all ways
See beyond the fog of self-righteousness
And always strive to be clean of heart.

Help me in the midst of conflict
When resolution eludes reach
To become and to be a peacemaker.

Help me to always protect and defend
With prayer, action, and holy resolve
The rights and needs of the persecuted,
That I may help bring the peace of heaven
And humbly reflect the true love of Jesus.