Special Prayers for the Pope

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The Archdiocese of New York is uniting in prayer as it prepares for the Feb. 28 resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, and for the conclave to elect his successor. On Wednesday, Feb. 20, the parishes of the archdiocese began a novena, nine days of special prayer, which will conclude on Thursday, Feb. 28.

This special prayer is being recited at the conclusion of the Prayers of the Faithful at every Mass:

O God, who chose your servant Benedict
in succession to the Apostle Peter
as shepherd of the whole flock,
look favorably on the supplications of your people
and grant that, as Vicar of Christ on earth,
he may confirm his brethren
and that the whole Church
may be in communion with him
in the bond of unity, love and peace,
so that in you, the shepherd of souls,
all may know the truth and attain life eternal.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Special Masses and Eucharistic adoration are being celebrated on Friday, Feb. 22, the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, the day in every year in which special thanks are given to God for the mission entrusted to the Apostle Peter and his successors in guiding the Universal Church. The faithful of the archdiocese are encouraged to offer special prayers of thanksgiving for the ministry of Pope Benedict XVI, for his continued health and for his successor.

A special Mass for the intentions of the Pope and for the Church during this time of transition will be celebrated in St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 2 p.m. on Feb. 28, the exact time at which Pope Benedict will formally resign his ministry as pope. Parishes have been asked to toll their bells at that same time, and then not ring them again until the new pope is elected.

Click on the attachment below to view a PDF of Catholic New York's special section on Pope Benedict XVI's resignation.