Prayer to God the Father for 1999

Blessed are You, Lord Father in heaven, Who, in your infinite mercy, stooped down to us in our distress and gave us Jesus, your Son, born of a woman, to be our Savior and friend, our brother and redeemer. We thank you, good Father, for the gift of the jubilee year; make it a time of favor for us, the year of a great return to the Father's house, where, full of love, you await your straying children to embrace them in your forgiveness and welcome them to your table, in their festive garments. We praise you, Father, forever! Father most merciful, during this Holy Year may our love for You and for our neighbor grow ever stronger, may Christ's disciples promote justice and peace, may they proclaim the Good News to the poor, and may the Church our Mother direct her love especially to the little ones and the neglected. We praise you, Father, forever! Father of justice, may the great jubilee be the fitting time for all Catholics to rediscover the joy of living by your word and obeying your will; may they know the goodness of fraternal communion as they break bread together and praise You in hymns and inspired songs. We praise you, Father, forever! Father, rich in mercy, may the holy jubilee be a time of openness, of dialogue and encounter, among all who believe in Christ and with the followers of other religions: in your immense love, be bountiful in mercy to all. We praise you, Father, forever! O God, Almighty Father, as we make our way to You, our ultimate destiny, may all your children experience the gentle company of Mary most holy, image of purest love, whom you chose to be Mother of Christ and Mother of the Church. We praise you, Father, forever! To You, Father of life, eternal source of all that is, highest good and everlasting light, be honor and glory, praise and thanksgiving, with the Son and with the Spirit, for ages unending. Amen.

Source: Pope John Paul II in preparation for the great Jubilee of the year 2000.