Blessed for the opportunity to give the Benediction at tonight's Clergy & Religious Appreciation Dinner tonight. Also, we got a selfie with Bishop Joe Vásquez!
Below is the text of my Benediction. #VivatJesus
. . .
Loving and merciful Father,
We give you praise and glory for the opportunity to serve your people in the Diocese of Austin. Help us to share the Way, the Truth, and the Life of our Lord Jesus Christ to all we encounter with charity in our hearts.
O Lord, we are grateful to you for our shepherd, Bishop Joe Vásquez, for his servant leadership and compassion for us and the faithful in the Diocese of Tyler, whom you have entrusted to his loving and pastoral care. We humbly ask that you continue to bless his Episcopate, his family, his Vicars who help him govern the Diocese, as well as his staff and all their families.
Protect all priests, deacons, religious brothers and sisters, and seminarians from the snares of the Devil and help them to resist all his empty promises. Raise up among your people in the Diocese of Austin devoted men and women who will courageously answer your call to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life.
Strengthen the faith of the laity, that they may hear and answer your call to serve the Catholic Church in Austin. May they find in you the freedom to share their time, talents, and treasures, serving their neighbors joyfully. We especially lift up in prayers all Knights of Columbus and their families; that they may continue to be bold witnesses of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism in all that they do.
Protect and preserve the sanctity of life, the holiness of marriage between one man and one woman, and the dignity of the family - the domestic church - so that all children may come to love and adore you, O Lord, and to know of your love for them in the love of their fathers and mothers, and flourish In their vocations.
O Lord, through the outpouring of grace from your Holy Spirit, may we courageously answer the call to the vocation to which you have called us to in life, so that we may live out our baptismal call as priest, prophet, and king, always faithful to you and the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church of your Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We ask all this through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary as we pray. . . Hail Mary. . .
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. May Almighty God bless you. . . + the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Go in peace.
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