Dear Pope John, Your Simplicity and meekness
carried the scent of God and
sparked in people's hearts the desire for goodness.
You spoke often of the beauty
of the family gathered around the table
to share bread and faith: pray for us
that once again true families would live in our homes.
With outstretched hands you sowed hope,
and you taught us to listen
for God's footsteps as he prepares a
new humanity:
help us have a healthy optimism
of defeating evil with good.
You loved the world with its light and darkness,
and you believed that peace is possible:
help us be intruments of peace
at home and in our communities.
With parental gentleness you gave
all children a caress:
you moved the world and reminded us
that hands have been given to us
not for striking, but for embracing and drying tears.
Pray for us so that we do not
limit ourselves to cursing the darkness
but that we bring the light,
bringing Jesus everywhere and always praying to Mary.
Amen.