LITURGY OF WELCOMING THE PILGRIMS

GOSPEL Matthew 4: 12-17.23-25
Hearing that John had been arrested he withdrew to Galilee, and leaving Nazareth he went and settled in Capernaum, beside the lake, on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali! Way of the sea beyond Jordan. Galilee of the nations! The people that lived in darkness have seen a great light; on those who lived in a country of shadow dark as death a light has dawned.

From then onwards Jesus began his proclamation with the message, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is close at hand.’ He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing all kinds of disease and illness among the people.

His fame spread throughout Syria, and those who were suffering from diseases and painful complaints of one kind or another, the possessed, epileptics, the paralyzed, were all brought to him, and he cured them. Large crowds followed him, coming from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judaea and Transjordan.
The Word of the Lord.

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
V. With all our faith let us call on God who is the beginning and the end of all roads.
R. Lord, hear our prayer
V. Holy Father, you are the light and guide of Your people in their desert pilgrimage, watch over our paths, so that being free from all danger, we could reach our destinations and get back to our homes safely, let us pray to the Lord…
R. Lord, hear our prayer
V. You, Who gave Your only Son, as the Way leading us to You, grant that, we may follow Him faithfully and persistently, through our life, let us pray to the Lord…
R. Lord, hear our prayer
V. You, Who gave us, in the person of the Virgin Mary, the picture and model of faithfulness to Christ, grant that, we may renew our lives by following her example, let us pray to the Lord…
R. Lord, hear our prayer
V. You, Who through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, are leading the Church on a pilgrimage in the world towards You, grant that, we may be guided in our life, above all, by Your commandments, let us pray to the Lord…
R. Lord, hear our prayer
V. You, Who invite us to walk in the paths of justice and peace, grant that, we, after our earthly pilgrimage, may contemplate Your presence with the saints and the blessed in heaven, let us pray to the Lord…
R. Lord, hear our prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Pater noster, qui es in caelis sanctificetur nomen tuum; adveniat regnum tuum; fiat voluntas tua sicut in caelo et in terra; panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie; et dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris; et ne nos inducas in tentationem; sed libera nos a malo. Amen.