Pope Benedict's Prayer Intentions for November 2008

Each month, Pope Benedict XVI announces his special prayer intentions--particular things that he wishes all Catholics to pray for that month. (When, for instance, we pray the rosary and say the prayers at the end for the intentions of the Holy Father, these are the intentions for which we're praying.)

Pope Benedict offers two intentions every month, one general, and one for a particular Catholic missionary activity. His general prayer intention for November 2008 is "That the testimony of love offered by the saints may fortify Christians in their devotion to God and their neighbor, imitating Christ who came to serve and not to be served." In this month that starts with the Feast of All Saints, we should turn to the saints in prayer, resolving to follow their example.

Pope Benedict's mission intention is "That the Christian communities of Asia, contemplating the face of Christ, may know how to find the most suitable ways to announce Him, in full faithfulness to the Gospel, to the people of that vast continent so rich in culture and ancient forms of spirituality." To that end, we might add a Prayer for Unbelievers to our daily prayers this month, to assist in the good works of Asian Catholics who are trying to bring their neighbors to Christ. And for the particular intentions of Catholics in China, we could pray the Prayer to Our Lady of Sheshan that was composed by Pope Benedict himself in May 2008.

(Photo by Maurizio Brambatti-Pool/Getty Images)