Many Catholics when they awake each morning include in their prayers what we call "The Morning Offering." We pause to tell Jesus that we intend to live this day for him and his mission of bringing everyone to know and serve God. I have heard variations of the way this prayer is said. One that I have said for many years goes this way.
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you all my thoughts, words and actions of this day, for all intentions of Thy Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in reparation for my sins, for the intentions of all our associates, and in particular for the intentions of Our Holy Father.
We then mention the Pope's intention for the current month. The intention of Pope Benedict XVI for the month of October strikes out on a need for us in our times. Many studies show a low percentage of us Catholics regularly participating in Sunday Mass. Pray for the Pope's intention with sincerity this month.
That Sunday may be lived as the day when Christians gather to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord by participating in the Eucharist.
Bishop William Houck is the president emeritus of the Catholic Extension Society and the retired shepherd of the Diocese of Jackson, Mississippi.
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