Below is the opening and closing prayer from Father Bob from the 100-year Prayer Service:
The text of the Opening Prayer is:
(Opening)
Father Jean-Pierre Medaille, SJ, founder of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, envisioned their “little design” to be the Congregation of God’s great love. For the members, that meant experiencing God’s unbounded love for them and living that love in the service of their dear neighbor.
In Maxim 85 he says: Advance good works until they are almost finished; and then, whenever possible, let them be completed by someone else who will receive the honor.
And so today we pray:
Loving God, we come before you today to give thanks for the Sisters of St. Joseph and for Chestnut Hill College. We have followed your command to live in love and share that love with the “dear neighbor.” We thank you for allowing us to advance the many good works you have given us to do. We know that these works are not finished. And so we pray today that standing
on the shoulders of those who came before us, we take up and complete them today. Be with us today and every day that we may experience your unbounded love and live that love as we serve your people here at Chestnut Hill College and wherever you send us. We pray in your most holy name. Amen.
The text of the Closing prayer is:
(Closing)
As we conclude our prayer today, let us look carefully at the college seal. Between the two lilies which symbolize Holy Mary and St. Joseph, you see a book. On the book you see our motto: Fides – Caritas – Scientia. Faith – Charity – Knowledge.
And so we pray:
Loving God, as we move into the next century of Chestnut Hill College, we ask you to deepen our faith, to perfect our charity, and to increase our knowledge. With gratitude we celebrate the past. With hope we shape the future. May we do all things for your honor and glory. May your blessings be with us today and each day of the year ahead. We pray in your most holy name, Amen.
