Author: Malta Catholic Youth Network

12th April – “He’s not here”

12th April - Just 15 Minutes

He is Risen! Let us spend some time meditating with great joy on this mystery. Jesus we love you and we worship you.


      • Find a suitable place where you can sit and be calm. 
        • Close your eyes for a few moments and listen to the sounds surrounding you, be aware of your posture and make yourself present to enter into a moment of intimacy with Jesus.

       

      • Make the sign of the cross and remain for a few more moments in silence. TIP: If it helps you to concentrate and to bring yourself before Jesus in prayer, play a song or two of praise. If you do not have any specific song, we suggest this song

Matthew 28:1-10

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

      • “He has been raised”
        • Jesus is Alive! What does this mean to me? The man who hung on the cross and died is now alive.
        • Death did not have the last word, He overcame death! Sin has no hold on those who trust and place their faith in Jesus. 
        • Jesus offers us new life in him, what will I answer now to this call to follow Him?
      • Allow a moment of silence and try to listen to what God wants to tell you today. We suggest using a notebook to write some short points. 
      • Ask Mary to guide you to her son Jesus and intercede for others. Recite a Hail Mary. 
        • What are the requests I wish to bring to God through Mary? For whom will I intercede?
      • Close this moment of prayer by thanking God for this moment of intimacy together. 
        • Jesus, Thank you for this beautiful gift of life. Jesus help me discover the beauty of the resurrection daily.
      • Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.   – Make the sign of the cross.

The Rosary will be prayed every day at 5:30pm and live-streamed on TVM2, Newsbook & Church.mt, from the Curia’s chapel. We encourage you all to join us in this prayer. If you have any prayer intentions which you’d like us to pray for, you can write them below. These intentions will be kept in confidence.

10th April – “I am thirsty.”

10th April - Just 15 Minutes

We pray and meditate on good Friday, the death of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross on Calvary. Jesus, have mercy on us we pray.


      • Find a suitable place where you can sit and be calm. 
        • Close your eyes for a few moments and listen to the sounds surrounding you, be aware of your posture and make yourself present to enter into a moment of intimacy with Jesus.

       

      • Make the sign of the cross and remain for a few more moments in silence. TIP: If it helps you to concentrate and to bring yourself before Jesus in prayer, play a song or two of praise. If you do not have any specific song, we suggest this song

John 19:28-30

 

After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

    • “I am thirsty.”
      • Jesus calls out from the cross,  “I am thirsty.” But what is this thirst about? In his dying moments why would this sentence be remembered for all these years?
      • Saint Teresa of Calcutta speaks of the thirst of Jess on the cross, as the thirst of Jesus for souls. Jesus is thirsty to love me. The cross became his ultimate sacrifice of love for us.
      • How do I respond to such love? Can I quench his thirst by humbly coming to him?
    • Allow a moment of silence and try to listen to what God wants to tell you today. We suggest using a notebook to write some short points. 
    • Ask Mary to guide you to her son Jesus and intercede for others. Recite a Hail Mary. 
      • What are the requests I wish to bring to God through Mary? For whom will I intercede?
    • Close this moment of prayer by thanking God for this moment of intimacy together. 
      • Help me Jesus, to humble myself and come as I am to the foot of the cross, where I may quench the thirst of Jesus with love.
    • Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.   – Make the sign of the cross. 

The Rosary will be prayed every day at 5:30pm and live-streamed on TVM2, Newsbook & Church.mt, from the Curia’s chapel. We encourage you all to join us in this prayer. If you have any prayer intentions which you’d like us to pray for, you can write them below. These intentions will be kept in confidence.

9th April – You will understand

9th April - Just 15 Minutes

We pray and meditate at the beginning of this Easter Triduum on Maundy Thursday. We journey with Jesus as he celebrates the last supper and washes the feet of his disciples. Jesus, have mercy on us we pray.


      • Find a suitable place where you can sit and be calm. 
        • Close your eyes for a few moments and listen to the sounds surrounding you, be aware of your posture and make yourself present to enter into a moment of intimacy with Jesus.

       

      • Make the sign of the cross and remain for a few more moments in silence. TIP: If it helps you to concentrate and to bring yourself before Jesus in prayer, play a song or two of praise. If you do not have any specific song, we suggest this song

John 13:1-15

 

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.

        • “if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet”
          • Jesus today gives us a new paradigm. A new way of being, of living and loving. The Master washes the feet of his disciples. Jesus washes my feet too. 
          • Do I acknowledge that I am not entirely clean, and sin in my life makes me dirty? Sin does not allow me to become who God wants me to be. 
          • Jesus kneels down, and washes my feet. How do I feel? What is this great love?
          • How do I respond to this? What small daily actions can I do to respond to the call to follow his example. 
        • Allow a moment of silence and try to listen to what God wants to tell you today. We suggest using a notebook to write some short points. 
        • Ask Mary to guide you to her son Jesus and intercede for others. Recite a Hail Mary. 
          • What are the requests I wish to bring to God through Mary? For whom will I intercede?
        • Close this moment of prayer by thanking God for this moment of intimacy together. 
          • Help me Jesus, to humble myself and accept my sins, to come to you and ask for forgiveness. Remind me Jesus that you never cease to forgive me and love me no matter what I have done. 
        • Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.   – Make the sign of the cross. 

The Rosary will be prayed every day at 5:30pm and live-streamed on TVM2, Newsbook & Church.mt, from the Curia’s chapel. We encourage you all to join us in this prayer. If you have any prayer intentions which you’d like us to pray for, you can write them below. These intentions will be kept in confidence.

8th April – Into the city

8th April - Just 15 Minutes

We enter into a moment of prayer, as we journey during this Holy week. We pray and meditate on this sacred mystery. Jesus, have mercy on us we pray.


      • Find a suitable place where you can sit and be calm. 
        • Close your eyes for a few moments and listen to the sounds surrounding you, be aware of your posture and make yourself present to enter into a moment of intimacy with Jesus.

       

      • Make the sign of the cross and remain for a few more moments in silence. TIP: If it helps you to concentrate and to bring yourself before Jesus in prayer, play a song or two of praise. If you do not have any specific song, we suggest this song

Matthew 26:17-19

On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

      • Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?”
        • As tomorrow we begin the Easter Triduum, let us take some time today to reflect.
        • Will I go through these celebrations as I have done every year? Will I not take this opportunity to go reflect on a deeper level on this great mystery. 
        • Jesus, what preparations should I make in my heart as I enter in these next few days of your passion and resurrection?
      • Allow a moment of silence and try to listen to what God wants to tell you today. We suggest using a notebook to write some short points. 
      • Ask Mary to guide you to her son Jesus and intercede for others. Recite a Hail Mary. 
        • What are the requests I wish to bring to God through Mary? For whom will I intercede?
      • Close this moment of prayer by thanking God for this moment of intimacy together. 
        • Help me Jesus, to prepare myself to celebrate with you and the Church this great gift of love. 
      • Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.   – Make the sign of the cross.

The Rosary will be prayed every day at 5:30pm and live-streamed on TVM2, Newsbook & Church.mt, from the Curia’s chapel. We encourage you all to join us in this prayer. If you have any prayer intentions which you’d like us to pray for, you can write them below. These intentions will be kept in confidence.

7th April – Will follow later

7th April - Just 15 Minutes

We enter into a moment of prayer, as we journey during this Holy week. We pray and meditate on this sacred mystery. Jesus, have mercy on us we pray.


      • Find a suitable place where you can sit and be calm. 
        • Close your eyes for a few moments and listen to the sounds surrounding you, be aware of your posture and make yourself present to enter into a moment of intimacy with Jesus.

       

      • Make the sign of the cross and remain for a few more moments in silence. TIP: If it helps you to concentrate and to bring yourself before Jesus in prayer, play a song or two of praise. If you do not have any specific song, we suggest this song

John 13:36-38

 

Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?”

Jesus answered him, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.”

Peter said to him, “Master, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.”

    • Allow a moment of silence and try to listen to what God wants to tell you today. We suggest using a notebook to write some short points. 
    • Ask Mary to guide you to her son Jesus and intercede for others. Recite a Hail Mary. 
      • What are the requests I wish to bring to God through Mary? For whom will I intercede?
    • Close this moment of prayer by thanking God for this moment of intimacy together. 
      • Help me Jesus, to lay down my life daily and follow you.
    • Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.   – Make the sign of the cross.

The Rosary will be prayed every day at 5:30pm and live-streamed on TVM2, Newsbook & Church.mt, from the Curia’s chapel. We encourage you all to join us in this prayer. If you have any prayer intentions which you’d like us to pray for, you can write them below. These intentions will be kept in confidence.

6th April – You are worthy

6th April - Just 15 Minutes

At the beginning of the fourth week of social distancing, let us enter into this holy week in humility. Jesus, Son of the Father, have mercy on us.


      • Find a suitable place where you can sit and be calm. 
        • Close your eyes for a few moments and listen to the sounds surrounding you, be aware of your posture and make yourself present to enter into a moment of intimacy with Jesus.

       

      • Make the sign of the cross and remain for a few more moments in silence. TIP: If it helps you to concentrate and to bring yourself before Jesus in prayer, play a song or two of praise. If you do not have any specific song, we suggest this song

Revelations 5:8-14 

 

When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. They sing a new song:

“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals,

for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God saints from every tribe and language and people and nation;

you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving our God, and they will reign on earth.”

 

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice,

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

 

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing,

“To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might

forever and ever!”

 

And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the elders fell down and worshiped.

            • Some of us may find the book of revelations a bit difficult to understand. Some take it quite literally, others disregard it, but the Church has given us tools to help us navigate this book. The chosen text for today allows us to take a look at Jesus being glorified in Heaven. Jesus, the Lamb who by his blood has bought new life for us. We often think of Jesus as a friend, but it Is good to acknowledge this side of Jesus too.
              • How do I give glory and praise to Jesus in my day to day life? 
              • Do I ever stop and marvel at how much the Father loved us to send his Son to us?
            • Allow a moment of silence and try to listen to what God wants to tell you today. We suggest using a notebook to write some short points. 
            • Ask Mary to guide you to her son Jesus and intercede for others. Recite a Hail Mary. 
              • What are the requests I wish to bring to God through Mary? For whom will I intercede?
            • Close this moment of prayer by thanking God for this moment of intimacy together. 
              • Grant us Jesus, the ability to know daily that you are God and you are worthy of all glory, honour and praise.  
            • Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.   – Make the sign of the cross.

The Rosary will be prayed every day at 5:30pm and live-streamed on TVM2, Newsbook & Church.mt, from the Curia’s chapel. We encourage you all to join us in this prayer. If you have any prayer intentions which you’d like us to pray for, you can write them below. These intentions will be kept in confidence.

5th April – He who comes

5th April - Just 15 Minutes

We are now about to enter Holy Week. As the Church comes to celebrate and remember this great act of love of God. We are also invited to join with the Church to reflect, and pray as one. We pray that these 15 minute reflections will help you to continue this journey to calvary and to the empty tomb.


      • Find a suitable place where you can sit and be calm. 
        • Close your eyes for a few moments and listen to the sounds surrounding you, be aware of your posture and make yourself present to enter into a moment of intimacy with Jesus.

       

      • Make the sign of the cross and remain for a few more moments in silence. TIP: If it helps you to concentrate and to bring yourself before Jesus in prayer, play a song or two of praise. If you do not have any specific song, we suggest this song

Matthew 21:6-10

 

The disciples went and did as Jesus had ordered them. They brought the ass and the colt and laid their cloaks over them, and he sat upon them. The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and strewed them on the road. The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying:

 

“Hosanna to the Son of David;

blessed is the he who comes in the name of the Lord;

hosanna in the highest.”

 

And when he entered Jerusalem the whole city was shaken and asked, “Who is this?” And the crowds replied, “This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee.”

          • “Who is this?”
            • Who is this man Jesus we are reading about today? Why is he different? Why does he come riding in a donkey, and walking towards his death? What do I feel as I use my imagination to picture this passage? 
            • Jesus, you love me and all humanity. You freely gave yourself to be crucified for the atonement of my sins. Jesus, help me enter this week with an open heart to meditate deeply on your passion, death and your resurrection.
          • Allow a moment of silence and try to listen to what God wants to tell you today. We suggest using a notebook to write some short points. 
          • Ask Mary to guide you to her son Jesus and intercede for others. Recite a Hail Mary. 
            • What are the requests I wish to bring to God through Mary? For whom will I intercede?
          • Close this moment of prayer by thanking God for this moment of intimacy together. 
            • Grant us Jesus, to journey with you throughout this Holy Week, that we can meditate this great mystery of love. 
          • Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.   – Make the sign of the cross. 

The Rosary will be prayed every day at 5:30pm and live-streamed on TVM2, Newsbook & Church.mt, from the Curia’s chapel. We encourage you all to join us in this prayer. If you have any prayer intentions which you’d like us to pray for, you can write them below. These intentions will be kept in confidence.

4th April – Bring them back

4th April - Just 15 Minutes

We are now about to enter Holy Week. As the Church comes to celebrate and remember this great act of love of God. We are also invited to join with the Church to reflect, and pray as one. We pray that these 15 minute reflections will help you to continue this journey to calvary and to the empty tomb.


      • Find a suitable place where you can sit and be calm. 
        • Close your eyes for a few moments and listen to the sounds surrounding you, be aware of your posture and make yourself present to enter into a moment of intimacy with Jesus.

       

      • Make the sign of the cross and remain for a few more moments in silence. TIP: If it helps you to concentrate and to bring yourself before Jesus in prayer, play a song or two of praise. If you do not have any specific song, we suggest this song

Ezekiel 37:21-23

 

Thus says the Lord GOD:

I will take the children of Israel from among the nations

to which they have come,

and gather them from all sides to bring them back to their land.

I will make them one nation upon the land,

in the mountains of Israel,

and there shall be one prince for them all.

Never again shall they be two nations,

and never again shall they be divided into two kingdoms.

 

No longer shall they defile themselves with their idols,

their abominations, and all their transgressions.

I will deliver them from all their sins of apostasy,

and cleanse them so that they may be my people

and I may be their God.

        • they may be my people and I may be their God.
          • I will gather them – Jesus has come to gather me together with the rest of Humanity. Where do I find myself today? Do I feel far away from God? Jesus came to gather me from amongst the nation also to be part of his people. This redemption is offered to me too.
          • I will deliver them – God is offering me new life, life outside of sinful self. New life where I will be free to love and be with God. What am I being delivered from? What sin is keeping me in my old path? Which new path is God offering me today?
        • Allow a moment of silence and try to listen to what God wants to tell you today. We suggest using a notebook to write some short points. 
        • Ask Mary to guide you to her son Jesus and intercede for others. Recite a Hail Mary. 
          • What are the requests I wish to bring to God through Mary? For whom will I intercede?
        • Close this moment of prayer by thanking God for this moment of intimacy together. 
          • Grant us Jesus, to journey with you throughout this Holy Week, that we can meditate this great mystery of love. 
        • Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.   – Make the sign of the cross. 

The Rosary will be prayed every day at 5:30pm and live-streamed on TVM2, Newsbook & Church.mt, from the Curia’s chapel. We encourage you all to join us in this prayer. If you have any prayer intentions which you’d like us to pray for, you can write them below. These intentions will be kept in confidence.

3rd April – Near the cross

3rd April - Just 15 Minutes

      • Find a suitable place where you can sit and be calm. 
        • Close your eyes for a few moments and listen to the sounds surrounding you, be aware of your posture and make yourself present to enter into a moment of intimacy with Jesus.

       

      • Make the sign of the cross and remain for a few more moments in silence. TIP: If it helps you to concentrate and to bring yourself before Jesus in prayer, play a song or two of praise. If you do not have any specific song, we suggest this song

John 19:25-27

 

Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.

      • Today we celebrate the feast of our Lady of Sorrows. Jesus in his final hours gave his own mother to be our mother too.
        • What kind of relationship do you have with Mary? Do you ever think of her?
        • The Church teaches us that she is a mother who guides anyone who invokes her towards her son Jesus. She knows Jesus more than any of us does, and therefore she is the best person to accompany us towards him. 
        • Mary knows what suffering means, she saw her own son being crucified and killed on the cross. On this day, let us bring our suffering to Mary, and place it at the foot of the cross. 
        • Let us mourn on this day for the suffering the world is enduring and place our hope and trust in Jesus. 
      • Allow a moment of silence and try to listen to what God wants to tell you today. We suggest using a notebook to write some short points. 
      • Ask Mary to guide you to her son Jesus and intercede for others. Recite a Hail Mary. 
        • What are the requests I wish to bring to God through Mary? For whom will I intercede?
      • Close this moment of prayer by thanking God for this moment of intimacy together. 
        • Grant us Jesus the ability to see you in our darkest moments.  
      • Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.   – Make the sign of the cross.

The Rosary will be prayed every day at 5:30pm and live-streamed on TVM2, Newsbook & Church.mt, from the Curia’s chapel. We encourage you all to join us in this prayer. If you have any prayer intentions which you’d like us to pray for, you can write them below. These intentions will be kept in confidence.