Pierre Toussaint

          Lord God, Source of love and compassion, we praise and honor You for the virtuous and charitable life of our brother in Christ, Venerable Pierre Toussaint. Inspired by the example of Our Lord Jesus, Pierre worshipped You with love and served Your people with generosity. He attended daily Mass and responded to the practical and spiritual needs of friends and strangers, of the rich and the poor, the sick and the homeless 19th-century New York.

          If it is Your will, let the name of Venerable Pierre Toussaint be officially raised to the rank of Saint, so that the world may know this Haitian New Yorker who refused to hate or be selfish, but instead lived to the full the commandments of heaven and the divine law of love – love for God and for neighbor. By following his example and asking for his prayers, may we, too, be counted among the blessed in heaven.  

          We ask for this through Christ Our Lord.

          Amen.