Pope Benedict's Prayer for China

Father Eamonn O'Brien from Cultural Exchange with China, writes: "May 24th is the date designated by Pope Benedict XVI for us to pray together with the Church in China. Please share this prayer with your friends. Perhaps you could involve your local church communities vy asking your Parish Priest to include this prayer in the Prayer of the Faithful on Sunday May 22nd or May 29th.

Prayer for China to Our Lady of Sheshan

by Pope Benedict (abridged)

Virgin Most Holy, Mother of the incarnate Word and our Mother, venerated in the Shrine of Sheshan under the title: 'Help of Christians', the entire Church in China looks to you with devout affection.

Our Lady of Sheshan, sustain all those in China, who, amid their daily trials, continue to believe, to hope, to love. May they never be afraid to speak of Jesus to the world, and of the world to Jesus. In the statue overlooking the Shrine you lift your Son on high, offering him to the world with open arms in a gesture of love.

Help Catholics always to be credible witnesses to this love, ever clinging to the rock of Peter on which the Church is built.

Mother of Chine and all Asia, pray for us now and for ever.

Amen

Read more about Cultural Exchange with China here: www.cecchina.co.uk