Yesterday was Torture Day, but today is Pope Benedict Today. As folks likely know, His Most Awesomeness B16 is embarking on a trip to Turkey–which has a lot of folks (me included) nervous. I hope that you will take time to pray for him during this trip, using whatever form of prayer you feel led to use.

In that regard, a reader has a suggestion and writes:

I am extremely concerned about Pope Benedict’s trip to Turkey, especially amid the vast number of fanatical Muslims protesting. And since the Pope said that he is releasing the first 10 chapters of his book since he isn’t sure how much energy or time he has left has only added to my uneasy feeling. Attached is a beautiful prayer (Novena from 11/28 – 12/1) by Bishop Lori.  Would yo please post this on your website or blog. Today I stood outside church and handed out about 100 and people were so pleased to be able to pray the novena for the Pope. And it is such a beautiful prayer.

Here’s the prayer:

SPIRITUAL PILGRIMAGE WITH HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI ON HIS PASTORAL VISIT TO TURKEY

NOV. 28 – DEC. 1, 2006

Heavenly Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name, we humbly ask that you sustain, inspire, and protect your servant, Pope Benedict XVI, as he goes on pilgrimage to Turkey – a land to which St. Paul brought the Gospel of your Son; a land where once the Mother of your Son, the Seat of Wisdom, dwelt; a land where faith in your Son’s true divinity was  definitively professed. Bless our Holy Father, who comes as a messenger of truth and love to all people of faith and good will dwelling in this land so rich in history. In the power of the Holy Spirit, may this visit of the Holy Father bring about deeper ties of understanding, cooperation, and peace among Roman Catholics, the Orthodox, and those who profess Islam. May the prayers and events of these historic days greatly contribute both to greater accord among those who worship you, the living and true God, and also to peace in our world so often torn apart by war and sectarian violence. We also ask, O Heavenly Father, that you watch over and protect Pope Benedict and entrust him to the loving care of Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Fatima, a title cherished both by Catholics and Muslims. Through her prayers and maternal love, may Pope Benedict be kept safe from all harm as he prays, bears witness to the Gospel, and invites all peoples to a dialogue of faith, reason, and love. We make our prayer through Christ, our Lord.  Amen.      

Prayer composed by Bishop William E. Lori,
Knights of Columbus Supreme Chaplain