February 2012

Pope Benedict's Monthly Prayer Intentions

General Intention: That all peoples may have access to water and other resources needed for daily life.

Mission Intention: That the Lord may sustain the efforts of health workers assisting the sick and elderly in the world's poorest regions.

Monthly Notes

The month of February includes an important liturgical transition from Ordinary Time to Lent. This year, Ash Wednesday will fall on February 22.

The worldwide observance of the day for Consecrated Life begins the month on the second. In the United States this celebration is transferred to the following Sunday. It is an opportunity to recognize the life of those men and women who have consecrated their lives to God by following the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience. We rely on these brothers and sisters for their prayers and their ministry enriches the Church as they live their lives in conformity with the life of Christ. May more young people hear God's call to this vocation.

The World Day of the Sick is on February 11 each year when the Church celebrates Our Lady of Lourdes. In his message this year, Pope Benedict XVI said: "I wish to encourage sick people and the suffering always to find a safe anchor in faith, nourished by listening to the Word of God, by personal prayer and by the sacraments, while I invite pastors to be increasingly ready to celebrate them for the sick. Following the example of the Good Shepherd and as guides of the flocks entrusted to them, priests should be full of joy, attentive to the weakest, the simple and sinners, expressing the infinite mercy of God with reassuring words of hope."

World Marriage Day is on Sunday, February 12, an important opportunity to highlight this essential vocation to the life of the Church.

In ecclesial life, the most significant event this month will be the creation of 22 new cardinals by Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday, February 18. Eighteen of the new cardinals are under the age of 80 and thus eligible to vote in a papal conclave.