Partners in Prayer

The picture above is of me and my prayer partner Meisha. Meisha, a sophomore at Benedictine College, (who was also my student when I taught at Notre Dame de Sion High School) has been one of my prayer partners for the last year.

Each year, the Mount sponsors a program at Benedictine College called Partners in Prayer (PIP). PIP is a program that partners a college student with a Sister for the entire school year. Throughout the year, both are committed to pray for each other daily and the student comes to the Mount to share in prayers and a meal with the Sisters of the Mount. This year we had over 120 students sign up to be a part of the program. Some came weekly, some came monthly and some came whenever their schedules would allow. It is a great chance for all of us to get to know each other better and to share our lives and our faith with each other.

Last night was the end of the year Blessing and Supper for the PIP program. It was a great way to end the year before the students head home for the summer. (13 of them are graduating seniors). Here is the final blessing that we prayed at Vespers.

Blessing Prayer

Blessed are you, Lord our God, for having called these young women and men to share their lives with us as “Partners in Prayer” during this past year. Now that the year is coming to a close we ask your special blessing upon them as they begin a summer of work, play and prayer. Protect them from harm and evil and send as their escort the Holy Spirit who accompanied the holy ones of days past. As they leave for the summer may they take with them a heart wrapped in wonder with which to rejoice in all they shall meet. As we leave, we thank you, Sisters of the Mount, for welcoming us into your home and your hearts. As we leave we want to thank you for inviting us to pray with you, to share meals with you, to discover what it means to be part of a community of Benedictine women. May the blessing of our Loving God be with each of you as you begin the summer’s call to find God in all the people you meet and in all the events you experience.

We have truly been blessed by their presence. May God protect and guide each of them throughout the summer months and bring them safely back in the fall.