Cusco, Peru
Opening Prayer
You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness and truth. -Psalm 86:15 (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.” “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; -Isaiah 49:14-16 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin You, Lord my God, are gracious and compassionate, and You will not turn Your face from me if I return to You. -2 Chronicles 30:9 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him and said to them, “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away.” -Mark 8:1-3 (Think deeply on the life and words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others O Christ, friend of the wounded and the broken, quicken in me empathy and compassion for the needs of the world. Release in me a greater yearning for your healing that is rooted in love and hope. -Apprenticeship to Jesus (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Lord give us your grace and strength to: Fast from hurtful words and speak kind words. Fast from anger and be filled with patience. Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope. Fast from worries and have trust in God. Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity. Fast from bitterness and fill our hearts with joy. Fast from selfishness and be compassionate. Fast from grudges and be reconciled. Fast from words and be silent so we can listen. -Pope Francis (1936- ) 
Kaffrine, Senegal
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