Day 5: Companions Laboring in the Vineyard

Day 5 Companions Laboring in the Vineyard

OPENING HYMN

Sing of Him (Bob Dufford, SJ) or Panginoon ay Purihin (SIlvino Borres, Jr., SJ – Nemy Que, SJ) or Sing of Him (Dan Schutte)

INTRODUCTION TO THE CELEBRATION

P. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit .
A. Amen.

If the presider is a priest or deacon:
P. The Lord be with you.
A. And also with you.

We recall today how the first companions began in their missionary labors, sowing the first seeds of our apostolate that has now spread throughout the world, asking that we may also have some share in their passion for the greater glory of God.

A moment of silence is observed.

PRAYER OF PRAISE

P. When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."
A. The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.
P. Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the watercourses in the Negeb! May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy!
A. He that goes forth weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalm 126)

P. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
A. As it was in the beginning is now and will be for ever. Amen.

GRACE OF THE DAY
We beg for the grace always to strive to give glory to God and cooperate with Christ in establishing his Father’s Kingdom.

SCRIPTURE READING

From the Holy Gospel according to John 15: 1-8

My Father is glorified by your bearing much fruit and becoming my disciples.

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.

I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

MEDITATION SONG

Prayer of Rupert Mayer or Your Heart Today (Manoling Francisco, SJ)
The meditation song may be preceded or replaced by a homily or sharing, or a period of silent prayer.

REFLECTION

Our old friend, Diego de Gouvea had suggested to the King of Portugal, John III, that he send to India the Parisian Masters he knew so well. “Either all of them or at least some of them,” he had said. The choice fell on Bobadilla and Simão Rodrigues. But Bobadilla was preaching a mission in Calabria; he arrived on March 14, but he was so ill that he could not leave with the ambassador the following day, as the latter was insisting. Only one of the Masters of Paris—Master Francis—was left and in those days he was the secretary of the Society. Ignatius, who himself was ill, called him and said to him: “Master Francis, you know that by order of His Holiness two of our men must go to India and we have chosen Master Bobadilla to be one of them, but he is unable to go on account of his illness, nor can the ambassador wait till he recovers. It is your task now.” Francis’ reply was immediate: “Well then, here I am.”

With these words he accepted his mission. Then he began to repair “some old socks and I do not know what little else,” and after that he went to the Vatican to ask for the Pope’s blessing. (Ignacio Echaniz, SJ, Passion and Glory: A flesh-and blood history of the Society of Jesus. Vol 1: Spring, 1529-1581. India: Gujarat Sahitya Prakash, 1999. p. 39)

DAILY PRAYER

Please refer to First Day.

INTERCESSIONS

In doing their work with joy and zeal for the glory of God and the Kingdom of Christ, the first companions gave us a most eminent example of magnanimity in the Lord’s service. Let us pray to the Father of Jesus, confident that he will give us all that we ask in His Name:

R. Lord, teach us to serve you.

1. For our Holy Father, N. the bishops, the clergy and all God’s holy people. That we may tirelessly preach the Good News of Christ in joyful proclamation of the Gospel and by loving service to others. Let us pray to the Lord.
2. For our government leaders and all public servants. That they may seek always to serve and not to be served. Let us pray to the Lord.
3. For our Society. That following the example of the first companions, we may burn with fervor for the glory of God and do our work in the Lord’s vineyard with generosity and gladness. Let us pray to the Lord.
4. For missionaries. That they may be strengthened and sustained in the task of integral evangelization and make the saving love of Christ truly known and felt, Let us pray to the Lord.
5. For those who work for the welfare of others. That they may cling to Christ as branches to the vine and be sustained in their commitment to loving service of their needy brethren. Let us pray to the Lord.
6. For our community and all of us gathered here. That we may always do our work conscientiously, bearing in mind the call of the magis, ad majorem Dei gloriam. Let us pray to the Lord.

Our Father…

CLOSING PRAYER

God our Father, you call us to serve you and to give glory to your Name in Jesus your Son. Grant us the strength to do your will. By the prayers of Ignatius, Francis and Peter, help us to persevere in your service and in the service of your people.

We ask this in the Name of Jesus the Lord.

A. Amen.


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