From the Mass for the Forgiveness of Sins
Bishops' Plenary Meeting held in Dallas on June 15, 2002
Jonah 3:1-10 — The Ninevites turned from their evil ways. Romans 6:2-14 — Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as being dead to sin and living for God. Matthew 9:1-8 — They glorified God who had given such authority to men.
Lord,
be merciful to your people
and free us from our sins.
May your loving forgiveness
keep us safe
from the punishment we deserve.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, amen.
Bishop Gregory's invitation to the National Conference
of Catholic Bishops:
In a spirit of repentance for our sins and with trust that God will give us the grace to more closely follow the model of Christ the Good Shepherd, let us conclude our meeting by renewing our commitment to priestly service. On the day of our ordination as priests we were called to conform ourselves to the cross of Christ. May these days be the beginning of a new dawn of priestly holiness in our country and in our world.