Our Patron Saint

“The Good Pope”

Saint John XXIII

1881-1963

1st Class Relic of St. John XXIII
in St. Louis Church

Image of St. John XXIII found in both
St. Louis Church and St. John Vianney Church

Prayer to St. John XXIII

composed by Angelo Cardinal Comastri

Dear Pope John, your simplicity and gentleness perfumed of God and enkindled in hearts the desire for goodness. You often spoke about the beauty of families gathered around the table to share bread and faith: please pray for us so that true families may inhabit our homes once again.

With generous hands you sowed hope and you taught us to hear God’s footsteps preparing for a new humanity: help us to gain a healthy optimism to win over evil with goodness. You have loved the world with its bright and dark facets and believed that peace is possible: help us become instruments of peace in our homes and cities.

With fatherly tenderness you asked to give to all children a loving caress: deeply moving the entire world and thus reminding us that hands must be used not to strike, but to embrace and wipe off tears. Pray for us so that we may no limit ourselves to weep for the darkness but we may spread light by bringing Jesus everywhere and praying Mary evermore. Amen.