Prayer for CAFOD during its 60th year and for the women who began us

2022 marked 60 years since CAFOD became an official charity following the creation of the first Family Fast Day by CAFOD’s founding mothers. This prayer was written to give thanks for the role of women’s organisations in creating CAFOD and for the support they continue to give.

Loving God,
You created and formed each one of us.
You have drawn us with unfailing kindness
and lavished us with love.
We give you thanks and praise.

For our sisters, the women at the heart
of our beginnings and our work,
we give you thanks and praise.

For the women who respond to the need
for care and compassion
both near and far,
we give you thanks and praise.

For our sisters who act for justice,
stand in solidarity,
speak the truth to power
and reach out with a loving hand,
we give you thanks and praise.

Loving God, source of hope,
we ask you to lift the women who face hardship,
violence, rejection, and isolation.

Send out your spirit on all women this year.
May we remember the wonderful things that they have done,
continue to do,
and will do from this time forward through your grace.

Amen.