This prayer was in preparation for World Youth Day 2019
God our Father, be with us on our pilgrim journey of faith. Give us the grace and courage to step forward in faith and hope on the road ahead.
Open our eyes to see your face in all those we encounter. Open our ears to hear your voice in those who are often ignored. Open our hearts that we might be faithful disciples of mercy and truth.
Transform us. Empower us to give of ourselves to the poor; to welcome the lost; to forgive those who hurt us; to comfort those who suffer and are marginalized.
Bless those who travel from the United States of America to Panamá, to join the universal Church for World Youth Day. Bless, too, those who celebrate stateside, united in faith and joy.
Like the disciples who journeyed up the mountain to witness the Transfiguration, may this experience be an encounter that strengthens us for our work in the world.
Through the intercession of Mary, the Immaculate Conception, patroness of our nation, may we be worthy witnesses of our faith, humble representatives of our country, and inspired missionaries bringing peace, hope, and mercy into our communities.
We ask all this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
St. José Sánchez del Rio, pray for us. St. Juan Diego, pray for us. Bl. Sor María Romero Meneses, pray for us. St. John Bosco, pray for us. Bl. Oscar Arnulfo Romero, pray for us. St. Martin de Porres, pray for us. St. Rose of Lima, pray for us.
St. James the Apostle, patron of pilgrim travelers, pray for us.
St. Kateri Tekakwitha, young faithful witness from our native land, pray for us.
St. Therese of Lisieux, patroness of missionaries, advocate for youth, pray for us.
Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati, patron of young adults, man of the beatitudes, pray for us.
St. John Paul II, founder and patron of World Youth Day, pray for us.