Prayers & Devotions

My Lord Jesus Christ, for the love which You bear to men, You remain night and day in this Sacrament full of compassion and of love, awaiting, calling, and welcoming all who come to visit You. I believe that You are present in the Sacrament of the Altar: I adore You from the abyss of my nothingness, and I thank You for all the graces which You have bestowed upon me and in particular for having given me Yourself in this Sacrament, for having given me your holy Mother Mary for my advocate, and for having called me to visit You in this chapel. I now salute

Your most loving Heart: and this for three ends:

1. In thanksgiving for this great gift;

2. To make amends to You for all the outrages which You receive in this Sacrament from all Your enemies;

3. I intend by this visit to adore You in all the places on earth in which You are the least revered and the most abandoned.

My Jesus, I love You with all my heart. I grieve for having so many times offended Your infinite goodness. I promise with Your grace never more to offend You in the future. Now, miserable and unworthy though I be, I consecrate myself to You without reserve;

I give You my entire will, my affections, my desires, and all that I possess. From now on dispose of me and of all that I have as You please. All that I ask of You and desire is Your holy love, final perseverance, and the perfect accomplishment of Your will. I recommend to You the souls in purgatory; but especially those who had the greatest devotion to the most Blessed Sacrament and to the Blessed Virgin Mary. I also recommend to You all poor sinners. My dear Saviour, I unite all my affections with the affections of Your most loving Heart; and I offer them, thus united, to Your eternal Father, and beseech Him in Your name to vouchsafe, for Your love, to accept them. Amen

Short Serenity Prayer

God grant me the Serenity to accept things I cannot change, the Courage to change what I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference.

Guardian Angel Prayer

Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom god`s love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide.

Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Morning Offering

O Jesus, through the immaculate heart of Mary, I offer my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day, for all the intentions of your sacred heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the mass throughout the world, in thanksgiving for your favors, in reparation for my sins, for the intentions of all my friends and relatives, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father.

Saint Ignatius - Suscipe

Take Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess. Thou hast given all to me. To Thee, O lord, I return it. All is Thine, dispose of it wholly according to Thy will. Give me Thy love and thy grace, for this is sufficient for me.

Daily Prayer of Surrender

Lord, as I confront the challenges of my day, help me to know that together we can handle anything. All worry and all stress I lay in the palms of your hands.

Lord, lift the weight of the day from my shoulders. Help me to remember to allow others to help. You gave us community so that we would not have to do it all ourselves.

Teach me humility. I do not have to do this alone. Take this day into your hands, and show me your way. Give me the grace I need to let go.

Prayer for Courage

Lord, give me courage in my everyday life. Courage to speak your truth and to defend the faith. Courage to follow your commandments and to live your beatitudes.

Courage to live a moral life, even if it means losing friends. Courage to pray. Courage to love others, especially the poor. Courage to visit the sick and the lonely.

Lord, may I not fall back in fear, but may I do your will, strengthened by your love.

Prayer for Help Against Spiritual Enemies

Glorious Saint Michael, Prince of the heavenly hosts, who stands always ready to give assistance to the people of God; who fought with the dragon, the old serpent, and cast him out of heaven, and now valiantly defends the Church of God that the gates of hell may never prevail against her, I earnestly entreat you to assist me also, in the painful and dangerous conflict which I sustain against the same formidable foe.

Be with me, O mighty Prince! that I may courageously fight and vanquish that proud spirit, whom you, by the Divine Power, gloriously overthrew, and whom our powerful King, Jesus Christ, has, in our nature, completely overcome; so having triumphed over the enemy of my salvation, I may with you and the holy angels, praise the clemency of God who, having refused mercy to the rebellious angels after their fall, has granted repentance and forgiveness to fallen man. Amen.

Prayer for Compassion against Harshness

Lord, preserve my gentle spirit, especially in the midst of chaos.

The world pushes, and I want to push back. Help me to be more like you: forgiving and loving, yet strong. Teach me kindness and gentleness in all I do and say. Give me the strength to handle the ways of this world with love.

Lord, I trust in your ways. Come Holy Spirit, fill me with compassion for others. Ignite in me the fire of God’s love. Help me to reach out to those who will cross my path today. I want to participate in your compassion.

I want to reach out with your heart, with your power of mercy and love. I want to do more. Come, Holy Spirit, fill my heart, so that it may overflow with compassion for all I meet today. Amen

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me a channel of thy peace, that where there is hatred, I may bring love; that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness; that where there is discord, I may bring harmony; that where there is error, I may bring truth; that where there is doubt, I may bring faith; that where there is despair, I may bring hope; that where there are shadows, I may bring light; that where there is sadness, I may bring joy. Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted; to understand, than to be understood; to love, than to be loved. For it is by self-forgetting that one finds. It is by forgiving that one is forgiven. It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life. Amen.

Prayer to Know God's Will

May it please the supreme and divine Goodness to give us all abundant grace ever to know his most holy will and perfectly to fulfill it.

The Examen Prayer

1. Gratitude

Acts of God for you [God moments]/gift of another day

Benefits and graces

Struggles and Trials

2. Petition

Ask for grace that makes the Examen fruitful and grace and other intentions

3. Review

When did I have consolation/desolation?
Recall thoughts, feelings, and desire

4. Forgiveness

Love has no fear and is unshakable [There is no misery that could be a match for my mercy]
Ask forgiveness for things in step three

5. Renewal

Look ahead who will you be
Small steps
Plan for growth

Night Offering

O God, come to my aid. O lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end. O my god, I thank you for having preserved me this day and for having given me so many blessings and graces. I renew my dedication to You and ask Your pardon for all my sins.

Make a sincere examination of conscience, repenting in sorrow for the sins committed

Prayer before Sleep

Jesus Christ my God, I adore you and thank you for all the graces you have given me this day. I offer you my sleep and all the moments of this night, and I ask you to keep me from sin. I put myself within your sacred side and under the mantle of our Lady. Let your holy angels stand about me and keep me in peace. And let your blessing be upon me. Amen.

Magnificat

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; Because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid; for behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed; Because He who is mighty has done great things for me, and Holy is His Name; And His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear Him. He has shown might with His arm, He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has given help to Israel, His servant, mindful of His mercy - Even as He spoke to our father - to Abraham and to his posterity forever.

Act of Faith

O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three divine Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe that your divine Son became man and died for our sins and that he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches because you have revealed them who are eternal truth and wisdom, who can neither deceive nor be deceived. In this faith I intend to live and die. Amen.

Act of Hope

O Lord God, I hope by your grace for the pardon of all my sins and after life here to gain eternal happiness because you have promised it who are infinitely powerful, faithful, kind, and merciful. In this hope I intend to live and die. Amen.

Act of Love

O Lord God, I love you above all things and I love my neighbor for your sake because you are the highest, infinite and perfect good, worthy of all my love. In this love I intend to live and die. Amen.

Prayer before a Crucifix

Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus while before Your face I humbly kneel and, with burning soul, pray and beseech You to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope, and charity; true contrition for my sins, and a firm purpose of amendment.

While I contemplate, with great love and tender pity, your five most precious wounds, pondering over them within me and calling to mind the words which David, your prophet, said to You, my Jesus: "They have pierced My hands and My feet, they have numbered all My bones."

Holy Spirit Prayer

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they shall renew the face of the Earth.

O God, who has instructed the hearts of your faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may have a right judgment in all things and evermore rejoice in his consolations.

Prayer before Eucharistic Mass

Saint Thomas Aquinas

Almighty and ever-living God, I approach the sacrament of your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I come sick to the doctor of life, unclean to the fountain of mercy, blind to the radiance of eternal light, and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth. Lord, in your great generosity, heal my sickness, wash away my defilement, enlighten my blindness, enrich my poverty, and clothe my nakedness. May I receive the bread of angels the King of kings and the Lord of lords, with such humility and reverence, such contrition and devotion, such purity and faith, and such resolve and determination as may secure my soul’s salvation. Grant as I may receive not only the visible sign of the Lord’s Body and Blood, but also all the reality and power of the sacrament. Grant, most kind God, that I may receive the Body of your only begotten Son, which he received from the Virgin Mary, and so be received into his mystical body and numbered among his members.

O most loving Father, grant me your beloved Son. While on this earthly pilgrimage, I receive him under the veil of a sacrament; so, may I come at last to see him face to face for all eternity. For he lives and resigns with you for ever and ever. Amen.

Saint Ambrose

O loving Lord Jesus Christ, I, a sinner, not presuming on my own merits, but trusting in Your mercy and goodness,

with fear and awe approach the table of Your most sacred banquet. For I have stained both my heart and body with many sins,

and have not kept a strict guard over my mind and tongue. Wherefore, O gracious God, O awful majesty, I, a wretched creature,

entangled in difficulties, have recourse to You, the fount of mercy; to You I fly for healing and take refuge under Your protection,

and I ardently desire to have Him as my Savior whom I am unable to face as my Judge. To You, Lord, I show my wounds, to You I lay bare my shame. I know that my sins are many and great and, on their account, I am filled with fear. But I trust in Your mercy, which is endless.

Look down on me, therefore, with the eyes of mercy, Lord Jesus Christ, eternal King, God and Man, crucified for men. Hear me, for my hope is in You; have mercy on me, for I am full of sin and wretchedness, You who never cease to let flow the fountain of mercy.

Hail Victim of Salvation, offered for me and for all mankind on the tree of the cross. Hail, noble and precious Blood, flowing from the wounds of my crucified Lord Jesus Christ washing away the sins of the whole world. Remember, Lord, Your creature, whom You have redeemed with Your Blood. I am grieved because I have sinned. I desire to make amends for what I have done. Take away from me, therefore, O most merciful Father, all my iniquities and my sins, that, being purified both in soul and body, I may worthily partake of the Holy of Holies; and grant that this holy oblation of Your Body and Blood, of which though unworthy I purpose to partake, may be to me the remission of my sins, the perfect cleansing of all my offenses, the means of driving away all evil thoughts and of renewing all holy desires, the accomplishment of works pleasing to You, as well as the strongest defense for soul and body against the snares of my enemies. Amen.

Act of Spiritual Communion [if Unable to receive the Eucharist]

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

Prayer After Eucharistic Mass

Saint Thomas Aquinas

Almighty and ever-living God, I thank You, for even though I am a sinner, your unprofitable servant, not because of my worth but in the kindness of your mercy, You have fed me with the Precious Body & Blood of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that this Holy Communion may not bring me condemnation and punishment but forgiveness and salvation. May it be a helmet of faith and a shield of good will. May it purify me from evil ways and put an end to my evil passions. May it bring me charity and patience, humility and obedience, and growth in the power to do good. May it be my strong defense against all my enemies, visible and invisible, and the perfect calming of all my evil impulses, bodily and spiritual. May it unite me more closely to you, the One true God, and lead me safely through death to everlasting happiness with You. And I pray that You will lead me, a sinner, to the banquet where you, with Your Son and holy Spirit, are true and perfect light, total fulfillment, everlasting joy, gladness without end, and perfect happiness to your saints. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint Bonaventure

Pierce, O most sweet Lord Jesus, my inmost soul with the most joyous and healthful wound of Thy love, and with true, calm and most holy apostolic charity, that my soul may ever languish and melt with entire love and longing for Thee, may yearn for Thee and for thy courts, may long to be dissolved and to be with Thee. Grant that my soul may hunger after Thee, the Bread of Angels, the refreshment of holy souls, our daily and super substantial bread, having all sweetness and savor and every delightful taste. May my heart ever hunger after and feed upon Thee, Whom the angels desire to look upon, and may my inmost soul be filled with the sweetness of Thy savor; may it ever thirst for Thee, the fountain of life, the fountain of wisdom and knowledge, the fountain of eternal light, the torrent of pleasure, the fullness of the house of God; may it ever compass Thee, seek Thee, find Thee, run to Thee, come up to Thee, meditate on Thee, speak of Thee, and do all for the praise and glory of Thy name, with humility and discretion, with love and delight, with ease and affection, with perseverance to the end; and be Thou alone ever my hope, my entire confidence, my riches, my delight, my pleasure, my joy, my rest and tranquility, my peace, my sweetness, my food, my refreshment, my refuge, my help, my wisdom, my portion, my possession, my treasure; in Whom may my mind and my heart be ever fixed and firm and rooted immovably. Amen.

Prayer to the Blessed Virgen Mary

O Mary, most holy Virgin and Mother, behold, I have received thy most beloved Son, Jesus Christ, whom thou conceived in thy spotless womb, bore, nursed, and held with thy sweet embraces. Behold Him at whose sight thou will rejoice and be filled with every delight. With love I humbly return Him and offer Him to thee, to hold once more, to love with all thy heart, and to offer to the Holy Trinity as our supreme act of worship for thy honor and glory and for my good and the good of all the world. Therefore, I ask thee, most loving Mother, to ask God for forgiveness of all my sins, abundant graces to help me serve Him more faithfully, and for that final grace that I may praise Him with thee for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer to Saint Joseph

O Guardian of virgins and father, Saint Joseph, to whose faithful custody Innocence itself, Christ Jesus, and Mary, Virgin of virgins, was committed; I pray and beseech thee by each of these dear pledges, Jesus and Mary, that, being preserved from all uncleanness, I may with spotless mind, pure heart, and a chaste body, ever serve Jesus and Mary most chastely all the days of my life. Amen.

The Universal Prayer Attributed to Pope Clement XI

My God, I believe in You; strengthen my faith. All my hopes are in You; secure them. I love You; teach me to love you daily more and more. I am sorry that I have offended You; increase my sorrow. I adore you as the Author of my first beginning. I aspire after you as my last end. I give you thanks as my constant Benefactor, I call upon you as my sovereign Protector. My God, be pleased to conduct me by your wisdom; to restrain me by the thought of Your justice; to comfort me by Your mercy; to defend me by Your power. To You I desire to consecrate all my thoughts, words, deeds, and suffering, that henceforth I may think of you, speak of you, refer all my actions to Your greater glory, and suffer willingly whatever You shall appoint. Lord, I desire that in all things Your Will be done, because it is Your Will, and I desire that all things be done in the manner that You will them. Grant that I may always esteem whatsoever is pleasing to You, despise what You abhor, avoid what You forbid, and do what you command. I beg You to enlighten my understanding, to inflame my will, to purify my body, and to sanctify my soul. My God, give me strength to atone for my sins, to overcome my temptations, to subdue my passions, and to acquire the virtues proper to my state of life. Fill my heart with tender affection for Your goodness, hatred of my faults, love of my neighbor, and contempt of the world. May Your grace help me to be obedient to my superiors, kind and courteous to my inferiors, faithful to my friends, and charitable to my enemies. Assist me to overcome sensuality by self-sacrifice, avarice by alms deeds, anger by meekness, and carelessness by devotion. My God, make me prudent in my undertakings, courageous in danger, patient in trials, and humble in success. Grant that I may be ever attentive at my prayers, temperate at my meals, diligent in my work, and faithful in my good resolutions. Let my conscience be ever upright and pure, my behavior modest, my conversation kind, and my actions edifying. Assist me that I may continually strive to overcome the evil inclinations of my nature, to cooperate with Your grace, to keep Your commandments, and to work out my salvation. My God, make me realize the nothingness of this world, the greatness of heaven, the shortness of time, and the length of eternity. Grant that I may prepare for death; that I may fear Your judgment; that I may escape hell and, in the end, obtain heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Litany of Humility

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.

From the desire of being esteemed…

From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being preferred to others, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being calumniated, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, Jesus.

That others may be loved more than I,

Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That, in the opinion of the world,

others may increase and I may decrease, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be chosen and I set aside, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be praised and I unnoticed, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be preferred to me in everything, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

Prayers for Specific Instances/Circumstances

Prayer for Healing – Luke 5:12-13

Lord, look upon me with eyes of mercy, may your healing hand rest upon me, may your lifegiving powers flow into every cell of my body and into the depths of my soul, cleansing, purifying, restoring me to wholeness and strength for service in your Kingdom. Amen.

“Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.” And the leprosy left him immediately.

Prayer for Growth

With each new day that dawns I am growing up, O Lord. It’s not too soon to start thinking of what I want to be. It’s very hard, I think, to make the right decision but I pray that You will help and guide me. Show me what to do. Let me share, someday, my talents where they’re needed. And when You show me, give me courage to be generous enough to do what You want. Amen.

Prayer in Illness

Lord, I am questioning where you are in all of this. Give me faith. Give me strength. If it is your will, take this burden from me, for I am weak and tired, and I need to feel your healing touch. If I must endure this pain, help me to accept each day with grace and dignity.

Help me to feel your presence. Help my unbelief.

Prayer for the Sick

Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend your sick ones, O Lord Christ. Rest your weary ones. Bless your dying ones. Soothe your suffering ones. Pity your afflicted ones. Shield your joyous ones. And for all your love's sake. Amen.

Prayer for the Dying

Most Merciful Jesus, lover of souls, I pray You, by the agony of Your most Sacred Heart, and by the sorrows of Your Immaculate Mother, to wash in Your Most Precious Blood, the sinners of the world who are now in their agony, and who will die today. Heart of Jesus, once in agony, have mercy on the dying. Amen.

Prayer to St. Anthony

Saint Anthony, perfect imitator of Jesus, who received from God the special power of restoring lost things, grant that I may find (mention your petition) which has been lost. At least restore to me peace and tranquility of mind, the loss of which has afflicted me even more than my material loss.

To this favor I ask another of you: that I may always remain in possession of the true good that is God. Let me rather lose all things than lose God, my supreme good. Let me never suffer the loss of my greatest treasure, eternal life with God. Amen.

Prayer for Poor Souls

O gentle Heart of Jesus, ever present in the Blessed Sacrament, ever consumed with burning love for the poor captive souls in Purgatory, have mercy on them. Be not severe in Your judgments, but let some drops of Your precious blood fall upon the devouring flames. And, Merciful Savior, send Your angels to conduct them to a place of refreshment, light, and peace.

Prayer in Times of Suffering

Behold me, my beloved Jesus, weighed down under the burden of my trials and sufferings, I cast myself at Your feet, that You may renew my strength and my courage, while I rest here in Your Presence. Permit me to lay down my cross my cross in Your Sacred Heart, for only Your infinite goodness can sustain me; only Your infinite love can help me bear my cross; only Your powerful hand can lighten its weight. O Divine King, Jesus, whose heart is so compassionate to the afflicted, I wish to live in You; suffer and die in You. During my life, be to me my model and my support; At the hour of my death, be me hope and refuge. Amen.

St. Ignatius Prayer Against Depression

O Christ Jesus When all is darkness and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the sense of Your Presence, Your Love and Your Strength. Help us to have perfect trust in Your protecting love and strengthening power, so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to You, we shall see Your Hand, Your Purpose, and Your Will through all things.

Prayer for Light

O Holy Spirit of God, take me as thy disciple. Guide me, illuminate me, Sanctify me. Bind my hands that they may do no evil. Cover my Eyes that they may see it no more. Sanctify my heart, that evil may not dwell with in me.

Be thou my God, be thou my guide where ever you lead me, I will go. What so ever you forbid, I will renounce.

and what so ever you command me, in thy strength I will do. Lead me to the fullness of your truth. Amen.

Prayer for times of Temptation

Let me not deceive myself. I know what I am considering is wrong. Let me not be swept away by its immediate attraction.

God the Father, watch over me.

Christ our Lord, strengthen me.

Holy Spirit, live in me.

Saint Joseph, protect me.

Blessed Mother, comfort and pray for me.

Patrons of mine, pray for me.

Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be… Angel of God, my…

Prayers for Vocations

O Holy Spirit, Spirit of wisdom and divine love, impart Your knowledge, understanding, and counsel to youth that they may know the vocation wherein they can best serve God. Give them courage and strength to follow God's holy will. Guide their uncertain steps, strengthen their resolutions, shield their chastity, fashion their minds, conquer their hearts, and lead them to the vineyards where they will labor in God's holy service. Amen.

Lord, I know you love me and have great plans for me. But sometimes I am overwhelmed by the thought of my future. Show me how to walk forward one day at a time. May I take heart while I search openly for what it is you want me to do with my life. Inspire in me wisdom and understanding to see your vision for my life and respond with openness to whatever you call me to be. Show me your way Lord. Amen.

Gracious God, You are the gentle presence, the peaceful light, that fills our whole world. We believe that you care for all your creatures with wisdom and love. Take care of us, your Church, this day. Give to us all grace and courage to live out our baptism as faithful disciples of your son, Jesus Christ. Give us good pastors who will call us to love and forgiveness and lead us in worship. in the community of the Spirit. Bring forth from among us other ministers whose many-splendored gifts will strengthen our community. Raise up people in religious life who by their unusual witness to the Gospel will call us to the love of God and neighbor. You have enfolded the smallness of our humanity in your divinity. Fill us all with your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gracious and loving God, you have blessed us with the privilege of becoming Parents. We ask that you provide us with all that we need in accepting this awesome responsibility. We pray that we will be open to your spirit who is our source of strength as we witness to our children your love for each of them and your desire for them to be happy and to live a full life.

We ask your help so we may guide and encourage our children to believe that they each have a special calling and to use their gifts and talents for others. We pray, Heavenly Father, that our children will discover and respond enthusiastically to your desire for them

whether it be to the vocation of single, married, ordained or consecrated life. We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus through the grace of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer for Vocations

O Father, raise up among Christians abundant and holy vocations to the priesthood, who keep the faith alive and guard the blessed memory of your Son Jesus through the preaching of his word and the administration of the Sacraments, with which you continually renew your faithful. Grant us holy ministers of your altar, who are careful and fervent guardians of the Eucharist, the sacrament of the supreme gift of Christ for the redemption of the world. Call ministers of your mercy, who, through the sacrament of Reconciliation, spread the joy of your forgiveness. Grant, O Father, that the Church may welcome with joy the numerous inspirations of the Spirit of your Son and, docile to His teachings, may she care for vocations to the ministerial priesthood and to the consecrated life. Sustain the Bishops, priests and deacons, consecrated men and women, and all the baptized in Christ, so that they may faithfully fulfill their mission at the service of the Gospel. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Mary, Queen of Apostles, pray for us.

The Angelus (Historically prayed at 6am, noon, and 6pm)

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary: And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary…

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary . . .

And the Word was made Flesh (Genuflect): And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary . . .

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Regina Caeli (Replace Angelus during Easter)

Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia. / For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia.

Has risen, as he said, alleluia. / Pray for us to God, alleluia.

Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. / For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.

Let us pray. O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Anima Christi

Soul of Christ, sanctify me

Body of Christ, save me

Blood of Christ, inebriate me

Water from Christ's side, wash me

Passion of Christ, strengthen me

O good Jesus, hear me

Within Thy wounds hide me

Suffer me not to be separated from Thee

From the malicious enemy defend me

In the hour of my death call me

And bid me come unto Thee

That I may praise Thee with Thy saints

and with Thy angels

Forever and ever

Amen.

Divine Mercy Chaplet Guide

You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.

(Repeat Three Times) O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You! Apostles Creed, Our Father, Hail Mary, & Glory Be

(Our Father Beads) Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

(Hail Mary Beads) For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

(Repeat Three Times) Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion — inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself. Amen

Rosary Mysteries/Guide

CLICK HERE for the "How-to" Guide

Rosaries with Bishop-emeritus Paul Swain

Sunday - Glorious
Monday - Joyful
Tuesday - Sorrowful
Wednesday - Glorious
Thursday - Luminous
Friday - Sorrowful
Saturday - Joyful

Joyful Mysteries

The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38)
The Visitation (Luke 1:39-56)
The Nativity (Luke 2:1-21)
The Presentation (Luke 2:22-38)
The Finding in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52)

Sorrowful Mysteries

The Agony of Jesus in the Garden (Matthew 26:36-56)
The Scourging at the Pillar (Matthew 27:24-26)
The Crowning with Thorns (Matthew 27:27-31)
The Carrying of the Cross (Matthew 27:32-34)
The Crucifixion (Matthew 27:35-56)

Glorious Mysteries

The Resurrection (John 20:1-29)
The Ascension (Luke 24:36-53)
The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-47)
The Assumption (Song of Solomon 2:10-11,14)
The Coronation (Revelation 12:1-6)

Luminous Mysteries

The Baptism of the Lord (Matthew 3:13-17)
The Wedding Feast at Cana (John 2:1-11)
The Preaching of the Kingdom (Mark 1:14-15)
The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13)
The Institution of the Holy Eucharist (Matthew 26:17-29)

Prayer of St. Dominic

May God the Father who made us bless us. May God the Son send his healing among us.

May God the Holy Spirit move within us and give us eyes to see with, ears to hear with,

and hands that your work might be done. May we walk and preach the word of God to all. May the angel of peace watch over us and lead us at last by God's grace to the Kingdom. Amen.

From "The Breastplate of St. Patrick"

Christ be with me, Christ within me,

Christ behind me, Christ before me,

Christ beside me, Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort and restore me.

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,

Christ in hearts of all that love me,

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

Prayer of St. Benedict

Gracious and holy Father, grant us the intellect to understand you, reason to discern you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, a spirit to know you, a heart to meditate upon you. May our ears hear you; may our eyes behold you, and may our tongues proclaim you. Give us grace that our way of life may be pleasing to you, that we may have the patience to wait for you and the perseverance to look for you. Grant us a perfect end--your holy presence, a blessed resurrection and life everlasting. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint Therese of Lisieux’s Prayer for Priests

O Jesus, I pray for Your faithful and fervent priests; for Your unfaithful and tepid priests; for Your priests laboring at home or abroad in distant mission fields; for Your tempted priests; for Your lonely and desolate priest; for Your young priests; for Your dying priests; for the souls of Your priests in purgatory. But above all I recommend to You the priests dearest to me; the priest who baptized me; the priests who absolved me from my sins; the priests at whose Masses I assisted and who gave me Your Body and Blood in Holy communion; the priests who taught and instructed me; all the priests to whom I am indebted in any other way. O Jesus, keep them all close to Your heart, and bless them abundantly in time and in eternity. Amen.

Prayer for Our Times

In a selfish world that seeks to destroy You O Lord, and in a world mounted with false gods and pyramids of pleasure, we seek You O Lord, with a loving and sincere heart.

In a listless world that has lost its divine beat and pulsates erratically with hate, envy and jealousy, greed and every type of crime, we listen for the comforting words You uttered to a little girl when You took her by the hand and said, “Telitha Koum” – Little girl, rise.

In a faithless world we strive to touch the hem of Your garment and our reach is not long enough, it seems. Our courage is hardly reflective of Your undying loyalty and love for us.

In a blind world we search the walls and wells of time, for at least some small penetrating light to restore our faith in You O Lord, and to leave all things directed to Almighty God. In a musty and ill-smelling world sunken very low in the foul odors of our sexually obsessed society, we look to You, O Lord, for relief from the swamp of filth and corruption, to make our senses wholly responsive to the Divine Banquet and the Last Supper in reparation for our sins and the sins of others. The Last Supper became the beginning of our frequent covenant with You, O Lord, in the incensation of the oblation by the angels themselves and in the Divine-Human harmony. In a deaf, indifferent and unconcerned world, O Lord, grant us the hearing of the Holy Word and never close the Holy Words to us. We hope to share in Your life, in Your peace, in Your justice that we remain always in perfect accord with You.

May the deep springs of grace issue forth the gifts and the fruits of the Holy Spirit so that we too may be filled with Divine Love and with Divine Compassion. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, who dwells in eternity with the Father and The Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever, Amen.

Prayers of The Angelic Warfare Confraternity

V. In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

R. Amen.

The Prayer to St. Thomas for Purity

Chosen lily of innocence, pure St. Thomas,

who kept chaste the robe of baptism,

and became an angel in the flesh after being girded by two angels,

we (I) implore you to commend us (me) to Jesus, the Spotless Lamb,

and to Mary, the Queen of Virgins.

Gentle protector of our (my) purity, ask them that we (I),

who wear the holy sign of your victory over the flesh,

may also share your purity,

and after imitating you on earth

may at last come to be crowned with you among the angels. Amen.

The Prayer of St. Thomas for Purity

Dear Jesus,

we (I) know that every perfect gift,

and especially that of chastity,

depends on the power of Your providence.

Without You a mere creature can do nothing.

Therefore, we (I) beg You to defend by Your grace

the chastity and purity of our (my) bodies (body) and souls (soul).

And if we (I) have ever sensed or imagined anything

that could stain our (my) chastity and purity,

blot it out, Supreme Lord of our (my) powers,

that we (I) may advance with a pure heart in Your love and service,

offering ourselves (myself) on the most pure altar of Your divinity

all the days of our (my) lives (life). Amen.

Petitions for Chastity with 15 Hail Mary’s:

1. Dear Jesus, bless our social and cultural climate. Grant that it may be purified of everything contrary to chastity, and that we may have the strength to resist the pressures of prevailing ideologies. “In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have conquered the world” (Jn. 16:33) “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Rom. 8:37) Hail Mary…

2. Dear Jesus, bless our relationships. Grant that they may be holy, healthy, and honorable at all times. “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brethren, love one another earnestly from the heart” (1 Pet. 1:22) Hail Mary…

3. Dear Jesus, bless our modesty in our dress and movement. Grant that the way we dress and carry ourselves may veil the mystery of our being, and that we may have the strength to resist the allurements of fashion and the glamour of sin. “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Rom. 12:2)Hail Mary…

4. Dear Jesus, bless our five senses. Grant that the things we see, the music and jokes we hear, the food we eat, what we drink, the fragrances we smell and the encounters we have through touch may all be pure and holy. “Seek the things that are above” (Col. 3:1) Hail Mary…

5. Dear Jesus, bless our sensuality. Grant that our impulses may not be captivated by base pleasures, but freed by wisdom and inflamed for what is good. “In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood” (Heb. 12:4) Hail Mary…

6. Dear Jesus, bless our imagination, Grant that we may be preserved from any fantasies that defile us, that all impure images may vanish, and that we may be protected from all the assaults of demons. “Be renewed in the spirit of your minds…Put on the whole armor of God” (Eph. 4:23, 6:11) Hail Mary…

7. Dear Jesus, bless our memory. Grant that no memories of past experiences may disturb us in any way, but that the Lord may touch and heal us through hope for a better future. “And every one who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure” (1 Jn. 3:1) Hail Mary…

8. Dear Jesus, bless our estimation. Grant that we may quickly sense dangers to chastity and instinctively flee from them, that we may never turn away from higher, more difficult, and more honorable goods for the sake of sinful self-indulgence. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Mt. 6:19-20) Hail Mary…

9. Dear Jesus, bless our affectivity. Grant that we may love chastity and rejoice in it, that all of our emotions may cooperate in its growth, and that no sadness, discouragement, fear, insecurity, or loneliness may afflict us unto sexual sin. “For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-12) Hail Mary…

10. Dear Jesus, bless our intellect. Grant that it may be purged of all false beliefs and misunderstandings about human sexuality and that the good angels may flood our intellects with thoughts that are gracious, pure, lovely, honorable, and true. “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Phil. 4:8) Hail Mary…

11. Dear Jesus, bless our will. Grant that it may never be opposed by our sensuality, that it may never be divided or conflicted in the moment, but may hold fast to chastity no matter how difficult it may be. “For the Son of God, Jesus Christ…was not Yes and No; but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him.” (2 Cor. 1:19-20) Hail Mary…

12. Dear Jesus, bless our conscience. Grant that it may be swift to judge what is the chaste thing to do, swifter to execute it, and wholly preserved from the suggestions of demons. “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Heb. 9:14) Hail Mary…

13. Dear Jesus, bless our hearts. Grant that the place where Christ abides in us with the Father and the Spirit may become the place where we live with the Holy Trinity in friendship. “Jesus answered him, ‘If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.’ ” (Jn. 14:23) Hail Mary…

14. Dear Jesus, give us the grace of self-surrender. Grant that we may hand over to God nothing less than our whole lives. “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” (Lk. 23:46) “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 5:3) Hail Mary…

15. Dear Jesus, give us Your love. “In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the expiation for our sins.” (1 Jn. 4:10) “But God shows His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8) Hail Mary…

Closing Prayer

Heavenly King, Consoler, Spirit of Truth, You who are everywhere present and fill all things, Treasury of all that is good, Choirmaster of Life, Come, dwell within us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls O Good One. Amen

V. In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

R. Amen.

Prayers to Saint Joseph

Memorare to St. Joseph

Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who implored your help and sought your intercession were left unassisted. Full of confidence in your power I fly unto you and beg your protection. Despise not O Guardian of the Redeemer my humble supplication, but in your bounty, hear and answer me. Amen.

Act of Consecration to St. Joseph

O dearest St. Joseph, I consecrate myself to your honor and give myself to you, that you may always be my father, my protector and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me a greater purity of heart and fervent love of the interior life. After your example may I do all my actions for the greater glory of God, in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. O Blessed St. Joseph, pray for me, that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen.

Hail, Joseph

Hail, Joseph, image of the Eternal Father;

Hail, Joseph, guardian of the Eternal Son;

Hail, Joseph, temple of the Eternal Spirit;

Hail, Joseph, beloved of the Trinity.

Hail, Joseph, spouse and companion of the Mother of God.

Hail, Joseph, friend of angels.

Hail, Joseph, believer in miracles.

Hail, Joseph, follower of dreams.

Hail, Joseph, lover of simplicity.

Hail, Joseph, exemplar of righteousness;

Hail, Joseph, model of meekness and patience;

Hail, Joseph, model of humility and obedience.

Blessed are the eyes that have seen what you saw.

Blessed are the ears that have heard what you heard.

Blessed are the arms that have embraced what you embraced.

Blessed is the lap that has held what you held.

Blessed is the heart that has loved what you loved.

Blessed is the Father who chose you;

Blessed is the Son who loved you:

Blessed is the Spirit who sanctified you.

Blessed is Mary, your spouse, who honored and loved you.

Blessed is the angel who guarded and led you.

And blessed be forever all who remember and honor you. Amen

Prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Hail, Holy Queen

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve: to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus, O merciful, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Amen.

Consecration to Mary

O Mary, Virgin most powerful and Mother of mercy, Queen of Heaven and Refuge of sinners, we consecrate ourselves to thine Immaculate Heart.

We consecrate to thee our very being and our whole life; all that we have, all that we love, all that we are. To thee we give our bodies, our hearts and our souls; to thee we give our homes, our families, our country.

We desire that all that is in us and around us may belong to thee, and may share in the benefits of thy motherly benediction. And that this act of consecration may be truly efficacious and lasting, we renew this day at thy feet the promises of our Baptism and our first Holy Communion. We pledge ourselves to profess courageously and at all times the truths of our holy Faith, and to live as befits Catholics who are duly submissive to all the directions of the Pope and the Bishops in communion with him. We pledge ourselves to keep the commandments of God and His Church, in particular to keep holy the Lord's Day. We likewise pledge ourselves to make the consoling practices of the Christian religion, and above all, Holy Communion, an integral part of our lives, in so far as we shall be able so to do.

Finally, we promise thee, O glorious Mother of God and loving Mother of men, to devote ourselves whole-heartedly to the service of thy blessed cult, in order to hasten and assure, through the sovereignty of thine Immaculate Heart, the coming of the kingdom of the Sacred Heart of thine adorable Son, in our own hearts and in those of all men, in our country and in all the world, as in heaven. so, on earth. Amen.

Litany of the Blessed Virgin

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us. God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, R. pray for us. Holy Mother of God, R. Holy Virgin of virgins, R. Mother of Christ, R. Mother of divine grace, R. Mother most pure, R. Mother most chaste, R. Mother inviolate, R. Mother undefiled, R. Mother most amiable, R. Mother most admirable, R. Mother of good counsel, R. Mother of our Creator, R. Mother of our Savior, R. Virgin most prudent, R. Virgin most venerable, R. Virgin most renowned, R. Virgin most powerful, R. Virgin most merciful, R. Virgin most faithful, R. Mirror of justice, R. Seat of wisdom, R. Cause of our joy, R. Spiritual vessel, R. Vessel of honor, R. Singular vessel of devotion, R. Mystical rose, R. Tower of David, R. Tower of ivory, R. House of gold, R. Ark of the Covenant, R. Gate of Heaven, R. Morning star, R.

Health of the sick, R. Refuge of sinners, R. Comforter of the afflicted, R. Help of Christians, R. Queen of Angels, R. Queen of patriarchs, R. Queen of prophets, R. Queen of apostles, R. Queen of martyrs, R. Queen of confessors, R. Queen of virgins, R. Queen of all saints, R. Queen conceived without Original Sin, R. Queen assumed into Heaven, R. Queen of the most holy Rosary, R. Queen of peace, R. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

Graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

Have mercy on us.

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,

That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, that we Thy Servants may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from present sorrow and enjoy eternal happiness. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Prayers to Jesus

Prayer to Christ the King

Christ Jesus, I acknowledge You King of the universe. All that has been created has been made for You. Make full use of Your rights over me. I renew the promises I made in Baptism, when I renounced Satan and all his works and false glamour, and I promise to live a good Christian life and to do all in my power to procure the triumph of the rights of God and Your Church. Divine Heart of Jesus, I offer you my efforts in order to obtain that all hearts may acknowledge your Sacred Royalty, and that thus the Kingdom of Your peace may be established throughout the universe. Amen.

Prayer to the Divine Child Jesus

Divine Child Jesus, I adore Thee, I love and venerate Thee in Thy holy Infancy. I give Thee thanks that Thou hast become a Child for love of me, and in return I give and consecrate myself entirely to Thy love. I beg Thee to grant me, now, and throughout my life, the virtues of Thy holy Childhood. Give me, dear Jesus, the treasure of Thy humility, the sweetness of Thy charity, the gentleness of Thy patience, and the meekness of Thy Sacred Heart. O may Thy sweet grace draw me, a little one on earth, to love and imitate Thee, that I may forever see and enjoy Thy majesty in heaven. Amen.

Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be…

Prayer to the Sacred Heart

My God, my Savior, I adore Thy Sacred Heart, for that heart is the seat and source of all Thy tender human affections for us sinners.

It is the instrument and organ of Thy love. It did beat for us. It yearned over us. It ached for us, and for our salvation. It was on fire through zeal, that the glory of God might be manifested in and by us. It is the channel through which has come to us all Thy overflowing human affection, all Thy Divine Charity towards us. All Thy incomprehensible compassion for us, as God and Man, as our Creator and our Redeemer and Judge, has come to us, and comes, in one inseparably mingled stream, through that Sacred Heart. O most Sacred symbol and Sacrament of Love, divine and human, in its fullness, Thou didst save me by Thy divine strength, and Thy human affection, and then at length by that wonder-working blood, wherewith Thou didst overflow. O most Sacred, most loving Heart of Jesus, Thou art concealed in the Holy Eucharist, and Thou beat for us still. Now as then Thou save, Desiderio desideravi—“With desire I have desired.” I worship Thee then with all my best love and awe, with my fervent affection, with my most subdued, most resolved will. O my God, when Thou dost condescend to suffer me to receive Thee, to eat and drink Thee, and Thou for a while take up Thy abode within me, O make my heart beat with Thy Heart. Purify it of all that is earthly, all that is proud and sensual, all that is hard and cruel, of all perversity, of all disorder, of all deadness. So fill it with Thee, that neither the events of the day nor the circumstances of the time may have power to ruffle it, but that in Thy love and Thy fear it may have peace. Amen.

Act of Consecration to The Sacred Heart of Jesus

I give myself and consecrate to the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ, my person and my life, my actions, pains and sufferings, so that I may be unwilling to make use of any part of my being other than to honor, love and glorify the Sacred Heart. This is my unchanging purpose, namely, to be all His, and to do all things for the love of Him, at the same time renouncing with all my heart whatever is displeasing to Him. I therefore take You, O Sacred heart, to be the only object of my love, the guardian of my life, my assurance of salvation, the remedy of my weakness and inconstancy, the atonement for all the faults of my life and my sure refuge at the hour of death.

Be then, O Heart of goodness, my justification before God the Father, and turn away from me the strokes of his righteous anger. O Heart of love, I put all my confidence in You, for I fear everything from my own wickedness and frailty, but I hope for all things from Your goodness and bounty.

Remove from me all that can displease You or resist Your holy will; let your pure love imprint Your image so deeply upon my heart, that I shall never be able to forget You or to be separated from You.

May I obtain from all Your loving kindness the grace of having my name written in Your Heart, for in You I desire to place all my happiness and glory, living and dying in bondage to You. Amen.

Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

V. Lord, have mercy R. Lord, have mercy

V. Christ, have mercy R. Christ have mercy

V. Lord, have mercy R. Lord, have mercy

V. Christ, hear us R. Christ, hear us

V. Christ, graciously hear us. R. Christ, graciously hear us

(Respond with “have mercy on us”)

God the Father of Heaven,

God the Son, Redeemer of the world,

God, the Holy Spirit,

Holy Trinity, One God,

Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father,

Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mother,

Heart of Jesus, substantially united to the Word of God,

Heart of Jesus, of Infinite Majesty,

Heart of Jesus, Sacred Temple of God,

Heart of Jesus, Tabernacle of the Most High,

Heart of Jesus, House of God and Gate of Heaven,

Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of charity,

Heart of Jesus, abode of justice and love,

Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love,

Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues,

Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise,

Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts,

Heart of Jesus, in whom are all treasures of wisdom and knowledge,

Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells the fullness of divinity,

Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was well pleased,

Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received,

Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills,

Heart of Jesus, patient and most merciful,

Heart of Jesus, enriching all who invoke Thee,

Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness,

Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins,

Heart of Jesus, loaded down with opprobrium,

Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offenses,

Heart of Jesus, obedient to death,

Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance,

Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation,

Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection,

Heart of Jesus, our peace and our reconciliation,

Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins

Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust in Thee,

Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee,

Heart of Jesus, delight of all the Saints,

Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Lord.

V. Jesus, meek and humble of heart. R. Make our hearts like to Thine.

Let us pray;

Almighty and eternal God, look upon the Heart of Thy most beloved Son and upon the praises and satisfaction which He offers Thee in the name of sinners; and to those who implore Thy mercy, in Thy great goodness, grant forgiveness in the name of the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who lives and reigns with Thee forever and ever. Amen.

Novena to the Sacred Heart

I. O my Jesus, you have said: 'Truly I say to you, ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you. ' Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of...... (here name your request) Our Father... . Hail Mary... . Glory Be to the Father... .

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

II. O my Jesus, you have said: 'Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. ' Behold, in your name, I ask the Father for the grace of...... . (here name your request) Our Father... Hail Mary... . Glory Be To the Father... .

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

III. O my Jesus, you have said: 'Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away. ' Encouraged by your infallible words I now ask for the grace of... . . (here name your request) Our Father... . Hail Mary... . Glory Be to the Father...

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of you, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, your tender Mother and ours.

Say the Hail, Holy Queen and add: St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us.

-- St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Litany of the Most Holy Trinity

Blessed be the holy Trinity and undivided Unity; We will give glory to Him, because He hath shown His mercy to us. O Lord our Lord, how wonderful is Thy Name in all the earth! O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God!

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Blessed Trinity, hear us. Adorable Unity, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, R. God the Holy Ghost, R. Holy Trinity, One God, R. Father from Whom are all things, R. Son through Whom are all things, R. Holy Ghost in Whom are all things, R. Holy and undivided Trinity, R. Father everlasting, R. Only-begotten Son of the Father, R. Spirit Who preceedeth from the Father and the Son, R. Co-eternal Majesty of Three Divine Persons, R. Father, the Creator, R. Son, the Redeemer, R. Holy Ghost, the Comforter, R. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, R. God Most High, who inhabits eternity, R. To Whom alone are due all honor and glory, R. Who alone doest great wonders, R. Power infinite, R. Wisdom, incomprehensible, R. Love unspeakable, R. Be merciful, Spare us, O Holy Trinity.

Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Holy Trinity.

From all evil, Deliver us, O Holy Trinity. From all sin, R. From all pride, R. From all love of riches, R. From all uncleanness, R. From all sloth, R. From all inordinate affection, R. From all envy and malice, R. From all anger and impatience, R. From every thought, word, and deed contrary to Thy holy law, R. From Thine everlasting malediction, R. Through Thy plenteous loving kindness, R. Through the exceeding treasure of Thy goodness and love, R. Through the depths of Thy wisdom and knowledge, R. Through all Thy unspeakable perfections, R.

We sinners, Beseech Thee, hear us. That we may ever serve Thee alone, R. That we may worship Thee in spirit and in truth, R. That we may love Thee with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our strength, R. That, for Thy sake, we may love our neighbor as ourselves, R. That we may faithfully keep Thy holy commandments, R. That we may never defile our bodies and souls with sin, R. That we may go from grace to grace, and from virtue to virtue, R. That we may finally enjoy the sight of Thee in glory, R. That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to hear us, R.

O Blessed Trinity, we beseech Thee, deliver us. O Blessed Trinity, we beseech Thee, save us. O Blessed Trinity, Have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Our Father (silently);

Hail Mary (silently).

V. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in the firmament of Heaven,

R. And worthy to be praised, and glorious, and highly exalted forever.

Let Us Pray:

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast granted Thy servants in the confession of the True Faith, to acknowledge the glory of an Eternal Trinity, and in the power of Thy majesty to adore a Unity: we beseech Thee that by the strength of this faith we may be defended from all adversity. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Litany of Trust

From the belief that I have to earn Your love; Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear that I am unlovable; Deliver me, Jesus.

From the false security that I have what it takes; Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear that trusting You will leave me more destitute; Deliver me, Jesus.

From all suspicion of Your words and promises; Deliver me, Jesus.

From the rebellion against childlike dependency on You; Deliver me, Jesus.

From refusals and reluctances in accepting Your will; Deliver me, Jesus.

From anxiety about the future; Deliver me, Jesus.

From resentment or excessive preoccupation with the past; Deliver me, Jesus.

From restless self-seeking in the present moment; Deliver me, Jesus.

From disbelief in Your love and presence; Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being asked to give more than I have; Deliver me, Jesus.

From the belief that my life has no meaning or worth; Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of what love demands; Deliver me, Jesus.

From discouragement; Deliver me, Jesus.

That You are continually holding me sustaining me, loving me; Jesus, I trust in you.

That Your love goes deeper than my sins and failings, and transforms me; Jesus, I trust in you.

That not knowing what tomorrow brings is an invitation to lean on You; Jesus, I trust in you.

That you are with me in my suffering; Jesus, I trust in you.

That my suffering, united to Your own, will bear fruit in this life and the next; Jesus, I trust in you.

That You will not leave me orphan, that You are present in Your Church; Jesus, I trust in you.

That Your plan is better than anything else; Jesus, I trust in you.

That You always hear me and in Your goodness always respond to me; Jesus, I trust in you.

That You give me the grace to accept forgiveness and to forgive others; Jesus, I trust in you.

That You give me all the strength I need for what is asked; Jesus, I trust in you.

That my life is a gift; Jesus, I trust in you.

That You will teach me to trust You; Jesus, I trust in you.

That You are my Lord and my God; Jesus, I trust in you.

That I am Your beloved one; Jesus, I trust in you.

Amen.

The Monstrance Prayer for Evangelization

Our Father… Mary, you were the first and perfect monstrance, perfect follower of God’s Will, and most faithful disciple of Our Lord Jesus, make us in Your likeness. Hail Mary… Lord, make us Your monstrances. Live in us, and sanctify us as Your vessels. Grant Lord that You may be visible through us. Let our life be a light to those whom We encounter. Allow Your love to be radiated through us and that Your grace may flow through us to the hearts of those who need You. Let them feel Your presence through us. Form us to be Your holy vessels, and cleanse us of our infirmities, brighten our souls, and allow us to shine and glow with Your presence. Grant that by this, they would not be distracted by our imperfections and previous unguided choices. Guide us in Your plans for us, by Your grace lead us from sin, and closer in holiness and righteousness to that of Your most Sacred Heart. Allow that others would see Your presence in us, and therefore, help us to accurately represent You to Your creation, as the Saints before us. Make our heart your suitable dwelling. If there is anything that doesn’t satisfy you, let it be changed. Likewise, Lord, grant that by purifying our hearts, you would leaven the whole loaf, purifying our entire being; mind, body, and soul. That by being Your temples, You might live with in us, work through us by your Spirit, protect us from our enemies (visible and invisible), and preserve us in trial and temptation. We ask this through, Our Lord, Jesus Christ our Judge and our Savior and Mary, our Mother. Glory Be… Amen. Back to Table of Contents

Litany of Thanksgiving

Thank you, Lord, for my stupidity, for as a gift from you it humbles me and prevents me from thinking too highly of myself.

Thank you, Lord, for my weaknesses, that your power may be shown through them.

Thank you for your love which gives me my worth.

Thank you for the penances of my natural body (one's which are temporary or permanent), that I may never be too comfortable and have to worry about the appropriateness of the Penances of our own making but in obedience humbly accept this you give us.

Thank you for those who frustrate me that I may not forget where my home is.

Thank you for my life that I have something to offer you.

Thank you for death, that I may have an opportunity to be closer to you.

Thank you for my spiritual smallness that it may grow through you.

Thank you for your church; my family and means of finding you. Your church which brings me friends to strengthen me, teachers to help me know you, examples who show me how to live by your commands, priests to help me praise you, and truth to see you.

Thank you for life's difficulties which strengthen me.

Thank you for life's joys that show me your grace and love.

Thank you for your mother that cares so much for me and, by her merits and created nature, draws me nearer to thee.

Thank you for your spirit, light and presence in my soul that I cannot accidentally or uncontrollably be separated from, distanced from, or removed from you, your love, or grace.

Thank you for your mercy that I may have recourse even if angels don't, for who would be just in Your sight.

Thank you for your Fatherly care which draws me to you.

Thank you for making me human to help me understand my helplessness and fallibility

Thank you for dying for me that I may live and know the extent of your love.

Thank you for living for me that I may know and understand you.

Thank you for the beauty of your creation that I may have a taste of your beauty.

Thank you for my patrons who pray for me, that I may see you in them and hear their prayer.

Thank you for those who: resent me, doubt me, hate me, curse me, hurt me, abuse me, don't understand me, test me, tempt me from you, hurt those I love, hate those I love, don't listen to me, don't care for my pain, discourage me, take credit for my work, assume it is anything but my fault in my success, falsely accuse me, change the words I say when quoting me, say I blaspheme when I speak truth, only see me for my failings, alienate me for who I am, don't see change in me, don't see God in me, don't treat me as a person, wish evil upon me, are pleased by my suffering, laugh at my tears, cry at my joy, scowl at me, have no mercy, try to offend you because I don't like it, break your or my heart because the like the way it feels, betray me, hate you because you loved me, act rudely to me, exclude me, don't forgive me, steal from me, and treat me as scum of the Earth because to my words, deeds, and/or beliefs; that I understand your suffering better and be united to you through it.

Thank you for those who: abide with me, love me, care about and for me, nurture me as their own offspring because I am yours, encourage me, bring me to you, help me heal, care for my loved ones, guide those I love to you, think highly of me, understand me, watch me grow, praise you because of me, heed my words, love me as your creation, see you in me, love me because I am yours, rightly praise God in my success, care for my emotions, love you as I do or better, long to be with you, include me, precede me in virtue, smile at me, laugh with me, would rather die than offend you, cry with me, only see me for my strengths, believe in me, help me in suffering, forgive my failings, follow me, answer my needs, wish the best for me, and listen to my thoughts; that through them I may know: what you are like, your love for me, you heal me, you restore me, and you want me more than I could ever want you.

Thank you for my family and their love for me.

Thank you for my parents, who guide me by both their successes and failings.

of Calcutta’s Humility List

“Humility is the mother of all virtues; purity, charity and obedience. It is in being humble that our love becomes real, devoted and ardent. If you are humble nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are. If you are blamed you will not be discouraged. If they call you a saint you will not put yourself on a pedestal.” - Mother Teresa of Calcutta

1.Speak as little as possible about yourself.

2. Keep busy with your own affairs and not those of others.

3. Avoid curiosity.

4. Do not interfere in the affairs of others.

5. Accept small irritations with good humor.

6. Do not dwell on the faults of others.

7. Accept censures even if unmerited.

8. Give in to the will of others.

9. Accept insults and injuries.

10. Accept contempt, being forgotten and disregarded.

11. Be courteous and delicate even when provoked by someone.

12. Do not seek to be admired and loved.

13. Do not protect yourself behind your own dignity.

14. Give in, in discussions, even when you are right.

15. Choose always the more difficult task.

"Learn to be humble by doing all the humble work and doing it for Jesus. You cannot learn humility from books; you learn it by accepting humiliations. Humiliations are not meant to torture us; they are gifts from God. These little humiliations—if we accept them with joy—will help us to be holy, to have a meek and humble heart like Jesus."

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Gardening the Soul

The soul is a garden. When a garden is planted the gardener knows what they want to get from the garden when it is time for harvest. The gardener plants the best fruits and vegetables. The gardener, then maintains the garden, protects it from weather that may harm it, fertilizes it, and nurtures the garden not just to harvest a large yield, but also for a beautiful array of colors and succulent taste. The gardener must also prevent growth of plants that rob the sown plants of water, nutrients, and light necessary for proper growth and yield. “The Saint is the Sinner who kept trying”- Saint Josemaría Escrivá

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Precept of the Catholic Church

1. You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor.

We must “sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord” (Sunday), as well as the principal feast days, known as Catholic holy days of obligation. This requires attending Mass, “and by resting from those works and activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days.”

2. You shall confess your sins at least once a year.

We must prepare for the Eucharist by means of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). This sacrament “continues Baptism’s work of conversion and forgiveness.”

3. You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season.

This “guarantees as a minimum the reception of the Lord’s Body and Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts, the origin and center of the Christian liturgy.”

4. You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church.

“The fourth precept ensures the times of ascesis and penance which prepare us for the liturgical feasts and help us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart.” See below for more about fasting & abstinence.

5. You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.

“The fifth precept means that the faithful are obliged to assist with the material needs of the Church, each according to his own ability.”

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The 4 Cardinal Virtues

"If anyone loves righteousness, [Wisdom's] labors are virtues; for she teaches temperance and prudence, justice, and courage."⁶⁴ These virtues are praised under other names in many passages of Scripture.

1. Prudence is the virtue that disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it; "the prudent man looks where he is going." "Keep sane and sober for your prayers." Prudence is "right reason in action," writes St. Thomas Aquinas, following Aristotle.⁶⁷ It is not to be confused with timidity or fear, nor with duplicity or dissimulation. It is called auriga virtutum (the charioteer of the virtues); it guides the other virtues by setting rule and measure. It is prudence that immediately guides the judgment of conscience. The prudent man determines and directs his conduct in accordance with this judgment. With the help of this virtue we apply moral principles to particular cases without error and overcome doubts about the good to achieve and the evil to avoid.

2. Justice is the moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor. Justice toward God is called the "virtue of religion." Justice toward men disposes one to respect the rights of each and to establish in human relationships the harmony that promotes equity with regard to persons and to the common good. The just man, often mentioned in the Sacred Scriptures, is distinguished by habitual right thinking and the uprightness of his conduct toward his neighbor. "You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor."⁶⁸ "Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven."⁶⁹

3. Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life. The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions. It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause. "The Lord is my strength and my song."⁷⁰ "In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."⁷¹

4. Temperance is the moral virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods. It ensures the will's mastery over instincts and keeps desires within the limits of what is honorable. The temperate person directs the sensitive appetites toward what is good and maintains a healthy discretion: "Do not follow your inclination and strength, walking according to the desires of your heart."⁷² Temperance is often praised in the Old Testament: "Do not follow your base desires, but restrain your appetites."⁷³ In the New Testament it is called "moderation" or "sobriety." We ought "to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world."⁷⁴

To live well is nothing other than to love God with all one's heart, with all one's soul and with all one's efforts; from this it comes about that love is kept whole and uncorrupted (through temperance). No misfortune can disturb it (and this is fortitude). It obeys only [God] (and this is justice), and is careful in discerning things, so as not to be surprised by deceit or trickery (and this is prudence).

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