Watchmen pray. Not only at church, vigils and various gatherings, but in living an undivided life of faith at home, the workplace, sports and recreation, community events, etc. You name it. That’s our goal anyway — to pray with persistence and with a devotion to Jesus, Mary and Joseph. We believe all prayer — whenever and wherever — matters to God.

Spiritual warfare is so active nowadays — yet prayer continues to prevail as the best weapon for all ages and stages in life, emphasizing persistence, watchfulness, humility, all in the acceptance of the will of God the Father. Jesus is our model on how to live an active and holy life of prayer (see Matthew 5-7 for starters).

The first holy domestic church also is an example, in which our Lord incarnate “increased in wisdom and in stature” (Lk 2:52). Prayer is a conversation with God, and most certainly, the Holy Family had plenty of those talks. God sets no boundaries with us as well in this age of the Holy Spirit. Our part in active prayer for our own families, parishes, vocations and community life can collectively transform the world to a life in Christ. No matter the locale, time, height, width and depth of one’s prayer — it matters to God.

Here we release the annual monthly prayer intentions of the Catholic Watchmen movement of our archdiocese. It is fitting that they begin with our youth as they and their families prepare for the school year. We pray that our youth adopt an active faith life that teaches them the good, beautiful and true as they develop and mature in all subject matters. That our youth pursue virtue in a world where faith and reason are essential — subordinating their passions and senses to the intellect and will. God’s will.

August: For our Youth in Preparation for Upcoming School Year: That young people follow the example of Mary and Joseph that they experience from their home life, responding to the call of the Lord to communicate the joy of the Gospel to others.

September: For the Holy Spirit to Bless the Faithful and All People in our Archdiocese: That ardent prayer, sincere listening and heartfelt discernment guide all parish small groups that provide feedback for the Synod.

October: For the Family Rosary: That families enliven the holy rosary in their daily practices — no matter how turbulent their lives may become — continuing to hold fast to their faith through the intercessory prayers of the Blessed Mother, which always lead us to Jesus.

November: For Justice, Mercy and Peace: That God transforms the leaders of all countries in the world to serve and honor those who experience the perils of war and division — lifting their nations out of hostility and oppression.

December: For the Blessings of this Holy Christmas Season: That all families and especially for those of our archdiocese, deeply encounter the child Jesus as given by the example of the first holy, domestic church.

January: For the Unborn and for the Safety of Pilgrims to Pro-life Activities: That the culture of death that surrounds us today be replaced with a culture of life, promoting the dignity of the human person in all stages of life from conception to natural death.

February: For the Gift of Self: That by loving God — first and foremost — and by the love of neighbor, we may no longer live for ourselves, but for Jesus, who died for our sake and was raised up to bring us to new life.

March: For the Dignity of Work that Models after St. Joseph the Worker: That all who are actively employed or seeking employment labor with dignity and in virtue as they provide for their family and contribute to society.

April: For All Aspects of Leisure, Recreation & Sports: That healthy participation and competition contribute to the development of the whole person, providing enjoyment that avoids any kind of reductionism that debases human dignity.

May: For Devotion to Mary & the Dignity of Women: That in every country of the world, women may be honored and respected and that their essential contribution to the family and to society may be highly esteemed.

June: For Men Striving to be Spiritual Fathers like St. Joseph: That on this month of the Catholic Father’s Day celebration, all men develop and strengthen in spiritual fatherhood as they protect, provide and lead their families in the faith.

July: For Purity and the Natural Order of Sexuality: That all embrace the virtue of chastity — married or single — to counteract the temptation toward lust, pornography, prostitution and crimes against humanity such as sex trafficking, which disfigure the dignity of women and men of all ages.

Catholic Watchmen are prayer warriors who know that a persistent, consistent, vital daily prayer life is essential to staying alive in Christ. Whenever and wherever an opportunity presents itself, please include these monthly intentions in your prayers.

Deacon Bird ministers at St. Joseph in Rosemount and All Saints in Lakeville, and assists the archdiocese’s Catholic Watchmen movement. Learn about the Catholic Watchmen at archspm.org/faith-communities/men.