Throughout the United States today, millions of American Catholics have begun a novena for our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. The novena is an effort by the Knights of Columbus to raise prayers and support for the Supreme Pontiff who has been attacked over the last several weeks regarding clerical sexual abuse scandals within the church. Please join us in praying for our German Shepherd.

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd, Benedict, a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and Vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love and peace for all the world. Amen.

V/ Let us pray for Benedict, the pope.

R/ May the Lord preserve him, give him a long life, make him blessed upon the earth, and not hand him over to the power of his enemies.

V/ May your hand be upon your holy servant.

R/ And upon your son, whom you have anointed.

Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…

SOURCE: Knights of Columbus

PHOTO: Knights of Columbus