Papal Intentions For June

As the month of June begins, let us remember Pope Francis’s intentions in our prayers.

His universal intention for the month is for immigrants and refugees, that they “may find welcome and respect in the countries to which they come.”

The Holy Father also asks us to pray for vocations, or more specifically, “that the personal encounter with Jesus may arouse in many young people the desire to offer their own lives in priesthood or consecrated life.”

So let us join Pope Francis in praying for immigrants, refugees, and vocations this month.

Saint John Paul II, Pray for Us!

Catholic unity in the American Church

The last round of U.S. Bishops made their ad limina visit this past week, and Pope Benedict XVI was pleased to greet bishops of the Eastern Churches of the United States. Their presence represented the rich diversity of the Church in America, the pontiff said, which is something that needs to be fostered and preserved. This Catholic unity should not be forgotten, especially when working with immigrants and consecrated women. He said:

...the Church in America has struggled to recognize and incorporate this diversity, and has succeeded, not without difficulty, in forging a communion in Christ and in the apostolic faith which mirrors the catholicity which is an indefectible mark of the Church.

We are one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church, and Pope Benedict XVI reminded U.S. Bishops that it must be kept this way in the American Church.

Check out the New Evangelization page of the Blessed John Paul II Shrine website for more messages from Pope Benedict XVI.