This suggested order for an ecumenical prayer is offered to mark the election of the new bishop of Rome. It includes songs from Taizé, which can be found in the dedicated pages of the website [https://www.taize.fr/en_article10308.html]. Please feel free to adapt the songs to suit the local context, as well as the words of welcome and opening prayer, the final blessing and the layout of the prayer space. Please invite representatives of different denominations, in as much as this is possible, to pray the final blessing together and share the readings and intercessions between the various partners.
Song to invoke the Holy Spirit
Tui amoris ignem
Words of welcome followed by the opening prayer (written by Brother Matthew of Taizé)
Faithful God, Shepherd of your people, you bring us together in all our diversity. You give us the gift of loving your Son Jesus and the mystery of communion that is his Body, the Church. We give you thanks for the life and ministry of Pope Francis, for the paths he has opened to proclaim the good news of your love in today’s world.
On the eve of the conclave, we ask you to send your Holy Spirit upon those who have been given the responsibility of choosing his successor as Bishop of Rome. May your Spirit give them a listening heart, and the wisdom and humility they need to discern your will.
Always renew our hope and bless the one you will call to be a servant of unity among your people and a witness to hope and peace in the human family, attentive to the lowly and the needy, for your kingdom belongs to them.
Psalm 34 (33), 2-9. 13-16
Verses to be sung or read alternating with the song Alleluia 24
I will bless the Lord continually : God’s praise shall be always in my mouth.
Let my soul boast of the Lord : the humble shall hear it and rejoice.
O praise the Lord with me : let us exalt his name together.
For I sought the Lord’s help and he answered : and he freed me from all my fears.
Look towards him and be bright with joy : your faces shall not be ashamed.
Here is a wretch who cried, and the Lord heard him : and saved him from all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps round those who fear him : and delivers them in their need.
O taste and see that the Lord is good : happy whoever who hides in God!
Which of you relishes life : wants time to enjoy good things?
Keep your tongue from evil : and your lips from telling lies.
Turn from evil and do good : seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of God are on the righteous : and his ears towards their cry.
From the Gospel according to St John (John 16,12-15)
Before his Passion, Jesus said to his disciples: 12 "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
Song that reflects the Word of God
Jésus le Christ
Silence
In places where this is not customary, it can help to announce to the participants that the prayer will continue with a long moment of silence. This can last 8 to 10 minutes.
Prayers of intercession
Sing or read each one alternating with the song Gospodi A
1. For the Church of Christ, for all the Churches throughout the world, for the communities and individuals who dedicate themselves to proclaiming the Gospel. We pray to you.
2. For the leaders of peoples, that their efforts may converge in the search for a lasting and just peace. We pray to you.
3. For Christian unity: may theological dialogue, encounter and the spiritual life open up paths of communion. We pray to you.
4. For an ever greater participation of all believers, women and men, old and young, in the synodal processes of discernment and decision-making, we pray to you.
5. In gratitude for the life and service of Pope Francis, we pray for those who were at the heart of his ministry: people living on the world’s existential margins - migrants, the poor, and so many others.
6. For the Church of England and the whole Anglican Communion, for the process of appointing the person called to serve as Archbishop of Canterbury. For all those who today carry out the mission of evangelisation within this Church. We pray to you.
7. For all the cardinals and for all those involved in the preparations for the conclave: send your Holy Spirit upon each of them to guide them in the election of the new bishop of Rome. We pray to you.
8. That the Holy Spirit may lead us into the fullness of truth, we pray to you.
Together, let us say the words that Jesus taught his disciples: Our Father …
Concluding prayer (from Taizé)
Bless us, Risen Christ, breathe your Holy Spirit on each one of us so that we may proclaim the good news of your love to all creation.
At the end of the time of prayer, a community leader (pastor or priest) can offer a meditation, and then the leaders of the various denominations can give a final blessing together, adapted to suit each place. A meditative song, or other songs of praise, can then be sung in places where a longer prayer can take place.