The Cycle of Prayer

The current Cycle of Prayer came into operation for Advent 1996 (Bishop's Conference, November 1994). 
For this purpose the church's year has been divided into six distinct periods which mirror both the liturgical 
year and the seasons of the year:

  Advent/Christmas 
  Ordinary Time - Winter
  Lent
  Easter
  Ordinary Time Summer
  Ordinary Time Autumn

During each of these periods we are asked to pray for the intentions specified for the specific 
period, both corporately and in personal prayer, as well on specifically nominated days of prayer.

The following notes are taken from those provided by the Liturgy Office for England and Wales and 
provide a framework for our prayers within the context of the liturgical year. Specific Days of Prayer 
indicated below have been indicated in the calendar pages by [CP].

Please note that the day of Prayer for Human Life shall be particularly on the First Sunday of July.  

Ordinary Time - Winter/Spring 2010

Intentions: 
  Peace on Earth; Christian Unity. 
  The Sick and those who care for them. 
  Students and teachers; the Un-employed.

      18th-25th January     Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity
Sunday	   17th Peace day
Sunday	   31st January	    Education Day
Thursday  11th February     World Day for the Sick
Saturday   14th February    Europe (on the feast of Ss Cyril & Methodius
                                    -- see note for the Summer period)
Sunday	   14th February	Day for the Un-employed

------------------Last Year - to be edited out)--------------------
Ordinary Time Autumn 2008

Intentions: 
  The spread of the gospel; The harvest; 
  The Fruits of Human Work and the Reverant use of Creation; 
  Justice and Peace in the World; All Victims of War; 
  Young People; Prisoners and their Families.

Sunday	 9th September	Racial Justice Day
Sunday	16th September	Home Mission Day
Sunday	23rd September	The Harvest
Friday	 5th October	Harvest Fast day
Sunday	21st October	World Mission Day
    9th-15th November	Prisoners' Week
Sunday	11th November	Remembrance Sunday
Sunday	18th November	Day of Prayer for Prisoners & their Dependents
Sunday	25th November	Youth Day

Back to Calendar

Ordinary Time - Winter 2009

Intentions: 
  Peace on Earth; Christian Unity. 
  The Sick and those who care for them. 
  Students and teachers; the Un-employed.

      18th-25th January     Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity
Sunday	   18th January	    Peace day
Sunday	    8th February    Education Day
Wednesday  11th February    World Day for the Sick
Saturday   14th February    Europe (on the feast of Ss Cyril & Methodius
                                    -- see note for the Summer period)
Sunday	   22nd February	Day for the Un-employed

Back to Calendar

Lent 2009

Intentions: 
  Candidates for the Sacraments; Women; 
  The Needy and Hungry of the World; 
  Penitents and Wanderers

All Sundays of Lent:   Candidates for the Sacraments
Friday	7th March      Women's World Day of Prayer
Friday 15th February   Lent Fast Day (Family Fast Day)

Back to Calendar

Easter 2009

Intentions:
  New Members of the Church; Vocations; 
  The Right Use of the Media; The Church; Human Work

Wednesday 29th April  Europe (on the feast of St Catherine of Siena)
Friday     1st May    St Joseph the Worker (1st May)
Sunday	   3rd May    World day of prayer for Vocations (4th Sunday of Easter)
Sunday	  24th May    World Communications Day (Ascension)
Sunday	  31st May    The Church (especially at this time, Pentecost)

Back to Calendar

Ordinary Time Summer 2009

Intentions:
  A deeper understanding between Christians and Jews; 
  Those who suffer Persecution, Oppression and Denial of Human Rights;
  Europe, Human Life; Seafarers
  
  Europe, (especially on the feasts of Ss Benedict, 
           Brigid and Teresa Benedicta of the Cross - see below) 
           also on the feasts of Ss Cyril and Methodius (on 14 February) 
           and St Catherine of Siena (on 29 April);

Monday    22nd June   Ss John Fisher & Thomas More
Sunday     5th July   Day for Life
Saturday  11th July   St Benedict	
Sunday    12th July   Sea Sunday 
Thursday  23rd July   St Brigid 
Sunday     9th August St Benedicta of the Cross	

Back to Calendar

Ordinary Time Autumn 2009

Intentions: 
  The spread of the gospel; The harvest; 
  The Fruits of Human Work and the Reverant use of Creation; 
  Justice and Peace in the World; All Victims of War; 
  Young People; Prisoners and their Families.

Sunday	13th September	Racial Justice Day
Sunday	20th September	Home Mission Day
Friday	28th September	The Harvest
Sunday	27th September  Harvest Fast day
Sunday	19th October	World Mission Day
    9th-15th November	Prisoners' Week
Sunday	 8th November	Remembrance Sunday
Sunday	15th November	Day of Prayer for Prisoners & their Dependents
Sunday	23rd November	Youth Day

Back to Calendar

Advent/Christmas 2009

Intentions: 
  Openess to the Word of God; Migrants and Refugees, 
  Expectant Mothers, Peace on Earth

Thursday 3rd December	Migrants' Day
Sunday	  6th December	Bible Sunday
Sunday	 20th December	Expectant Mothers


Ordinary Time - Winter/Spring 2010

Intentions: 
  Peace on Earth; Christian Unity. 
  The Sick and those who care for them. 
  Students and teachers; the Un-employed.

      18th-25th January     Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity
Sunday	   17th Peace day
Sunday	   31st January	    Education Day
Thursday  11th February     World Day for the Sick
Saturday   14th February    Europe (on the feast of Ss Cyril & Methodius
                                    -- see note for the Summer period)
Sunday	   14th February	Day for the Un-employed