# Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive – Day Three Walking in Praise
*2015-09-27*

> Bill reflects on Pope Francis’ final U.S. visit, shares prayers for discipleship, family, and care for our common home, and honors St. Vincent de Paul.

## Pope Francis’ Visit and Its Highlights

Good morning, I’m Bill Young. Today, September 27, marks the last day of Pope Francis’ U.S. trip, with his final Mass in Philadelphia. He has spoken about the sisters who serve the Church, even meeting a pair of biological sisters who are both religious. He also addressed the abuse scandal, meeting survivors and promising accountability. It’s a hopeful sign that we can move forward, focusing on love for God and one another.

## Prayer of Discipleship

Loving God, thank you for choosing me to be your disciple and for the gift of your Son, Jesus. Help me proclaim and bear witness to the Gospel by word and deed, today and every day. Open my heart to the outcast, the forgotten, the lonely, the sick, and the poor. Grant me the courage to live joyfully obedient to you.

## St. Vincent de Paul and the Family Prayer

Today is the feast day of St. Vincent de Paul, a saint who devoted his life to the poorest. Let us ask his intercession for Pope Francis and for all of us.

Heavenly Father, you gave us the love and strength of families to mirror your love for the human family. May every family be moved to renew its bonds, to fellowship, and to love all whom they meet. We ask this in the name of Jesus, your Son, our Brother and Savior. Amen.

## Walking in Praise: Caring for Our Common Home

Today we continue the third day of our “Walking in Praise” series, reflecting on Pope Francis’ call to care for our common home. He reminds us that stewardship is not ownership; our endless consumption harms those who depend on the land and water for their livelihood. Let us pray for greater awareness of how our choices affect others and the earth.

God, our Creator, forgive us for taking for granted the conveniences many long for. Help us to choose wisely and live in harmony with your plan. Amen.

## Traditional Prayers

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

*May we follow Pope Francis’ example by loving the least, protecting our common home, and keeping our families alive in Christ’s love.*