Liturgy

Catholic communities throughout New Zealand are responding to Pope Leo’s invitation to gather and pray for peace this weekend as war and violence continues across the world.

Speaking at St Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, Pope Leo said: “Let us allow ourselves to be transformed by the peace of Christ! Let us make heard the cry for peace that springs from our hearts!”

He followed those words with an invitation to join him in St Peter’s Square on April 11 to pray of peace. For those scattered across the globe, local initiatives have emerged.

Catholic parishes in New Zealand are encouraged to take 10 minutes after each Mass this weekend to participate in a liturgy focused on peace. The prayers can also be prayed in other contexts, including schools, family homes, hospitals and aged care facilities.

The prayer resources, in PowerPoint format, can be found here: https://bit.ly/NZPeacePrayerPPT 

The prayer resources, as a PDF, can be found here: https://bit.ly/NZPeacePrayerPDF 

Fr Simon Eccleton, the administrator of St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral in Christchurch, said 

“So many people feel helpless in the face of what is happening, prayer is a meaningful response to that sense of helplessness, and a chance to gather as a community to lift our hearts and voices to God, seeking his intercession.”

🙏🕊️ 🌍

Chris Skinner's Hopetoun Ordinary Mass Setting on the National Liturgy Office Website

Frequently Used Mass Settings by New Zealand composers on the National Liturgy Office Website

• Lector Guidelines - practical ways to best proclaim the Word of God when reading at Mass.

• Prayers of the Faithful and Prayers of Intercession Guidelines

• A Guide to the Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion.