Pray for us

Published: March 26, 2011

Prayer for The Guardian Press

Pour forth, O Lord, Thy grace upon the Catholic Press and all its works, in particular our own, dedicated in honor of the great mystery of the Annunciation, in which the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known. We, who believe Mary to be truly the Mother of God, beseech Thee, Almighty Father to bless The Guardian Press and all who help it to prosper in Thy Way. Fill the editors and craftsmen and all employees with the spirit of wisdom, counsel and fortitude, and instill in them the fear of the Lord, that they may employ their vocation to Thy glory and the welfare of their fellowmen. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Albert L. Fletcher
Bishop of Little Rock
June 6, 1947

The dedication of The Southern Guardian to Our Blessed Mother in honor of the mystery of the Annunciation was officially announced by Bishop John B. Morris in its first issue, March 25, 1911.

Bishop Albert L. Fletcher penned a prayer in 1947 invoking that dedication and asking blessings on "The Guardian Press and all who help it to prosper in Thy Way." The resulting prayer card incorporated a 15th-century Italian painting of The Annunciation in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, attributed at the time to "Master of the Barberini Panels." (Later art scholars identified that artist as Fra Carnevale.)

That 1947 prayer card has been reproduced with the original art, with permission from the National Gallery of Art, and will be given to donors throughout the centennial year.

Click here to return to the Arkansas Catholic Centennial index.