Pope Benedict's Prayer Intentions for December 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 December 2008 is "That, faced by the growing expansion of the culture of violence and death, the Church may courageously promote the culture of life through all her apostolic and missionary activities." It's a particularly appropriate intention at a time when the bishops of the United States are warning that the common good is in danger of being undermined by "[a]ggressively pro-abortion policies, legislation and executive orders."

Pope Benedict's mission intention is "That, especially in mission countries, Christians may show through gestures of brotherliness that the Child born in the grotto in Bethlehem is the luminous Hope of the world." As we prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas, we need to remember Christ's call for us to be the light of the world, and to live our lives to bring His salvation to all mankind.

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