Please click here to enroll your Mass and Prayer card intentions
(cards bought at SM and partner stores- with code)
Avail of CLCP E-Mass Card/Prayer Cards here.
CLCP PRAYER APOSTOLATE
With spirituality as a pillar of the Christian Life Community of the Philippines (CLCP), prayer has become an ingrained element in the lives of its members. These prayers find expression in the different apostolic works carried out by the members. Ignited by a desire to expand its apostolic life to include prayer as one of its primary apostolates, the CLCP explored creating Mass cards and prayer cards that will allow people to share their personal intentions and let CLCP serve as prayer warriors to those enrolled. Partner priests were also tapped to celebrate Masses for those enrolled.
With more and more people trusting CLCP with their prayer needs, the community decided to expand its reach by making the Mass and prayer cards available in the different SM outlets around the country.
WHY PRAY FOR THE LIVING
Praying for fellow living beings is a practice taught to us by Jesus Himself. Just as He prayed to the Father on behalf of all of us, so are we all called to pray on behalf of each other. This is a practice of charity, which creates in the person a heart attuned to the Lord. This is called intercessory prayer, which is defined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC).
2634 Intercession is a prayer of petition which leads us to pray as Jesus did. He is the one intercessor with the Father on behalf of all men, especially sinners. He is "able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them." The Holy Spirit "himself intercedes for us . . . and intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."
2635 Since Abraham, intercession - asking on behalf of another has been characteristic of a heart attuned to God's mercy. In the age of the Church, Christian intercession participates in Christ's, as an expression of the communion of saints. In intercession, he who prays looks "not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others," even to the point of praying for those who do him harm.
The concept of intercessory prayer is backed up by the theology on the communion of the Church where we are all considered sons and daughters of God, forming one family in Christ, whether living or dead. The CCC states,
954 All of us, however, in varying degrees and in different ways share in the same charity towards God and our neighbors, and we all sing the one hymn of glory to our God. All, indeed, who are of Christ and who have his Spirit form one Church and in Christ cleave together.
962 "We believe in the communion of all the faithful of Christ, those who are pilgrims on earth, the dead who are being purified, and the blessed in heaven, all together forming one Church; and we believe that in this communion, the merciful love of God and his saints is always [attentive] to our prayers."
WHY PRAY FOR THE DEAD
Praying for the dead is a practice that dates back to the Old Testament. The second book of Maccabees tells the story of Judas and his companions who discovered amulets sacred to idols under the tunics of their fallen soldiers. Jews were forbidden by the law to wear those things, so Judas and his companions prayed that the sin of the fallen soldiers may be forgiven, and a sacrifice was offered for their expiation (2 Macc 39-46). Catholics adopt this in line with the belief of communion of the Church of heaven and earth, which states that all disciples of God, whether on earth, undergoing purification or in glory with the Lord, share in charity with God and one another (CCC 954). The dead are particularly remembered through prayers to cleanse them from their sins. CCC 958 states,
958 Communion with the dead. "In full consciousness of this communion of the whole Mystical Body of Jesus Christ, the Church in its pilgrim members, from the very earliest days of the Christian religion, has honored with great respect the memory of the dead; and 'because it is a holy and a wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins' she offers her suffrages for them." Our prayer for them is capable not only of helping them, but also of making their intercession for us effective.
This practice of praying for the dead is further emphasized by the theology on purgatory. CCC 1030 and 1032 respectively state,
1030 All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.
1032 This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: "Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin." From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God. The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead:
Let us help and commemorate them. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.
The Catechism for Filipino Catholics, a document that adapts the CCC to the Philippine context, confirms our call to offer prayers for our beloved departed brethren. As it states in CFC 51,
51. ... In Christ's Spirit, we Catholic Filipinos, inspired by Mary, the Holy Virgin, our Mother, are confirmed in our witness to Jesus by our service of our brethren, and our persevering prayer for our beloved dead.
Thus, the CLCP's apostolate of intercessory prayer is rooted in longstanding tradition and is united with the mission of the universal Church.
BENEFITS OF AVAILING CLCP MASS AND PRAYER CARDS
Regular Masses are being offered by our partner priests for the enrollees of the Mass and Prayer Card intentions. In addition, they are remembered in the daily prayers of the CLCP staff and regular Masses and individual prayers of CLCP members and friends. These prayers provide spiritual consolation not only to those enrolled, but also to those who have enrolled them. The prayers bring all the intentions into the communion of saints.
By availing of CLCP Mass card and Prayer Cards, you are also supporting CLCP's apostolic mission to bring about maturity in faith and social justice through spiritual formation for social transformation.
TYPES OF AVAILABLE CARDS
1. Perpetual Mass cards: for the eternal repose of souls. The enrolled person is included in the perpetual Masses and prayers of CLCP. This is for those who have lost a loved one.
a) Physical/Printed Mass cards
b) E-Mass card: Click Here
2. Prayer cards: Those enrolled in the prayer cards will be included in the Masses and prayers being offered for one year from the date of enrollment.
a) Physical/Printed Prayer cards
b) E-Prayer card: Click Here
WHERE TO GET THE MASS AND PRAYER CARDS
DONATE
Your generosity towards the CLC mission is greatly appreciated. To support the CLC mission, please visit https://clcphilippines.org/support-our-mission.
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