VATICAN CITY, APRIL 13, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The Vatican posted the texts for the liturgical celebrations over which Benedict XVI will preside during his five-day trip to the United States that begins Tuesday.
The 113-page document includes the songs and prayers for ceremonies ranging from Wednesday's celebration of evening prayer with the nation's bishops, to the closing Mass at Yankee Stadium next Sunday.
According to Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, one of the most notable stops during the April 15-20 visit will be the Holy Father's prayer at ground zero, the site where the World Trade Center stood before the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The prayer for that visit is included in the texts posted by the Vatican:
O God of love, compassion, and healing,
look on us, people of many different faiths
and traditions,
who gather today at this site,
the scene of incredible violence and pain.
We ask you in your goodness
to give eternal light and peace
to all who died here-
the heroic first-responders:
our fire fighters, police officers,
emergency service workers, and
Port Authority personnel,
along with all the innocent men and women
who were victims of this tragedy
simply because their work or service
brought them here on September 11, 2001.
We ask you, in your compassion
to bring healing to those
who, because of their presence here that day,
suffer from injuries and illness.
Heal, too, the pain of still-grieving families
and all who lost loved ones in this tragedy.
Give them strength to continue their lives
with courage and hope.
We are mindful as well
of those who suffered death, injury, and loss
on the same day at the Pentagon and in
Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Our hearts are one with theirs
as our prayer embraces their pain and suffering.
God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world:
peace in the hearts of all men and women
and peace among the nations of the earth.
Turn to your way of love
those whose hearts and minds
are consumed with hatred.
God of understanding,
overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy,
we seek your light and guidance
as we confront such terrible events.
Grant that those whose lives were spared
may live so that the lives lost here
may not have been lost in vain.
Comfort and console us,
strengthen us in hope,
and give us the wisdom and courage
to work tirelessly for a world
where true peace and love reign
among nations and in the hearts of all.
