As Christians we are called to give witness to our beliefs. We are fortunate to have role models for guidance. We call them saints, holy people of God. To honor a saint is to praise God. We do not praise saints, not even Mary. We pray to saints that they may intercede on our behalf to God. All prayer petitions ultimately go to God. Prayer and devotions to saints are ways of expressing closeness with them.


"Called to Be Saints" Prayer Celebration Notes

Focus		Seeing saints as models to be imitated
Materials		Prayer table, Bible, candle, music including instrumental for meditation, liturgy copies
Reading		1 John 3:1-3, 18; Psalm 26:2-12
Music		"We Are Called," "We Are the Hope," "With Hope and Healing," [Meditation Track] Blest Are We CD 7-8; "With Rejoicing Hearts," Jaime Cortez, (OCP Publications); "For All the Saints," William W. How, (Oxford University Press)
Preparation		Select a leader and a Scripture reader, and assign sides for the antiphonal reading. Print out and photocopy the liturgy, "Called to Be Saints," for participants. Discuss the meditation process with participants if they are unfamiliar with it. Select instrumental music and practice reading the Meditation (below).
Meditation		Sit quietly and comfortably with your eyes closed. Take slow, deep breaths to clear your mind and calm your body. Listen to the sound of your even breathing. (Pause.) Repeat in your mind the phrase, "Search me O Lord and try me, test me in both heart and mind." Think of your actions over the past week.(Pause.) Would anything there not be pleasing to God? Ask God’s forgiveness for any weaknesses. Think of better ways to address the challenge of last week. Listen to your breathing. (Pause.) Think now of times last week when you did show God’s love through your words or actions. (Pause.) Give thanks to God for the grace to do so. Focus on the phrase, "Search me O Lord, and try me, test me in both heart and mind." (Pause.) Slowly open your eyes.
Additional Materials		For a full year of liturgies, from which this one was adapted, see Prayer Celebrations, Middle School Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-30570-1 Blest Are We Music CD, Levels 7 & 8 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36394-9 Blest Are We Audio Cassette, Levels 7 & 8 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-364534-6 Blest Are We Song Book for Grades 1-8, School Edition Words and melody for students; contains music for grades 1-6 (school) and 7-8 (parish and school) Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36617-4 Blest Are We Accompaniment Book for Grades 1-8, School Edition Contains accompaniment music for grades 1-6 (school) and 7-8 (parish and school) Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36618-2