ARRUPE JESUIT UNIVERSITY
POPE’S WORLDWIDE PRAYER NETWORK
- Introduction
The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, the largest prayer-group in the Catholic Church, exists to encourage prayer and action for the challenges facing humanity and the mission of the Church, expressed in the Pope’s monthly prayer intentions.
It’s the Pope’s personal prayer-group, an official pontifical work entrusted to the Jesuits (Society of Jesus). It’s a “Way of the Heart”, a mission of compassion for the world that anyone can join. It has a youth wing called the Eucharistic Youth Movement (EYM). Pope St. John Paul II loved the Prayer Network, calling it “a precious treasure from the Pope’s heart and the Heart of Christ.”
- Origins
The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network (formally known as ‘Apostleship of Prayer’) traces its origins to 1844, to a house of formation of young Jesuits (like Arrupe Jesuit University Community) in Vals-près-le-Puy, in southern France. It was suggested to young Jesuits as a “way of being apostles and missionaries in their daily lives, uniting with Christ in every action they would have done during the day.” This suggestion came after the young Jesuits in formation in Vals-près-le-Puy heard about the inspiring missionary work in distant countries, but experienced sadness and discouragement at the long years they had to wait before ordination to be able to go for such missions. Their studies became endless, the examinations dry, time spent in community life became useless, prayer became routine and apostolates had no account. Most of us may relate to such an experience, not just as young men and women in formation, but also as collaborators with the Society of Jesus and other students. At times, a frustration at not being able to actively participate in missions can be disorienting from our present duties.
The Prayer Network came to fill that gap. It invites everyone to make the same choice, to hear the same call from our Lord, and to exude the same passionate love, to share the same mission as those missionaries in mission lands, but in a different form. The Prayer Network came to these young Jesuits, and to us now, as a way of being missionaries in this present moment. Through a simple offering to God, of every action, of every thought, of every sorrowful or joyful experience throughout the day, we make ourselves available to God in order to do our everyday duties well. The Prayer Network offers us the opportunity to be greatly engaged in missionary activity through prayer, even as we carry out our daily work well, as students, lecturers and all other fellow collaborators with the Society of Jesus. We begin to live well “ever to love and to serve” in all things we do (Sp. Ex. 233). We realize the true meaning of being men and women for others by divesting our time to pray for something that has nothing to do with our individual needs.
- How to Participate
- Open Form. This is open to everyone to participate in the following ways:
(i). The Pope’s Prayer Intentions in Daily Prayer.
The following prayer, followed by the Pope’s intention for that month is said every morning:
God, our Father, I offer you my day, I offer you my prayers, thoughts, words, actions, joys and sufferings in union with your Son Jesus Christ who continues to offer himself in the Eucharist, for the salvation of the world. May the Holy Spirit who guided Jesus, be my guide and my strength today so that I may witness to your love. With Mary, the Mother of the Lord and of the Church. I pray especially for this month’s intention as proposed by the Holy Father:
(Pray the particular intention for the month)
The AJUC Prayer Network (AJUC PWPN) hopes to make this prayer available in hard copies for ease of use.
(ii). The Monthly Day of Prayer for the Pope’s Intention
In collaboration with the Spiritual Father and the Students Association, the AJUC PWPN would like to invite all students, members of staff and all people of good will to the University Mass on the first Fridays of each month to reflect on the intention of the Holy Father for that month. This shall be our monthly day of prayer dedicated to the intentions.
- Other Activities
In collaboration with the Regional Coordinator, Fr. Grant Tungay, SJ, we hope to have various spiritual activities, like the ‘Way of the Heart’ Retreat.
- Our Projects
Currently, our major project is to produce a reflection for each month’s prayer for circulation on various media platforms and in various formats such as videos, audios, fliers, etc.
All students, and members of staff of Arrupe Jesuit University are encouraged to join the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network on campus, to pray for the intentions of the Pope which are published monthly. The intentions (and their reflections) shall be made available to all Arrupeans through various media platforms. Let’s mention the monthly intentions during community Masses, liturgy of the hours and personal prayers. Visit the following websites for more information on the Prayer Network:
For Further details contact:
Mr. Martin Kundari, SJ Fr. Grant Tungay, SJ
Arrupe Jesuit University Community Regional Coordinator
+233552234091/+263781922659 +27 606558559
martin.kundari@aju.ac.zw popesprayer@jesuitssouthern.africa
Be part of this great army of men and women around the world; united in prayer, storming the heavens everyday with prayers. Imagine what great difference this could bring, men and women united in prayer against the many issues affecting the world today.
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