Section:
prayers
Introduction:
The Advent novena, Las Posadas (the inns), begins tonight. Popular in Latin America and the Philippines, this devotion commemorates the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The novena’s custom of processions at night or early dawn weave together Advent’s prayerful vigilance, the virtue of hospitality, and the commitment to social justice so appropriate at this season.
Reprinted from: Sourcebook for Sundays and Seasons 1999 by Peter J. Scagnelli © 1998, Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1-800-933-1800. www.ltp.org. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
Procession:
To enter into the spirit of this feast, your group may want to process through the house with Mary and Joseph, remembering their plight searching for lodging and joining in solidarity with all our homeless sisters and brothers who also long for warmth and shelter.
Hymn Suggestions:
Process to an "inn," while singing one verse of a song.
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Bring Forth The Kingdom (Haugen)
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People Look East (BESANCON)
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We Are Called (Haas)
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The Cry of the Poor (Foley)
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Reading:
1 Samuel 2:1-2
Process to an "inn," while singing one verse of a song.
Process to an "inn," while singing one verse of a song.
Reading:
1 Samuel 2:3-8
Process to an "inn," while singing one verse of a song.
Sit in the gathering space.
Process to an "inn," while singing one verse of a song.
Sit in the gathering space.
Reading:
John 13:34-35
Reflection and faith sharing:
Have I ever experienced homelessness?
How did I feel?
To whom did I go? How was I treated?
Have I ever met a homeless person?
How did I feel?
In what way did I respond?
Are there ways that we as a local community or congregation can alleviate the plight of our poor, homeless sisters and brothers?
How did I feel?
To whom did I go? How was I treated?
Have I ever met a homeless person?
How did I feel?
In what way did I respond?
Are there ways that we as a local community or congregation can alleviate the plight of our poor, homeless sisters and brothers?
Gospel Canticle Antiphon:
Refrain of "The Cry of the Poor" (Foley)
Litany:
Leader: Remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice and let the oppressed go free.
All: The soul of this nation hungers for justice.
All: The soul of this nation hungers for justice.
Leader: Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor.
All: The soul of this nation hungers for compassion.
All: The soul of this nation hungers for compassion.
Leader: Millions of people go homeless each night in cities and towns throughout our country.
All: The soul of this nation hungers for housing.
All: The soul of this nation hungers for housing.
Leader: Homeless people are being criminalized – arrested for sitting on sidewalks, for begging for money, for sleeping on park benches.
All: The soul of this nation hungers for mercy
All: The soul of this nation hungers for mercy
Leader: Homeless people are reviled as outcasts, rejected as untouchables, driven out of our cities and out of our hearts.
All: The soul of the nation hungers for forgiveness and tolerance.
All: The soul of the nation hungers for forgiveness and tolerance.
Leader: We seek to mend the brokenness caused by poverty; we seek to heal the brokenness of our own hardened hearts; we seek an end to the cruel persecution of the poor.
All: The soul of this nation hungers for deliverance from our fear, our greed, from our sinfulness.
All: The soul of this nation hungers for deliverance from our fear, our greed, from our sinfulness.
Our Father
Closing Prayer:
God of the poor and homeless, you gave us Advent hope in sending Jesus your Son to be our Savior. Help us to be grateful for all your gifts to us and give us the courage to share our gifts with the poor of the world. Amen.
Adapted from the opening prayer service for A Fast for Justice, Religious Witness with Homeless People, an interfaith coalition based in San Francisco, organized in 1995. Used with permission.
