The Office of the Chaplain United States House of Representatives

Reverend Avelino Gonzalez

St. Joseph's Catholic Church
Washington, DC

Date of Prayer: 12/27/2011

Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:

Dear Lord, God of History, and our Father

Culture is that particular form of human endeavor in which mankind elevates, to the state of excellence, the four dimensions of his personal life – his relationship with his neighbor, with his environment, with himself, and with his transcendent Creator.

In doing so, mankind forms the essential values that define not just a nation, but civilization. Inspire today Lord, through your Holy Spirit, the men and women that serve this nation in this House of Representatives, that they may recognize and promote the most noble and authentic of human values.

Give this governing body the proper vision of the human person so that all the deliberations today, and always, may elevate the culture of this great nation and inspire its citizens to moral excellence.

We ask this in your Most Holy and Eternal name. Amen.

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