Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

We thank you for our earthly fathers, those to whom you have
entrusted the responsibility to provide loving protection of their
families and guidance of their children. We thank you, also, for our
priests and bishops, whose spiritual fatherhood is so vital to the
faith of your people.

May our earthly fathers imitate the manly courage of Abraham,

Jesse, and Joseph, and all the holy fathers of the past in providing
wise counsel to the children you have given to their care. And may
our spiritual fathers be guided by the examples of Saints Peter
and Paul, all the Apostles, and their saintly successors. Give them
valiant faith in the face of confusion and conflict, hope in time of
trouble and sorrow, and steadfast love for you, for their families,
and for all your people throughout the world.

Assist all fathers of families, all spiritual fathers, and all
Christian men, that through your Grace they may steadily grow in
holiness and in knowledge and understanding of your Truth; May
they generously impart this knowledge to those who rely on them.

As you, our Heavenly Father, so loved the world, sending your
only Son to be our Savior and Redeemer, we ask you to help all
men to imitate His fatherly gentleness and mercy toward those
who are weak; His humility, perfect obedience to your Will, and
fearless witness to your Truth. May their lives be examples to all
of heroic faithfulness to you.

We ask your blessing on all those to whom you have entrusted fatherhood. May your Holy Spirit constantly
inspire them with justice and mercy, wisdom and strength, fidelity and self-giving love. May they receive
your Grace abundantly in this earthly life, and may they look forward to eternal joy in your presence in the
life to come.

We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son and Our Lord. AMEN.