Catholic Church issues special prayers for Queen

The Catholic Church has issued special prayers in celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Catholic parishes across Britain are being asked to commemorate the Queen's 60-year reign by celebrating a special Mass with prayers this Sunday.

During the Mass, the first reading will be replaced by 1 Kings 3:11–14 and the prayer for the Queen will be said after the post Communion prayer and before the final Blessing.

The prayer for the Queen is as follows:
V. O Lord, save Elizabeth, our Queen.
R. And hear us on the day we call upon you.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come before you.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with your spirit.

Almighty God, we pray,
that your servant Elizabeth, our Queen,
who, by your providence has received the governance of this realm,
may continue to grow in every virtue,
that, imbued with your heavenly grace,
she may be preserved from all that is harmful and evil
and, being blessed with your favour
may, with her consort and the royal family,
come at last into your presence,
through Christ who is the way, the truth and the life
and who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen

The Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols has already delivered a loyal address to the Queen on behalf of the Catholic Church which reads: “Your Majesty, it is an honour and a pleasure to express the great loyalty and gratitude felt by the Catholic community of England and Wales for the outstanding and unstinting service you give to our nation and to people throughout the world.”

Download full texts for Sunday at www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Calendar/Info/Queen-60.shtml