Cycle of prayer

The new Cycle of Prayer came into operation
in Advent 1996; (Bishops’ Conference, Nov
1994.) The liturgical year has been divided
into six periods.

We are asked to use the intentions during the current period, both corporately and in personal prayer, as well as on specific Days of Prayer.

Parish Priests are asked to make the Cycle known by displaying and distributing copies in their churches, and to issue a reminder when a new period of the Cycle begins.

When a Day of Special Prayer occurs on a Sunday, it is sufficient at Mass to announce the Day during the opening remarks and to include a suitable petition in the General Intercessions. Fuller guidance for the implementation of the Cycle will be published by the Liturgy Office in the form of a booklet. Photocopiable prayer leaflets are available from the Liturgy Office priced £1.50.

Liturgy Office,
39 Eccleston Square,
London
SW1V 1PL
Tel: 020 7821 0553
Fax: 020 7630 5166
Email: Liturgy.Office@cbcew.org.uk

Website: www.catholic-ew.org.uk/liturgy/

ADVENT/CHRISTMAS 2006
We are asked to pray for these intentions:
Openness to the Word of God; Migrants and Refugees; Expectant Mothers; Human Life.

Migrants’ Day Sunday 3 December 2006
Bible Sunday Sunday 10 December 2006
(2nd Sunday of Advent).
Expectant Mothers especially on
4th Sunday of Advent, 24 December 2006

ORDINARY TIME: WINTER i.e. up to Lent,
We are asked to pray for these intentions:
Peace on Earth; Christian Unity: The Sick and Their Carers; Students and Teachers;
The Unemployed.

Peace Day Sunday 14 January 2007
(2nd Sunday of the Year.).
Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity
18 - 25 January 2007
World Day of Prayer for the Sick,
Sunday 11 February 2007
Education Day Sunday 4th February 2007 (3rd sunday before Lent).
Europe, on Feast of SS Cyril & Methodius
Wednesday 14 February 2007
Day of Prayer for the Unemployed
Sunday 18 February 2006
(Sunday before 1st Sunday of Lent).

LENT
We are asked to pray for these intentions:
Candidates for the Sacraments (especially on the Sundays of Lent): the Sick and those who care for them: Women; The Needy and Hungry of the World; Penitents and Wanderers.

Candidates for the Sacraments especially on the Sundays of Lent.
Women’s World Day of Prayer Friday 2 March 2007 (1st Friday in March).
CAFOD Lent Fast Day Friday 2 March 2007(Friday 1st week of Lent).

EASTER
We are asked to pray for these intentions:
New Members of the Church, Vocations, Right Use of the Media; The Church; Human Work

Europe, on Feast of St Catherine of Siena Friday 29 Apri 2007
Human Work St Joseph the Worker
Sunday 1 May 2007.
World Day of Prayer for Vocations
Sunday 29 April 2007 (4th Sunday of Easter).
World Communications Day Sunday 28 May 2007
(Sunday after Ascension).
The Church especially at Pentecost, 4 June 2006.

§ CYCLE OF PRAYER - EASTER
We are asked to pray for these intentions:
New Members of the Church, Vocations,
The Right Use of the Media;
the Church;
Human Work
Europe, on Feast of St Catherine of Siena Friday 29 April
Human Work on St Joseph the Worker Sunday 1 May
World Day of Prayer for Vocations
Sun 7 May (4th Sun of Easter).
World Communications Day
Sun 28 May (Sun after Ascension).
The Church especially at Pentecost, 4 June

ORDINARY TIME: SUMMER (to end of August)
We are asked to pray for these intentions:
A Deeper Understanding between Christians and Jews; Those who Suffer Persecution, Oppression and Denial of Human Rights; Europe; Seafarers.

Those who suffer Persecution, Oppression and denial of Human Rights, especially on
Sunday 22 June 2006.
Europe, especially on Feasts of St Benedict, 11 July 2006, St Bridget, 23 July 2006, St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, 9 August 2006.
Deeper understanding between Christians & Jews St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, 9 August 2006.
Human Life on Day for Life Sunday 2 July 2006.
Seafarers on Sea Sunday Sunday 9 July 2006
(2nd Sunday of July).

ORDINARY TIME: AUTUMN
(beginning of September to Christ the King,)
We are asked to pray for these intentions:
The Spread of the Gospel;The Harvest; the Fruits of Human Work and the Reverent Use of Creation; Justice and Peace in the World; All Victims of War; Young People; Prisoners and their Families.

Justice on Racial Justice Day 10 September 2006 (2nd Sunday in September).
Home Mission Day 17 September 2006
(3rd Sunday in September).
World Mission Day Sunday 22 October 2006
(penultimate Sunday in October).
The Harvest, 24 September 2006 (Sunday between 22 - 28 September) or whenever Harvest Festivals are held.
Harvest Fast Day Friday 6 October 2006.
(1st Friday in October).
Remembrance Day Sunday 12 November 2006
(2nd Sunday in November).
Prisoners’ Week 9-15 November 2006.
Day of Prayer for Prisoners and their Dependants
Sunday 19 November (3rd Sunday in November).
Youth Day Sunday 26 November 2006
(Christ the King).

ADVENT/CHRISTMAS
We are asked to pray for these intentions:
Openness to the Word of God; Migrants and Refugees; Expectant Mothers; Human Life.

Migrants’ Day Sunday 3 December 2006.
Bible Sunday Sunday 10 December 2006
(2nd Sunday of Advent).
Expectant Mothers especially on 4th Sunday of Advent, 24 December 2006.


The six periods of the Cycle of Prayer for the year are each repeated in the Liturgical Calendar below at the point in the year the relevant period begins.

Dated Days of Prayer are repeated against the relevant date; the symbol § indicating a reference to the Cycle of Prayer.