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(God or Lord,(God the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit) specifically or collectively to the Trinity);
Our Lady directly or under a specifc title;
a specifically named angel or saint.
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adoration,
thanksgiving,
petition.
reflection
repentance
surrender or trust
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Trinity: Glory to you!
My hope is the Father. My refuge is the Son. My protection is the Holy Spirit. Blessed Trinity, glory to You. I am loved by God the Father, Who created me out of Himself, in His own image. I am loved and redeemed by God the Son, my Precious Jesus, Who loved me and gave Himself for me. I am loved and indwelt by God the Holy Spirit, God’s power and presence within me. Blessed Trinity, glory to You.
Lorica of St. Patrick
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.
I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth and His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.
I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In preachings of the apostles,
In faiths of confessors,
In innocence of virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.
I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me
From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices,
From every one who desires me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a mulitude.
I summon today all these powers between me and evil,
Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of women and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.
Christ shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that reward may come to me in abundance.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through a confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation
St. Patrick (ca. 377)
Prayers to Our Lord
Truths: A Reflection to begin the day
God responds to his children as much as they trust him, and it is relative to this trust that He can then work miracles through them.
To any spiritual attack of any sort and of any size, from the tiniest to the most immense, there will not only be a resolution, but in addition a reward, a God given grace which without exception will be LARGER than the attack itself.
Fatima Pardon Prayer A prayer given by the Angel of Peace to the 3 children of Fatima in Spring of 1916.
My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love Thee! I beg pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love Thee. Amen.
Hymn of Praise (Dn 3:52-90) 52 Blessed are you, O Lord the God of our fathers: and worthy to be praised, and glorified, and exalted above all forever: and blessed is the holy name of your glory: and worthy to be praised, and exalted above all in all ages. 53 Blessed are You in the holy temple of your glory: and exceedingly to be praised and exceeding glorious forever.
54 Blessed are You on the throne of your kingdom, and exceedingly to be praised and exalted above all forever.
55 Blessed are You, that beholds the depths, and sits upon the Cherubim: and worthy to be praised and exalted above all forever.
56 Blessed are You in the firmament of heaven: and worthy of praise, and glorious forever.
57 All the works of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
58 O the angels of the Lord bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever. 59 O the heavens, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
60 O all the waters that are above the heavens, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
61 O all the powers of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
62 O the sun and moon, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
63 O the stars of heaven, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
64 O every shower and dew, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
65 O all the spirits of God, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
66 O the fire and heat, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
67 O the winter cold and summer heat, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
68 O the dews and hoar frosts, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
69 O the frost and cold, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
70 O the ice and snow, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
71 O the nights and days, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
72 O the light and darkness, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
73 O the lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
74 O let the earth, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
75 O the mountains and hills, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
76 O all the things that spring up in the earth, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever..
77 O the fountains, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
78 O the seas and rivers, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
79 O the whales, and all that move in the waters, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
80 O all the fowls of the air, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
81 O all the beasts and cattle, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
82 O the sons of men, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
83 O let Israel, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever..
84 O the priests of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
85 O the servants of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
86 O the spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
87 O the holy and humble of heart, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
88 O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever. For he hath delivered us from hell, and saved us out of the hand of death, and delivered us out of the midst of the burning flame and saved us out of the midst of the fire.
89 O give thanks to the Lord, because he is good: because his mercy endures forever and ever.
90 O all the religious, bless the Lord the God of gods: praise him and give him thanks, because his mercy endures forever and ever.
A Prayer for Detachment
I beg of You, my Lord, to remove anything which separates me from You, and You from me.
Remove anything that makes me unworthy of Your sight, Your control, Your correction; of Your
speech and conversation, of Your benevolence and love.
Cast from me every evil that stands in the way of my seeing You, hearing, tasting, savoring, and touching
You; fearing and being mindful of You; knowing, trusting, loving, and possessing You; being conscious of
Your presence and, as far as may be, enjoying You.
This is what I ask for myself and earnestly desire from You. Amen.
A Prayer for Priests
O Almighty Eternal God look upon the face of Christ, and for the love of Him who is the Eternal High Priest, have pity on Your priests. Remember, O most compassionate God, that they are but weak and frail human beings. Stir up in them the grace of their vocation which is in them by the imposition of the bishop's hands. Keep them close to You, lest the Enemy prevail against them, so that they may never do anything in the slightest degree unworthy of their sublime vocation.
O Jesus, I pray to You 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 priests; for Your young priests; for Your aged priests; for Your sick priests, for Your dying priests; for the souls of Your priests in purgatory.
But above all I commend 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, or helped and encouraged me; all the priests to whom I am indebted in any other way, particularly (Name the priest for whom you wish to pray).
O Jesus, keep them all close to Your Heart, and bless them abundantly in time and in eternity. Amen.
A Prayer for souls In Purgatory
Eternal Father, I offer You the most precious blood of your Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, for those in my own home and in my family. Amen.
A Prayer of Exorcism
Lord God of heaven and earth, in Your power and goodness, You created all things. You set a path for us to walk on and a way to an eternal relationship. By the strength of Your arm and Word of Your mouth, cast from Your Holy Church every fearful deceit of the devil. Drive from us manifestations of the demonic that oppress us and beckon us to silence and treason. Still the lying tongue of the devil and his forces so that we may act freely and faithfully to Your will. Send Your holy angels to cast out all influence that the demonic entities in charge of treason have planted in Your Church. Free us, our families, our parish, our diocese, and our country from all trickery and deceit perpetrated by the devil and his hellish legions. Trusting in Your goodness Lord, we know if You will it, it will be done, in unity with Your Son and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.
A Prayer of Humble Access
We do not presume to come to this your table, O merciful Lord,
trusting in our own righteousness,
but in your abundant and great mercies.
We are not worthy so much as to gather up
the crumbs under your table;
but you are the same Lord
whose character is always to have mercy.
Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord,
so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ,
and to drink his blood,
that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body,
and our souls washed through his most precious blood,
and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.
A Prayer of Reparation
My Lord and my God, we have allowed the temptation of the devil to move our hearts toward treason. We have fallen into treason when we have not lived up to the call of our baptism by not acknowledging You before others. We fear the persecution in every aspect of our lives, especially those things that impact our income or our social relationships. In our weakness, we have been weak in faith, and betrayed You like Peter in the courtyard, denying You far many more times. In so many ways, we fear the ill-will of man more than we fear the loss of heaven. We turn to You Lord, in our weakness, and beg Your forgiveness for our countless betrayals. We love You, Lord, and we beg for the courage to say to others, "Yes, I know Him who is Lord of heaven and earth." We know, Lord, if You will it, it will be done. Trusting in You, we offer our prayer to You who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
A Prayer of Surrender and Trust
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for
certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following Your Will
does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please You does, in fact,
please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart
from that desire. And I know that if I do this You will lead me by the right road, though I may know
nothing about it. Therefore I will trust You always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of
death. I will not fear, for You are ever with me, and You will never leave me to face my perils alone.
Chaplet of Unity
Recite on the large bead before each of the five decades:
God our Heavenly Father, through Your Son Jesus, our Victim-High Priest, True Prophet, and Sovereign King, pour forth the power of Your Holy Spirit upon us and open our hearts. In Your Great Mercy, through the motherly mediation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Queen, forgive our sinfulness, heal our brokenness, and renew our hearts in the faith, and peace, and love, and joy of Your Kingdom, that we may be one in You.
Recite on the ten small beads of each of the five decades:
In Your Great Mercy, forgive our sinfulness, heal our brokenness, and renew our hearts that we may be one in You.
Conclude in unison:
Hear, O Israel! The Lord Our God is One God! Oh Jesus, King of All Nations, may Your reign be recognized on Earth! Mary, Our Mother and Mediatrix of All Grace, pray and intercede for us your children! Saint Michael, great prince, and guardian of your people, come with the holy angels and saints and protect us!
Refresh Me Lord
Refresh me O Lord, for the journey that lies in this untried day;
Fill me with love and compassion for others along my way.
May the beauLful fruit of the Spirit be abundant enough to share,
With a friend or a hungry stranger with a heavy burden to bear.
Let me pause lest I go out empty into life’s turbulent street;
Oh fill me to overflowing for the sake of the souls I’ll meet.
St. Francis' Prayer for Peace
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
St. Michael the Archangel's Prayer for Reparation
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, I adore You profoundly, and I offer You the Most Precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of the same Son Jesus Christ present in all the Tabernacles of the world, in reparation for all the sacrileges, outrages, and indifferences by which He Himself is offended. Through the infinite merits of His Most Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of You the conversion of poor sinners.
St. Theresa of Avila's Prayer to Redeem Lost Time
O my God! Source of all mercy! I acknowledge Your sovereign power. While recalling the wasted years that are past, I believe that You, Lord, can in an instant turn this loss to gain. Miserable as I am, yet I firmly believe that You can do all things. Please restore to me the time lost, giving me your Grace, both now and in the future, that I may appear before You in wedding garments.
The Will of God
Lord God, who wills not the death of a sinner but rather that he be converted and live, grant we beseech
thee, that through the intercession of Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, St. Joseph her spouse, and all the saints,
an increase of laborers throughout Your Church, fellow laborers with Christ who will spend and consume
themselves for souls. Through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son Our Lord, who lives and reigns with You,
One God, forever and ever. Amen.
The Universal Prayer
Lord, I believe in you: INCREASE my faith.
I trust in you: STRENGTHEN my trust.
I love you: LET ME LOVE YOU more and more.
I am sorry for my sins: DEEPEN my sorrow.
I WORSHIP you as my first beginning,
I LONG for you as my last end,
I PRAISE you as my constant helper,
And CALL ON YOU as my loving protector.
GUIDE me by your wisdom,
CORRECT me with your justice,
COMFORT me with your mercy,
PROTECT me with your power.
I OFFER YOU, Lord, MY THOUGHTS to be fixed on you;
MY WORDS to have you for their theme;
MY ACTIONS to reflect my love for you;
MY SUFFERINGS to be endured for your greater glory.
I WANT TO DO what you ask of me
IN THE WAY you ask,
FOR AS LONG as you ask,
Because YOU ask it.
Lord, ENLIGHTEN my understanding,
STRENGTHEN my will,
PURIFY my heart,
and MAKE ME HOLY.
Help me to REPENT of my past sins
And to RESIST TEMPTATION in the future.
Help me to RISE ABOVE my human weakness as a Christian.
Let me LOVE YOU, my Lord and my God,
And SEE MYSELF as I really am -
A PILGRIM in this world,
A Christian called to respect and love, ALL whose lives I touch,
Those under my authority, my friends and my enemies.
Help me to CONQUER ANGER with gentleness,
GREED by generosity,
APATHY by fervor.
Help me to FORGET MYSELF
And REACH OUT toward others.
Make me PRUDENT in planning,
COURAGEOUS in taking risks.
Make me PATIENT in suffering,
UNASSUMING in prosperity.
Keep me, Lord, ATTENTIVE at prayer,
TEMPERATE in food and drink,
DILIGENT in my work,
FIRM in my good intentions
Let my CONSCIENCE be clear,
My CONDUCT without fault,
My SPEECH blameless,
My LIFE well-ordered.
PUT ME ON GUARD against my human weaknesses.
Let me CHERISH your love for me,
KEEP your law,
And COME AT LAST to your salvation.
TEACH ME to realize that this world is passing,
That my true future is the HAPPINESS OF HEAVEN,
That LIFE ON EARTH is short,
And the life to come ETERNAL.
Help me to PREPARE for death
With a PROPER FEAR of judgment,
But a GREATER TRUST in your goodness.
LEAD ME SAFELY through death
To the endless joy of heaven.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers to Jesus
Act of Consecration to Christ the King
Oh Christ my King, I consecrate my heart to you. I consecrate my family and
the whole world to you today. I acknowledge You as the Grand Architect and
Master Planner of the whole world. I acknowledge Your Kingship, You reign in
Heaven and on earth. Take me, Jesus Christ my King. Use me as Your little
servant to spread Your love to this world. I give myself entirely to You and I
ask the Holy Spirit to make me more like You. Amen.
Act of Reparation to Christ the King
Oh, Christ my King I wish to make reparation for my sins and the sins of the whole
world- for our ingratitude, always making requests from Jesus and never returning
thanks for favors received, nor asking for forgiveness for acts committed against You.
Behold, my King I bow before Your altar of Salvation eager to repair by a special act of
homage the cruel indifference and injuries, constant denial, desecration of your altar and
place of worship, and profanation of Your Holy Name used in curse words, as a joke, or
in an irreverent manner. I beg pardon for and wish to offer sacrifices and prayers for the
ungodly acts of lying, theft, harboring anger or hatred against others, adultery, sexual
or immodest desires, gossiping or backbiting, blasphemy, swearing falsely in Your name,
teaching grave errors on religion, or all neglect of Thy great love and for the sins we and
others have committed in the past. Create in me (us) a pure heart, O Lord My King, and
renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your Presence, O Mighty King or
take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me and the human race forgiveness for
reparation of sins committed against You, Your Reign and Your Kingdom. Amen.
Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
O sweet Jesus, Whose overflowing charity for me is requited by so much forgetfulness, negligence and contempt, behold us prostrate before Your altar (in Your presence) eager to repair by a special act of homage the cruel indifference and injuries, to which Your loving Heart is everywhere subject.
Mindful alas! that we ourselves have had a share in such great indignities, which we now deplore from the depths of our hearts, we humbly ask Your pardon and declare our readiness to atone by voluntary expiation not only for our own personal offenses, but also for the sins of those, who, straying far from the path of salvation, refuse in their obstinate infidelity to follow You, their Shepherd and Leader, or, renouncing the vows of their baptism, have cast off the sweet yoke of Your Law.
We are now resolved to expiate each and every deplorable outrage committed against You; we are determined to make amends for the manifold offenses against Christian modesty in unbecoming dress and behavior, for all the foul seductions laid to ensnare the feet of the innocent, for the frequent violations of Sundays and holidays, and the shocking blasphemies uttered against You and Your Saints.
We wish also to make amends for the insults to which Your Vicar on earth and Your priest are subjected, for the profanation, by conscious neglect or terrible acts of sacrilege, of the very Sacrament of Your Divine Love; and lastly for the public crimes of nations who resist the rights and teaching authority of the Church which You have founded.
Would, O divine Jesus, we were able to wash away such abominations with our blood. We now offer, in reparation for these violations of Your divine honor, the satisfaction You once made to Your eternal Father on the cross and which You continue to renew daily on our altars; we offer it in union with the acts of atonement of Your Virgin Mother and all the Saints and of the pious faithful on earth; and we sincerely promise to make recompense, as far as we can with the help of Your grace, for all neglect of Your great love and for the sins we and others have committed in the past.
Henceforth we will live a life of unwavering faith, of purity of conduct, of perfect observance of the precepts of the gospel and especially that of charity. We promise to the best of our power to prevent others from offending You and to bring as many as possible to follow You.
O loving Jesus, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our model in reparation, deign to receive the voluntary offering we make of this act of expiation; and by the crowning gift of perseverance keep us faithful unto death in our duty and the allegiance we owe to You, so that we may one day come to that happy home, where You with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, God, world without end. Amen.
Anima Christi
Soul of Christ, sanctify me; Body of Christ, save me; Blood of Christ, inebriate me; Water from the side of Christ, wash me; Passion of Christ, strengthen me; O good Jesus hear me; Within your wounds hide me; separated from you, let me never be; From the evil one protect me; At the hour of my death, call me; And close to you bid me; That with your saints, I may be praising you forever and ever.
Bind Myself to Jesus
In the name of Jesus, I bind my mind to the Mind of Christ. In the name of Jesus, I bind my will and desires to God’s will and purposes for my life. In the name of Jesus, I bind my health to the Lord’s power over all that is physical. In the name of Jesus, I bind myself to the Truth of God and the Love of God. In the Name of Jesus, I bind my family's needs to God's unlimited resources. In the Name of Jesus, I bind my future to God's infinite wisdom and design for my life. In the Name of Jesus, I bind my body to the Resurrection life of Jesus. In the Name of Jesus, I bind my spirit, soul, and body to the Blood of Jesus. In the Name of Jesus, I bind myself to the Word of God, which will renew my mind and set me free. And Father, in the Name of Your Son, I bind my heart to Your Heart.
Divine Mercy Novena Introduction
The Divine Mercy Novena can be said at any time of the day and beginning on any day of the year, however it is recommended that it be said at 3pm on the nine days preceeding Divine Mercy Sunday. The novena is actually a recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy with specific intentions Jesus provided to St. Faustina.
First Day: Today, bring to Me all mankind, especially all sinners, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me.
Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust which, we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from it. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit. Oh, omnipotence of Divine Mercy, Salvation of sinful people, You are a sea of mercy and compassion; You aid those who entreat You with humility. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy forever and ever. Amen.
(To Chaplet)
Second Day: Today bring to me the souls of priests and religious, and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave Me the strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them, as through channels, My mercy flows out upon mankind. Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in us, that we may perform worthy works of mercy, and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven. The fountain of God’s love Dwells in pure hearts, Bathed in the Sea of Mercy, Radiant as stars, bright as the dawn.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company [of chosen ones] in Your vineyard — upon the souls of priests and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation, and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen. (To Chaplet)
Third Day: Today bring to Me all devout and faithful souls, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. These souls brought Me consolation on the Way of the Cross. They were that drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness.
Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy You impart Your graces in great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by that most wondrous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely. The miracles of mercy are impenetrable. Neither the sinner nor just one will fathom them. When You cast upon us an eye of pity, You draw us all closer to Your love. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, grant them Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but rather, with all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify your boundless mercy for endless ages. Amen. (To Chaplet)
Fourth Day: Today bring to Me the pagans and those who do not yet know Me. I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy.
Most compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of pagans who as yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may extol Your wonderful mercy; and do not let them escape from the abode which is Your Most Compassionate Heart. May the light of Your love Enlighten the souls in darkness; Grant that these souls will know You And, together with us, praise Your mercy. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of pagans and of those who as yet do not know You, but who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw them to the light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is to love You. Grant that they, too, may extol the generosity of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen. (To Chaplet)
Fifth Day: Today bring to Me the souls of heretics and schismatics, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. During My bitter Passion they tore at My Body and Heart; that is, My Church. As they return to unity with the Church, My wounds heal, and in this way they alleviate My Passion.
Most Merciful Jesus, Goodness Itself, You do not refuse light to those who seek it of You. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of heretics and schismatics. Draw them by Your light into the unity of the Church, and do not let them escape from the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart; but bring it about that they, too, come to extol the generosity of Your mercy. Even for those who have torn the garment of Your unity, A fount of mercy flows from Your Heart. The omnipotence of Your mercy, Oh God. Can lead these souls also out of error. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of heretics and schismatics, who have squandered Your blessings and misused Your graces by obstinately persisting in their errors. Do not look upon their errors, but upon the love of Your own Son and upon His bitter Passion, which He underwent for their sake, since they, too, are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Bring it about that they also may glorify Your great mercy for endless ages. Amen. (To Chaplet)
Sixth Day: Today bring to me the meek and humble souls and the souls of little children, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as earthly Angels, who would keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. Only the humble soul is able to receive My grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence.
Most Merciful Jesus, You yourself have said, “Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart.” Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy and they are the heavenly Father’s favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek and humble souls, and upon the souls of little children who are enfolded in the abode which is the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance to Your Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very throne. Father of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and by the delight You take in them: Bless the whole world, that all souls together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen. (To Chaplet)
Seventh Day: Today bring to me the souls who especially venerate and glorify My mercy, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over My Passion and entered most deeply into My Spirit. They are living images of My Compassionate Heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death.
Most Merciful Jesus, whose Heart is Love Itself, receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who particularly extol and venerate the greatness of Your mercy. These souls are mighty with the very power of God Himself. In the midst of all afflictions and adversities they go forward, confident of Your mercy. These souls are united to Jesus and carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls will not be judged severely, but Your mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life. A soul who praises the goodness of his Lord Is especially loved by Him. He is always close to the living fountain And draws graces from Mercy Divine. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify and venerate Your greatest attribute, that of Your fathomless mercy, and who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls are a living Gospel; their hands are full of deeds of mercy, and their spirit, overflowing with joy, sings a canticle of mercy to You, O Most High! I beg You O God: Show them Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have placed in You. Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus, who said to them, I Myself will defend as My own glory, during their lifetime, and especially at the hour of their death, those souls who will venerate My fathomless mercy. (To Chaplet)
Eighth Day: Today bring to Me the souls who are in the prison of Purgatory, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice.
Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet, who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of the purifying fire, that in that place, too, the power of Your mercy may be praised. From that terrible heat of the cleansing fire rises a plaint to Your mercy, And they receive comfort, refreshment, relief In the stream of mingled Blood and Water. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded, manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way than through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. (To Chaplet)
Ninth Day: Today bring to Me souls who have become lukewarm, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: “Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.” For them, the last hope of salvation is to flee to My mercy.
Most Compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love let these tepid souls, who like corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of Your love; and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power. Fire and ice cannot be joined; Either the fire dies, or the ice melts. But by Your mercy, O God, You can make up for all that is lacking. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls, who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy… O day of eternity, O day so long desired, with thirst and longing, my eyes search you out. Soon love will tear the veil asunder, and you will be my salvation. O day most beautiful, moment incomparable, when for the first time I shall see my God, the Bridegroom of my soul and Lord of lords, and fear will not restrain my soul. O day most solemn, O day of brightness, When the soul will know God in His omnipotence and drown totally in His love, Knowing the miseries of exile are o’er. O happy day, O blessed day, When my heart will burn for You with fire eternal, For even now I feel Your presence, though through the veil. Through life and death, O Jesus, You are my rapture and delight. O day, of which I dreamed through all my life, Waiting long for You, O God, For it is You alone whom I desire. You are the one and only of my heart; all else is naught. O day of delight, day of eternal bliss, God of great majesty, my beloved Spouse, You know that nothing will satisfy a virgin heart. On Your tender Heart I rest my brow. (To Chaplet)
Chaplet of Christ the King Invocation of the Holy Spirit:
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love. L: Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created R: And you shall renew the face of the earth Let us Pray.
O God, Who did teach the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us
by the same Spirit to be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolations, through Christ
Our Lord. Amen.
The Apostles Creed Our Father*...3 Hail Mary's*...Glory Be*...
Invocation
Jesus Christ, Mighty King, I acknowledge You as King of the Universe.
All that has been created has been made for You.
Make full use of Your rights over me. Amen
THE FIRST MYSTERY
Jesus Declares His Kingship
Matthew 21:5-9
“Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and
the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread
their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on
the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
OUR FATHER*…………… HAIL MARY*
L: Jesus Christ King of the whole world
R: Have Mercy on us and the whole world (12X)
GLORY BE
THE SECOND MYSTERY
Jesus Christ our King Sits on the Throne of David
Isaiah 9:7
There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of
David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and
righteousness From then on and forevermore the zeal of the LORD of hosts will
accomplish this.
OUR FATHER*…………… HAIL MARY*
L: Jesus Christ King of the whole world
R: Have Mercy on us and the whole world (12X)
GLORY BE
THE THIRD MYSTERY
Jesus Christ King of all Nations
Matthew 19:28-29
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of
Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve
thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or
brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will
receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
OUR FATHER*…………… HAIL MARY*
L: Jesus Christ King of the whole world
R: Have Mercy on us and the whole world (12X)
GLORY BE
THE FOURTH MYSTERY
Sovereignty of Christ the King
Ephesians 1:20-23
God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him
at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and
dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age
to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all
things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
OUR FATHER*…………… HAIL MARY*
L: Jesus Christ King of the whole world
R: Have Mercy on us and the whole world (12X)
GLORY BE
THE FIFTH MYSTERY
Christ the King Sits on the Throne of God
Revelation 11:15-17
The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and
there were loud voices in heaven, which said:
“The kingdom of the world has become
the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah,
and he will reign for ever and ever.”
And the twenty-four elders, who were seated
on their thrones before God, fell on their faces
and worshiped God, saying:
“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
the One who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power
and have begun to reign.
OUR FATHER*…………… HAIL MARY*
L: Jesus Christ King of the whole world
R: Have Mercy on us and the whole world (12X)
GLORY BE
THE SIXTH MYSTERY
The Everlasting Kingdom of Christ the King
Isaiah 9:6-7
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his
shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and
upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and
forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
OUR FATHER*…………… HAIL MARY*
L: Jesus Christ King of the whole world
R: Have Mercy on us and the whole world (12X)
GLORY BE
THE SEVENTH MYSTERY
The Wise Men From the East Acknowledged
Jesus Christ as King
(Matthew 2:1-2, Micah 5:2)
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from
the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of
the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel."'
OUR FATHER*…………… HAIL MARY*
L: Jesus Christ King of the whole world
R: Have Mercy on us and the whole world (12X)
GLORY BE
HAIL HOLY QUEEN
Let us pray.
O Jesus, Master of the Universe come and take Your place in my life and reign in
majesty. We worship, honor and adore Your Holy Name by the name which is above
all names, Jesus. Every knee most bow and tongue confess that You are the
Everlasting King whose reign and covenant brings everlasting peace to mankind. Heal
our wounds and wash away the sins of the whole world. Amen.
PRAYER TO CHRIST THE KING
Christ Jesus, I acknowledge You King of the Universe.
My Savior, God of Heaven, set up a Kingdom in my life and all over the universe that
will never be destroyed. My Savior, crush all those kingdoms that are inferior to Yours
and bring them to an end. Christ Jesus, You are the King of kings. The God of Heaven
has given you dominion and power and might and glory. In your hands He has placed
all mankind and the beasts of the field and the birds in the sky. Wherever they live,
He has made You ruler over them all. Lord God Almighty, For You alone are holy, just
and true are your ways. You who see the innermost thoughts of your creations, let
me find peace, joy, healing, favor and help in all my needs, Oh King of the Nations,
especially this one:.......... (Mention Your Request) I lay my request at the
Tabernacle of the Most High God. Who is like You, O King of Kings?
All nations will come and worship before you; for You are a righteous God and Savior,
there is none in all the earth except You, O God Most High. May the people praise
you, O Lord my King, may all the peoples praise You. Reign Lord Jesus, reign Master
Jesus, reign Your Spirit in our hearts. Reign in our family, reign in our home, reign in
the nation and in the world. Reign in Majesty over Your creation and make full use of
Your everlasting powers. Amen
Chaplet of Divine Mercy Chaplet of Mercy
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. O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You! (Repeat 3 times)
(Our Father, Hail Mary, The Apostle's Creed)
The Eternal Father: 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.
On the Ten Small Beads of Each Decade: For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Repeat for the remaining decades: Saying the "Eternal Father" on the "Our Father" bead and then 10 "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion" on the following "Hail Mary" beads.
Conclude with (Repeat three times) - Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Optional Closing Prayer: 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. (Friday, Saturday)
Come Lord Jesus
Lord Jesus, I come before you, just as I am. I am sorry for my sins, I repent of my sins, please forgive me.
In your name, I forgive all others for what they have done against me. I renounce Satan, the evil spirits,
and all their works.
I give you my entire self.
Lord Jesus, now and forever, I invite you into my life, Jesus. I accept you as my Lord and Savior. Heal me,
change me, strengthen me in body, soul, and spirit.
Come, Lord Jesus, cover me with your precious blood and fill me with your Holy Spirit. I love you, Jesus. I
praise you, Jesus. I thank you, Jesus. I shall follow you every day of my life. Amen
Chaplet of Protection
(Apostles' Creed)
On all Our Father beads: (Our Father, Glory Be), "Holy God, Holy Omnipotent One, save us who dwell in this land."
On the group of 3 Hail Mary Beads near the Crucifix:
(Hail Mary), in praise of God the Father.
(Hail Mary), in petition for protection.
(Hail Mary), in thanksgiving for that protection.
Each Decade, on each Hail Mary Beads - "Jesus Savior, merciful Savior, spare your people"
At the end of the 5 decades - "Son of God, Eternal Son, thank you for the things You have done." (3 times total)
Consecration to the Sacred Heart
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Your Loving Mother, I consecrate myself
to You. Take possession of my whole being; transform me into Yourself. Make my hands Your hands, my
feet your feet, my heart Your heart. Let me see with your eyes, listen with Your ears, speak with Your
lips, love with Your heart, understand with Your mind, serve with Your will and be dedicated to You with
my whole being. Make me Your other self. Amen.
Good Frday Prayer
Prayer of St Bridget which is said to release 33 souls from Purgatory if said 33 times on Good Friday.
"I adore Thee, O Holy Cross, which has been adorned with the tender, delicate, and venerable hands and feet of my Saviour, Jesus Christ, and immured with the Precious Blood. I adore Thee, my God, nailed to the Cross for me. I adore Thee again, O Holy Cross, for the love of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen"
To be said before a Crucifix with prayers for the Pope.
Holy Face Novena
Arise O Lord and let your enemies be scattered, and those who hate you flee before your face. (33 times)
My Jesus Mercy, (Glory Be) (7 times)
I am Your Missionary
Lord Jesus, I want to be Your missionary to all the world. Bless me with the giY of simplicity so that what
I have in abundance I will be happy to share. Bless me with the giY of generosity so that I may first think
of others who need to hear Your Word. Bless me with the giY of such deep faith that it is no longer that I
who live but Christ in me. Then use me to extend You love around the world so that no corner of the
Earth may be without the Good News of Your salvation. I ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Infant of Prague Novena
This prayer is that Padre Pio said for those who asked him for prayers. The portion in bold is optional.
O Jesus, you said, "Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened," through the intercession of Mary, Your Most Holy Mother, I knock, I seek, I ask that my prayer be granted: Please place in the mystical garden of the Immaculate Heart of your mother for her to watch over these people for joy, laughter, and peace. Open the eyes and ears of their heart so that they grow to know you and draw them close to you so that they may reach your heavenly kingdom: [name those for whom you are praying]
O Jesus, you said, "All that you ask of the Father in My Name, He will grant you," through the intercession of Mary Your Most Holy Mother, I humbly and urgently ask your Father in your name that my prayer will be granted: Please place in the mystical garden of the Immaculate Heart of your mother for her to watch over those people named above for joy, laughter, and peace. Open the eyes and ears of their heart so that they grow to know you and draw them close to you so that they may reach your heavenly kingdom.
O Jesus, you said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away but my word shall not pass away," through the intercession of Mary Your Most Holy Mother, I feel confident that my prayer will be granted: Please place in the mystical garden of the Immaculate Heart of your mother for her to watch over those people named above for joy, laughter, and peace. Open the eyes and ears of their heart so that they grow to know you and draw them close to you so that they may reach your heavenly kingdom.
Divine Infant Jesus, I know you love me and would never leave me. I thank you for your close presence in my life. Miraculous Infant, I believe in your promise of peace, blessings, and freedom from want. I place every need and care in your hands.
Jesus King of All Nations
(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be) O Lord our God, You, alone are the Most Holy King and Ruler of all nations. We pray to You, Lord, in the great expectation of receiving from You, Divine King, mercy, peace, justice and all good things. Protect, O Lord our King, our families and the land of our birth. Guard us, we pray, Most Faithful One! Protect us from our enemies and from Your Just Judgment. Forgive us, O Sovereign King, our sins against You. Jesus, You, are a King of Mercy. We have deserved Your Just Judgment. Have mercy on us, Lord, and forgive us. We trust in Your Great Mercy. O most awe-inspiring King, we bow before You and pray; may Your Reign, Your Kingdom, be recognized on earth! Amen.
Litany of Christ the King L: Lord, have mercy.R*: Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously 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 Spirit,
*have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, One God,
*have mercy on us. Christ the King of the universe,
*have mercy on us and the whole world. Christ the King, Redeemer of the world,
*have mercy on us and the whole world. Christ the King who is seated on the throne of David
*have mercy on us and the whole world. Christ the King, Savior of human race
*have mercy on us and the whole world. Christ the King whose reign is everlasting,
*have mercy on us and the whole world. Christ the King Incarnate Word of God,
*have mercy on us and the whole world. Christ the King Victor over the Cross,
*have mercy on us and the whole world. Christ the King The Way, The Truth and The Life,
*have mercy on us and the whole world. Christ the King, the Righteousness of God,
*have mercy on us and the whole world. Christ the King, riding in majesty to Jerusalem,
*have mercy on us and the whole world. Christ the King who sits on the Throne of God Most High
*have mercy on us and the whole world. Christ the King, Light of God and of the whole world
*have mercy on us and the whole world. Christ the King, who has the master key;
Where He shuts, none can open,
*have mercy on us and the whole world. Christ the King, who opens and none can shut,
*have mercy on us and the whole world. Christ the King whose Reign cannot be dethroned,
*have mercy on us and the whole world. Christ the King, Radiance of the Glory of God
*have mercy on us and the whole world. From sins of pride,
*Christ the King deliver us. From the snares of the devil,
*Christ the King deliver us. From the rule of satan and his agents,
*Christ the King deliver us. From everlasting death,
*Christ the King deliver us. From all temptations,
*Christ the King deliver us. From immorality of the world,
*Christ the King deliver us. From an evil tongue,
*Christ the King deliver us. From our enemies,
*Christ the King deliver us 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, O Lord. V. Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, in Thy Blood. R. And made us, for our God, a kingdom. Let Us Pray:
O Christ our Universal King, arise in Your Majesty and destroy the rule and
works of satan. Arise, O Mighty King in Your Majesty and tear down their evil
kingdom. Arise, O Christ our Lord and march down with Your Legions of Angels
and dethrone the rule of satan and his agents with Your Precious Blood shed
on Calvary. Cripple and destroy the evil base and stronghold with burning fire
and bring the evil reign to an end. Institute Your reign upon the earth as it is in
Heaven and put all Your enemies under Your feet. Amen. CONCLUDE:
Glory to the Father …3 times
Resound with all creatures in Heaven and Earth:
“Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts. Heaven and Earth are full of Your
Glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He Who comes in the Name
of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest!” ...3 times
Litany of Humility
O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.
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.
Litany of the Blessed Sacrament
Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy, Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us, Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously 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 Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
O Living Bread, Who from Heaven descended, have mercy on us.
Hidden God and Savior, have mercy on us.
Grain of the elect, have mercy on us.
Vine sprouting forth virgins, have mercy on us.
Wholesome Bread and delicacy of kings, have mercy on us.
Perpetual sacrifice, have mercy on us.
Clean oblation, have mercy on us.
Lamb without spot, have mercy on us.
Most pure feast, have mercy on us.
Food of Angels, have mercy on us.
Hidden manna, have mercy on us.
Memorial of God's wonders, have mercy on us.
Super substantial Bread, have mercy on us.
Word made flesh, dwelling in us, have mercy on us.
Holy Victim, have mercy on us.
O Cup of blessing, have mercy on us.
O Mystery of faith, have mercy on us.
O Most high and venerable Sacrament, have mercy on us.
O Most holy of all sacrifices, have mercy on us.
O True propitiatory Sacrifice for the living and the dead, have mercy on us.
O Heavenly antidote, by which we are preserved from sin, have mercy on us.
O stupendous miracle above all others, have mercy on us.
O most holy Commemoration of the Passion of Christ, have mercy on us.
O Gift transcending all abundance, have mercy on us.
O extraordinary memorial of Divine love, have mercy on us.
O affluence of Divine largess, have mercy on us.
O most holy and august mystery, have mercy on us.
Medicine of immortality, have mercy on us.
Awesome and life-giving Sacrament, have mercy on us.
Unbloody Sacrifice, have mercy on us.
Food and guest, have mercy on us.
Sweetest banquet at which the Angels serve, have mercy on us.
Bond of love, have mercy on us.
Offering and oblation, have mercy on us.
Spiritual sweetness tasted in its own fountain, have mercy on us.
Refreshment of holy souls, have mercy on us.
Viaticum of those dying in the Lord, have mercy on us.
Pledge of future glory, have mercy on us.
Be merciful, spare us, O Lord.
Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Lord.
From the unworthy reception of Thy Body and Blood, deliver us, O Lord.
From passions of the flesh, deliver us, O Lord.
From the concupiscence of the eyes, deliver us, O Lord.
From pride, deliver us, O Lord.
From every occasion of sin, deliver us, O Lord.
Through that desire, with which You desire to eat the Passover with Your disciples, deliver us, O Lord.
Through that profound humility with which Thou didst wash Thy disciples' feet, deliver us, O Lord.
Through that most ardent love, with which Thou instituted this Divine Sacrament, deliver us, O Lord.
Through the most precious Blood, which Thou hast left for us upon the altar, deliver us, O Lord.
Through those Five Wounds of Thy most holy Body, which was given up for us, deliver us, O Lord.
Sinners we are, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst graciously preserve and augment the faith, reverence, and devotion in us towards this admirable Sacrament, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst graciously lead us through the true confession of our sins to a frequent reception of the Eucharist, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst graciously free us from every heresy, falsehood, and blindness of the heart, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst graciously impart to us the Heavenly and precious fruits of this most Holy Sacrament, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst graciously protect and strengthen us in our hour of death with this Heavenly Viaticum, we beseech Thee, hear us.
O Son of God, we beseech Thee, hear us.
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.
Christ, hear us, Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us, Christ, graciously hear us.
Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy, Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy. (Our Father, Hail Mary)
V. Thou didst furnish them with Bread from Heaven, Alleluia.
R. Having in it every delight.
Let us pray: O God, Who under a marvelous Sacrament has left us a memorial of Thy Passion; grant us; we beseech Thee; so to venerate the sacred mysteries of Thy Body and Blood, that we may ever perceive within us the fruit of Thy Redemption. Thou, Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
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 Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Blood of Christ, only-begotten Son of the eternal Father, save us.
Blood of Christ, Incarnate Word of God, save us.
Blood of Christ, of the New and Eternal Testament, save us.
Blood of Christ, falling upon the earth in Agony, save us.
Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the Scourging, save us.
Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the Crowning with Thorns, save us.
Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross, save us.
Blood of Christ, price of our salvation, save us.
Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness, save us.
Blood of Christ, Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls, save us.
Blood of Christ, stream of mercy, save us.
Blood of Christ, victor over demons, save us.
Blood of Christ, courage of Martyrs, save us.
Blood of Christ, strength of Confessors, save us.
Blood of Christ, bringing forth Virgins, save us.
Blood of Christ, help of those in peril, save us.
Blood of Christ, relief of the burdened, save us.
Blood of Christ, solace in sorrow, save us.
Blood of Christ, hope of the penitent, save us.
Blood of Christ, consolation of the dying, save us.
Blood of Christ, peace and tenderness of hearts, save us.
Blood of Christ, pledge of eternal life, save us.
Blood of Christ, freeing souls from purgatory, save us.
Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honor, save us.
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, O Lord.
You have redeemed us, O Lord, in Your Blood. And made us a kingdom for our God.
Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Lord, have mercy, Lord have mercy.
Christ, have mercy, Christ have mercy.
Lord, have mercy, Lord have mercy.
Christ, hear us, Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously 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 Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mother, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, substantially united to the Word of God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, of Infinite Majesty, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Sacred Temple of God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Tabernacle of the Most High, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, House of God and Gate of Heaven, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of charity, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, abode of justice and love, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all treasures of wisdom and knowledge, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells the fullness of divinity, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was well pleased, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, patient and most merciful, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, enriching all who invoke Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, loaded down with opprobrium, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offenses, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, obedient to death, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, our peace and our reconciliation, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins, have mercy on us.
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, have mercy on us.
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.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like unto 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.
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.
Morning Offering
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You 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 reparation for my sins, for the intentions of all my relatives and friends, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father.
No Worries About Tomorrow
I won't look forward to what might happen tomorrow. The same everlasting father who takes care of me
today will take care of me tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield me from suffering or give me
unfailing strength to bear it. I'll be at peace then and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.
NOVENA TO CHRIST THE KING
We begin IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.
EXALTATION OF CHRIST THE KING
Proclaim: Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. Amen Phi.2:9-11.
WE EXALT YOU, O CHRIST OUR KING
You are EMMANUEL, God with us.
You are Our Lord and Our God.
You are the King of kings.
You are the Great Commander.
You are the Master Planner of the universe.
You are the great Architect of heaven and earth.
We praise You Lord, the I AM!
You are Unlimited, Almighty, All-powerful, and All-knowing.
You are the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.
You are the King of kings and the Lord of lords!
You are the True and Living God.
I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will show forth all Your marvelous
works.
I will be glad and rejoice in You: I will sing praise to Your Holy Name, O thou most
High King.
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Your
sight, O LORD, my Strength, my Redeemer and my King.
Let my mouth be filled with Your praise and with Your honor all the day.
O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is thy Name in all the earth!
Jesus, You are highly exalted, and Your Name is above every name! We ask all of
our prayers in Your Name Jesus. Your Name is above the name of all sicknesses
and diseases. Your name is above depression, and poverty, and all other names.
Blessed be Your Holy Name Lord! You are the solution to any problem, and You are
bigger than any obstacle we face.
Lord, You are Great, and greatly to be praised! We praise You Lord!
You are my God, and I will praise You.
You are my God, I will exalt You.
Novena Prayer to the Sacred Heart
Efficacious Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
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. Hail Holy Queen... St. Joseph, adoptive father of Jesus, pray for us.
-- St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
Padre Pio recited this novena every day for all those who requested his prayers.
Prayer For Atheists
In the Name of Jesus, who said that anything we ask in His Name will be given to those who believe, I ask that those who have not come to know the love of the Heavenly Father will be blessed with the knowledge that they are loved by him beyond all human reasoning and understanding. Please grant them the gift to feel his love as it enfolds them to such an extent that they will be unable to resist or deny it. May the knowledge of the Heavenly Father's infinite love stir within their hearts the desire to return that love to him, and to reflect it to all others. May their lives be a pure reflection of his resplendent love. I ask this in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the
Holy Spirit, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Amen
Prayer for Conversion
O divine and adorable Savior, who is the way, the truth, and the life, I beseech you to have mercy upon these people [name those for whom you are praying] and bring them to the knowledge and love of your truth. You, O Lord, know all their darkness, their weakness, and their doubts: have pity upon them, O merciful Savior; let the bright beams of your eternal truth shine upon their minds; clear away the cloud of error and prejudice from before their eyes, and may they humbly submit to and embrace with their whole heart the teaching of your Church. Oh, let not the souls for whom I pray be shut out from your blessed fold! Unite them to yourself in the sacraments of your love, and grant that, partaking of the blessings of your grace in this life, they may come at last to the possession of those eternal rewards which you have promised to all those who believe in you and who do your will. Hear this my petition, O merciful Jesus, who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns ever and ever. Amen
Prayer for Exorcism
My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, at a word from You the devil and his minions flee in terror.
You are the source of all truth. You are the source of all strength. By the power of Your Cross and Resurrection, we beseech You, O Lord to extend Your saving arm and to send Your holy angels to defend us as we do battle with Satan and his demonic forces. Exorcise, we pray, that which oppresses Your Bride, the Church, so that within ourselves, our families, our parishes, our dioceses, and our nation we may turn fully back to You in all fidelity and trust. Lord, we know if You will it, it will be done. Give us the perseverance for this mission, we pray. Amen
Prayer Of Miraculous Trust
By the power of Our Lord, Jesus Christ; to the honor of Our Lady, the Immaculate Conception; in service to her Immaculate Heart; I ask you Lord through the intercession of [your favorite saint] for the protection of my family during the storm. May they be a beacon of hope for all. I thank you for hearing my prayer. Your will be done. Amen.
Prayer Of Our Lady Of All Nations
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Father, send now Your Spirit over the earth. Let the Holy Spirit live in the hearts of all nations, that they may be preserved from degeneration, disaster and war. May the Lady of All Nations,the Blessed Virgin Mary, be our Advocate. Amen.
Prayer For Protection
Dear Jesus, my Savior, please protect not only myself and my family and friends, please protect also, my city and state. I place them all under our Heavenly Mother’s holy mantle and into her
Immaculate Heart of mercy. Thank you, Jesus. Amen
Prayer for the Protection of the Holy Spirit
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Father, send now your Spirit over the earth. Let the Holy Spirit live in the hearts of all nations, that they may be preserved from degeneration, disaster, and war. May the Lady of All Nations, the Blessed Virgin Mary, be our advocate.
Prayer to the Most Precious Blood
O precious Blood of Jesus, infinite price paid for the redemption of sinful mankind. O Divine Blood, drink and purification for our souls, standing between us and the Father pleading mercy.
With all my heart I adore You, sweet Lord, and offer reparation for the insults, outrages and ingratitude, which You continuously receive from human beings, especially those who dare blaspheme the Divine Blood You shed for us.
Bless this Blood of Infinite value. Bless the fire of Jesus’ Love who shed it to the last drop for us. Where would I be if not for this Divine Blood that redeemed me? Indeed, Lord, I have drawn it from You to the last drop. What Love! Thank you for this saving balm!
May every heart, every tongue, now and forever, praise and thank this priceless balm, this saving Blood, this fountain of crimson mercy welling up from the fountain of infinite love. Amen.
Prayers of St. Bridget (updated)
[1]
(Our Father; Hail Mary); Oh, Jesus Christ! Eternal sweetness to those who love you, joy surpassing all joy and desire, hope and salvation of all sinners. You have showed that you have no greater desire than to be among men, even assuming human nature at the fullness of time for the love of men, recall all the sufferings you endured from the moment of your conception, and especially during your passion, as it was decreed and ordained from all eternity according to the divine plan. Remember, Lord, that during the Last Supper with your disciples, having washed their feet, you gave them your most Precious Body and Blood, and while at the same time you did sweetly console them, you did foretell them of your coming Passion. Remember the sadness and bitterness which you experienced in your soul as you yourself bore witness saying: "My soul is sorrowful even unto death." Remember all the anguish and pain that you experienced in your delicate body before the torment of the crucifixion, when, after having prayed three times, bathed in a sweat of blood, you were betrayed by Judas, your disciple, arrested by the people of a nation you had chosen and elevated, accused by false witnesses, unjustly judged by three judges during the flower of your youth and during the solemn Paschal season. Remember that you were despoiled of your garments and clothed in those of derision; that your face and eyes were veiled, that you were buffeted, crowned with thorns, a reed placed in your hands, that you were crushed with blows and overwhelmed with affronts and outrages. In memory of all these pains and sufferings which you endured before your passion on the cross, grant me before my death true contrition, a sincere and entire confession, worthy satisfaction, and the remission of all my sins.
(Our Father; Hail Mary); Oh Jesus! True liberty of angels, paradise of delights, remember the horror and bitterness which you experienced when your enemies, like furious lions, surrounded you, and by thousands of insults, spits, blows, lacerations and other unheard-of cruelties, tormented you at will. In consideration of these torments and insulting words, I beseech you, oh my savior, to deliver me from all my enemies, visible and invisible, and to bring me, under your protection, to the perfection of external salvation.
(Our Father; Hail Mary); Oh Jesus! Sweetness of hearts, delight of the spirit, by the bitterness of the vinegar and gall which you tasted for love of us, grant us the grace to receive worthily your Precious Body and Blood during our life and at the hour of our death, they may serve as a remedy and consolation for our souls.
(Our Father; Hail Mary); Oh Jesus! Creator of Heaven and earth whom nothing can encompass or limit, you who enfolds and holds all things under your loving power, remember the pain you endured when the Jews nailed your sacred hands and feet to the cross by blow after blow with big blunt nails, and not finding you in a pitiable enough state to satisfy their rage, they enlarged your wounds, and added pain to pain, and with indescribable cruelty stretched your body on the cross, pulled you from all sides, thus dislocating your limbs. I beg of you, Oh Jesus, by the memory of this most loving suffering of the Cross, to grant me the grace to fear you and to Love you.
(Our Father; Hail Mary); Oh Jesus! Heavenly physician, raised aloft on the cross to heal our wounds with yours, remember the bruises which you suffered and the weakness of all your limbs which were distended to such a degree that never was there pain like yours. From the crown of your head to the soles of your feet there was not one spot on your body that was not in torment, and yet, forgetting all your sufferings, you did not cease to pray to your Heavenly Father for your enemies, saying: "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Through this great mercy, and in memory of this suffering, grant that the remembrance of your most bitter passion may affect in us a perfect contrition and the remission of all our sins.
(Our Father; Hail Mary); Oh Jesus! Mirror of eternal splendor, remember the sadness which you experienced, when contemplating in the light of your Divinity the predestination of those who would be saved by the merits of your Sacred Passion, you saw at the same time, the great multitude of reprobates who would be damned for their sins, and you complained bitterly of those hopelessly lost and unfortunate sinners. Through this abyss of compassion and pity, and especially through the goodness which you displayed to the good thief when you said to him: "This day, you shall be with me in paradise." I beg of you, sweet Jesus, that at the hour of my death, you will show me mercy.
(Our Father; Hail Mary); Oh Jesus! Most precious and beloved king, remember the grief you suffered, when naked and like a common criminal, you were fastened and raised on the cross, when all your relatives and friends abandoned you, except your beloved mother, who remained close to you during your agony and whom you entrusted to your faithful disciple when you said to Mary:" Woman, behold your son!" and to St. John: "Son, behold your Mother!" I beg of you, oh my savior, by the sword of sorrow which pierced the soul of your holy mother, to have compassion on me in all my affliction and tribulations, both corporal and spiritual, and to assist me in all my trials, and especially at the hour of my death.
(Our Father; Hail Mary); Oh Jesus! You are the beginning and end of all things, life and virtue, remember that for our sakes you were plunged in an abyss of suffering from the soles of your feet to the crown of your head. In consideration of the enormity of your wounds, teach me to keep, through pure love, your commandments, whose way is wide and easy for those who love you.
(Our Father; Hail Mary); Oh Jesus! Deep abyss of mercy, I beg of you, in memory of your magnitude of your wounds which penetrated to the very marrow of your bones and to the depth of your being, to draw me, a miserable sinner, overwhelmed by my offenses, away from sin and to hide me from your face justly irritated against me, hide me in your wounds, until your anger and just indignation shall have passed away.
(Our Father; Hail Mary); Oh Jesus! Mirror of Truth, symbol of unity, link of charity, remember the multitude of wounds with which you were covered from head to foot, torn and reddened by the spilling of your adorable blood. Oh, great and universal pain which you suffered in your flesh for love of us! Sweetest Jesus! What is there that you could have done for us which you have not done! May the fruit of your sufferings be renewed in my soul by the faithful remembrance of your passion, and may your love increase in my heart each day, until I see you in eternity, you who are the treasury of every real good and every joy, which I beg you to grant me, oh sweetest Jesus, in heaven.
(Our Father; Hail Mary); Oh Jesus! Royal virtue, joy of the mind, remember the suffering you were enduring when you cried out “Eli Eli Lema Sabathani” the name of the prayer of David that was being fulfilled at that same moment. With the 4th cup you were about to provide the deliverance for the Todah offering at the Last Supper: providing deliverance from sin for all of us by the blood of the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. Grant that through the triumph of your cross I may have the grace of final perseverance.
(Our Father; Hail Mary); Oh Jesus! Inexhaustible fountain of compassion, who by a profound gesture of love, said from the cross: "I thirst!", suffering from the thirst for the salvation of the human race, you were requesting the 4th cup that you had omitted from the Seder meal. I beg of you, oh my savior, to inflame in our hearts the desire to tend toward perfection in all our acts; and to extinguish in us the concupiscence of the flesh and the ardor of worldly desires"
(Our Father; Hail Mary); Oh Jesus! Strong lion, immortal and invincible King, remember the pain which you endured when all your strength, both moral and physical, was entirely exhausted, you raised your head, saying: "It is finished!", thus providing the Nirtzah to end the Seder meal, the Todah, begun at the Last Supper, and at the same time as high priest declaring the death of the sacrificial lamb, the Lamb of God. Through this triumph, anguish, and grief, I beg of you Lord Jesus, to have mercy on me at the hour of my death when my mind will be greatly troubled, and my soul will be in anguish.
(Our Father; Hail Mary); Oh Jesus! Only Son of the Father, splendor and figure of his substance, remember the simple and humble recommendation you made of your soul to your eternal father, saying: "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit!" And with your body all torn, and your heart broken, and the bowels of your mercy opened to redeem us, you expired. By this precious death, I beg of you king of saints, comfort me and help me to resist the devil, the flesh and the world, so that being dead to the world I may live for you alone. I beg of you at hour of my death to receive me, a pilgrim and an exile returning to you.
(Our Father; Hail Mary); Oh Jesus! True and fruitful vine! Remember the abundant outpouring of blood which you so generously shed from your sacred body as juice from grapes in a wine press. From your side, pierced with a soldier’s lance, blood and water poured out until there was not left in your body a single drop, and finally, like a bundle of myrrh lifted to the top of the cross, your delicate flesh was destroyed, the very substance of your body withered, and the marrow of your bones dried up. Through this bitter passion and through the outpouring of your Precious Blood, I beg of you to receive my soul when I am in my death agony.
Oh, sweet Jesus! Pierce my heart with a sword of sorrow so that my tears of penitence and love will be my bread day and night; may I be converted entirely to you, may my heart be your perpetual habitation, may my conversation be pleasing to you, and may the end of my life be so praise worthy that I may merit Heaven and there with your saints, praise you forever. Amen.
Precious Blood of Jesus Christ
Mary asked the Visionary Barnabus Nwoye in Nigeria to say this prayer 500 times a day (Imprimator by Bishop Atoyebi of Illorin, Nigeria, Africia):
Precious Blood of Jesus Christ save us and the whole world.
Rosary of Jesus' 33 Years of Life on Earth
My Jesus, at this moment I want to be with You. You are my Brother and my Redeemer. For my sake, You stayed with me. Thank You! Thank You for Your life. That is why, at the beginning of this prayer, O Jesus, I entrust to You my life, worries, problems and everything that tries to deceive me and separate me from You. I renounce sin, which destroyed our friendship. I renounce evil, which spoiled our friendship. Lord, I lay at Your feet everything I possess. I want to be entirely Yours and, with You, belong completely to the Father.
O Mary, no one besides You ever knew how it was to be with Jesus while He was growing up with You. Stay with me now so that I may know how to stay with Jesus. Pray with me, O Mary, so that the Spirit of Jesus may cover me and enable me to pray like Him, “Abba, Father!” Amen. (Apostles Creed)
Jesus is born in Bethlehem (Lk 2:4-7, 10-14). Let us pray for peace! O Jesus, be our peace. Eliminate the barriers that separate us from the other. Make us men of good will. (Our Father x 5) O Jesus, be our protection and strength!
Jesus helps and gives everything to the poor (Lk 9:12-13; 16-17). Let us pray for the Holy Father, for all the authorities in the Church and all nations. O Jesus, You loved the poor, satisfying them with the bread of earth. And even more: You offered the bread of heaven and living water for all the hungry and thirsty. Move the heart of our Pope and all those responsible for the Church and the nations so that they promote the just distribution of earthly goods and that all may be fed and still have leftovers. (Our Father x 5) O Jesus, be our protection and strength!
Jesus entrusts Himself to the Father and does His will (Mt 26:36-39; 42-44). Let us pray for priests and those who in a special way are called to serve Jesus for all their life. O Jesus, You entrusted Yourself to the will of the Father even in the most difficult moments. Grant to all priests and consecrated persons the grace to faithfully fulfil the Father’s will. Take away their fear of drinking the bitter chalice of life. May all the anxiety and solitude that life presents to them not impede them on the secure road to the resurrection. (Our Father x 5) O Jesus, be our protection and strength!
Jesus knew that He would give His life for us and freely did it because He loves us (Jn 17:1-2; 19). Let us pray for families. O Jesus, You loved us and because of this You returned to the Father with a serene soul, replete with complete abandon. For You, nothing was excessively difficult because You were full of love for us. Make our families also be entirely disposed to do everything to make one another happy. Make our parents sanctify their life in love so that together they give of themselves to their children, sanctifying them also. (Our Father x 5) O Jesus, be our protection and strength!
Jesus sacrificed His life for us! (Jn 15:12-14). Let us pray for each one of us to be able to offer his life for others. Jesus, You showed the infinite grandeur of Your love when You died for us. You put aside the glory You had enjoyed from the beginning and accepted the condition of a servant, inviting us to follow Your example: to live at the complete disposition of another, just as You did down to Your last day on earth. Thank You, because You gave us the conditions to be able to love as You do. Drive away from us selfishness, arrogance, hatred and sensuality (Our Father x 5) O Jesus, be our protection and strength!
The victory of Jesus. He defeated the devil and rose again (Lk 24:4-7; 10:17-20). Let us pray that all sin be eliminated, and that Jesus may be resurrected in our hearts. Lord Jesus, You defeated death. Free me from sin and death. May hatred be overcome in me and others so that peace triumphs. With the power of Your Word and the word of the priest, do away with the influence of Satan. (Our Father x 5) O Jesus, be our protection and strength!
Jesus went up to heaven (Lk 24:50-53). Let us pray for the fulfilment of God’s will. Jesus, grant us the spirit of prayer and joy so that we may be Your witnesses before the peoples and nations. May Your Church be the perennial witness in the world of Your infinite love! (Our Father x 3) O Jesus, be our protection and strength!
Jesus sends the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles in the company of the Virgin Mary (Acts 2:1-4). Let us pray for the Holy Spirit to pour down His fullness upon us, our families, the Church, religious communities and all the baptized. May the Holy Spirit especially inspire the hearts of all who govern the world, communicating to them a sense of justice for making wise decisions on the road to peace. Jesus, send us Your Spirit as You did to Your Apostles and Mother. May He enlighten us always and lead us to know the truth; may He teach us love and guide our steps in direction of peace! (Glory Be x 7) O Jesus, be our protection and strength!
St. Bridget 12 year Novena
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O Jesus, now I wish to pray the Lord's Prayer seven times in unity with the love with which You sanctified this prayer in your Heart. Take it from my lips into your Divine Heart. Improve and complete it so much that it brings as much honor and joy to the Trinity as You granted it on earth with this prayer. May these prayers pour upon your Holy Humanity in Glorification to your Painful Wounds and the Precious Blood that You spilled from them.
(Our Father; Hail Mary); Eternal Father, through Mary's unblemished hands and the Divine Heart of Jesus, I offer You the first wounds, the first pains, and the first Bloodshed as atonement for my and all of humanity's sins of youth, as protection against the first mortal sin, especially among my relatives. Amen
(Our Father; Hail Mary); Eternal Father, through Mary's unblemished hands and the Divine Heart of Jesus, I offer You the terrifying suffering of Jesus' Heart on the Mount of Olives and every drop of His Bloody Sweat as atonement for my and all of humanity's sins of the heart, as protection against such sins and for the spreading of Divine and brotherly Love. Amen
(Our Father; Hail Mary); Eternal Father, through Mary's unblemished hands and the Divine Heart of Jesus, I offer You the many thousands of Wounds, the gruesome Pains, and the Precious Blood of the Flogging as atonement for my and all of humanity's sins of the Flesh, as protection against such sins and the preservation of innocence, especially among my relatives. Amen
(Our Father; Hail Mary); Eternal Father, through Mary's unblemished hands and the Divine Heart of Jesus, I offer You the Wounds, the Pains, and the Precious Blood of Jesus' Holy Head from the Crowning with Thorns as atonement for my and all of humanity's sins of the Spirit, as protection against such sins and the spreading of Christ's kingdom here on earth. Amen
(Our Father; Hail Mary); Eternal Father, through Mary's unblemished hands and the Divine Heart of Jesus, I offer You the Sufferings on the way of the Cross, especially His Holy Wound on His Shoulder and its Precious Blood as atonement for my and all of humanity's rebellion against the Cross, every grumbling against Your Holy Arrangements and all other sins of the tongue, as protection against such sins and for true love of the Cross. Amen
(Our Father; Hail Mary); Eternal Father, through Mary's unblemished hands and the Divine Heart of Jesus, I offer You Your Son on the Cross, His Nailing and Raising, His Wounds on the Hands and Feet and the three streams of His Precious Blood that poured forth from these for us, His extreme tortures of the Body and Soul, His precious Death and its non-bleeding renewal in all Holy Masses on earth as atonement for all wounds against vows and regulations within the Orders, as reparation for my and all of the world's sins, for the sick and the dying, for all holy priests and laymen, for the Holy Father's intentions toward the restoration of Christian families, for the strengthening of Faith, for our country and unity among all nations in Christ and His Church, as well as for the Diaspora. Amen
(Our Father; Hail Mary); Eternal Father, accept as worthy, for the needs of the Holy Church and as atonement for the sins of all Mankind, the Precious Blood and Water which poured forth from the Wound of Jesus' Divine Heart. Be gracious and merciful toward us.
Blood of Christ, the last precious content of His Holy Heart, wash me of all my and others' guilt of sin! Water from the Side of Christ wash me clean of all punishments for sin and extinguish the flames of Purgatory for me and for all the Poor Souls. Amen
Surrender Novena Given by Jesus to Fr. Dolindo Ruotolo
Day – 1: Why do you confuse yourselves by worrying? Leave the care of your affairs to me and everything will be peaceful. I say to you in truth that every act of true, blind, complete surrender to me produces the effect that you desire and resolves all difficult situations. (next)
Day – 2: Surrender to me does not mean to fret, to be upset, or to lose hope, nor does it mean offering to me a worried prayer asking me to follow you and change your worry into prayer. It is against this surrender, deeply against it, to worry, to be nervous and to desire to think about the consequences of anything. It is like the confusion that children feel when they ask their mother to see to their needs, and then try to take care of those needs for themselves so that their childlike efforts get in their mother’s way. Surrender means to placidly close the eyes of the soul, to turn away from thoughts of tribulation and to put yourself in my care, so that only I act. Saying You take care of it. (next)
Day – 3: How many things I do when the soul, in so much spiritual and material need turns to me, looks at me and says to me; You take care of it, then closes its eyes and rests. In pain, you pray for me to act, but that I act in the way you want. You do not turn to me, instead, you want me to adapt to your ideas. You are not sick people who ask the doctor to cure you, but rather sick people who tell the doctor how to. So, do not act this way, but pray as I taught you in the Our Father: Hallowed be your Name, that is, be glorified in my need. Your kingdom come, that is, let all that is in us and in the world be in accord with your kingdom. Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven, that is, in our need, decide as you see fit for our temporal and eternal life. If you say to me truly: Your will be done. Which is the same as saying: You take care of it. I will intervene with all my omnipotence, and I will resolve the most difficult situations. (next)
Day- 4: You see evil growing instead of weakening? Do not worry, close your eyes and say to me with faith: Your will be done. You take care of it. I say to you that I will take care of it, and that I will intervene as does a doctor and I will accomplish miracles when they are needed. Do you see that the sick person is getting worse? Do not be upset but close your eyes and say You take care of it. I say to you that I will take care of it, and that there is no medicine more powerful than my loving intervention. By my love, I promise this to you. (next)
Day- 5: And when I must lead you on a path different from the one you see, I will prepare you; I will carry you in my arms; I will let you find yourself, like children who have fallen asleep in their mother’s arms, on the other bank of the river. What troubles you and hurts you immensely are your reason, your thoughts and worry, and your desire at all costs to deal with what afflicts you. (next)
Day- 6: You are sleepless; you want to judge everything, direct everything and see to everything and you surrender to human strength, or worse, to men themselves, trusting in their intervention, this is what hinders my words and my views. Oh, how much I wish from you this surrender, to help you and how I suffer when I see you so agitated! Satan tries to do exactly this: to agitate you and to remove you from my protection and to throw you into the jaws of human initiative. So, trust only in me, rest in me, surrender to me in everything. (next)
Day- 7: I perform miracles in proportion to your full surrender to me and to your not thinking of yourselves. I sow treasure troves of graces when you are in the deepest poverty. No person of reason, no thinker, has ever performed miracles, not even among the saints. He does divine works whosoever surrenders to God. So, don’t think about it anymore, because your mind is acute and for you it is very hard to see evil and to trust in me and to not think of yourself. Do this for all your needs, do this all of you and you will see great continual silent miracles. I will take care of things, I promise this to you.(next)
Day – 8: Close your eyes and let yourself be carried away on the flowing current of my grace; close your eyes and do not think of the present, turning your thoughts away from the future just as you would from temptation. Repose in me, believing in my goodness, and I promise you by my love that if you say You take care of it. I will take care of it all; I will console you, liberate you and guide you. (next)
Day- 9: Pray always in readiness to surrender, and you will receive from it great peace and great rewards, even when I confer on you the grace of immolation, of repentance and of love. Then what does suffering matter? It seems impossible to you? Close your eyes and say with all your soul, Jesus, you take care of it. Do not be afraid, I will take care of things and you will bless my name by humbling yourself. A thousand prayers cannot equal one single act of surrender, remember this well. There is no novena more effective than this: (next)
Surrender: O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything! (10 times)
Surrender to Jesus
Lord Jesus, I invite you to live in my heart more completely. I give to you my plans and I accept your
perfect plans for my life. I will strive to yield to Your will and the guidance of Your Holy Spirit in every
detail of my life. Please change me in whatever way necessary so that I may know you more personally,
love you more deeply, and serve you in everything I do.
Umbrellino Prayer for Technology
Lord Jesus Christ, Sovereign King enthroned in Heaven, in your love and mercy establish a perimeter of protection with Your Precious Blood around our communication devices and all technology used during this session, the cameras or webcams, microphones, speakers, displays, any and all software, WiFi connections in the air, both my router and the router of N. and anyone assisting, the optic cables involved in the transmission of data, and the light waves being used to transfer data. Cleanse them with your precious blood and drive from them any satanic influence. Establish around them a sanctuary of your mercy where Satan and any other evil spirit or human agency cannot interfere. I ask Father that you would block, bind, rebuke and render impotent any assault of the evil one from them in any way. Father, so long as these instruments are utilized in this ministry of Divine mercy, we ask you to allow them to enjoy the protection of the Blessed Mother, St. Michael the Archangel and all the Holy Angels. We ask this in Your Most Holy Name, the Name before which every knee shall bow, in heaven, on the earth and under the earth, that Jesus Christ is Lord. Amen.
Three Beautiful Prayers for the Dying - taken from the Pieta Book"
Which are very useful to a dying person, and should be prayed often as an act of mercy.
There once was a Pope in Rome who was surrounded by many sins. The Lord God struck him with a fatal illness. When he saw that he was dying, he summoned cardinals, bishops, and learned persons and said to them: “My dear friends! What comfort can you give me now that I must die, and when I deserve eternal damnation for my sins?” No one answered him. One of them, a pious curate named John said: “Father, why do you doubt the Mercy of God?” The Pope replied: “What comfort can you give me now that I must die and fear that I’ll be damned for my sins?” John replied: “I’ll read three prayers over you; I hope you’ll be comforted and that you’ll obtain Mercy from God.” The Pope was unable to say more. The curate and all those present knelt and said an Our Father, then the following Prayers:
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ! Thou Son of God and Son of the Virgin Mary, God and Man, Thou who in fear sweated blood for us on the Mount of Olives in order to bring peace, and to offer Thy Most Holy Death to God, Thy Heavenly Father, for the salvation of this dying person…if it be, however, that by his sins he merits eternal damnation, then may it be deflected from him. This, O Eternal Father through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Dear Son, Who liveth and reigneth in union with the Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ! Thou Who meekly died on the trunk of the Cross for us, submitting Thy Will completely to Thy Heavenly Father in order to bring peace and to offer Thy most Holy Death to Thy Heavenly Father in order to free…(this person)… and to hide from him what he has earned with his sins; grant this, O Eternal Father! Through Our Lord, Jesus, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in union with the Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ! Thou Who remained silent to speak through the mouths of the Prophets: I have drawn Thee to me through Eternal Love, which Love drew Thee from Heaven into the body of the Virgin, which Love drew Thee from the body of the Virgin into the valley of this needful world, which Love kept Thee 33 years in this world, and as a sign of Great Love, Thou hast given Thy Holy Body as True Food and Thy Holy Blood as True Drink, as a sign of Great Love, Thou has consented to be a prisoner and to be led from one judge to another and as a sign of Great Love Thou hast consented to be condemned to death, and hast consented to die and to be buried and truly risen, and appeared to Thy Holy Mother and all the Holy Apostles, and as a sign of Great Love Thou hast ascended, under Thy own Strength and Power, and sitteth at the Right Hand of God, Thy Heavenly Father, and Thou has sent Thy Holy Spirit into the hearts of Thy Apostles and the hearts of all who hope and believe in Thee. Through Thy Sign of Eternal Love, open Heaven today and take this dying person…and all his sins into the Realm of Thy Heavenly Father, that he may reign with Thee now and forever. Amen.
Meanwhile the Pope died. The curate persevered to the third hour, then the Pope appeared to him in body and comforted him. His countenance as brilliant as the sun, his clothes as white as snow, he said: “My dear brother! Whereas I was supposed to be a child of damnation, I’ve become a child of happiness. As you recited the first Prayer, many of my sins fell from me as rain from Heaven, and as you recited the second Prayer, I was purified, as a goldsmith purifies gold in a hot fire. I was still further purified as you recited the third Prayer. Then I saw Heaven open and the Lord, Jesus, standing on the Right Hand of God the Father Who said to me: “Come, all thy sins are forgiven thee, you’ll be and remain in the Realm of My Father forever. Amen!”
With these words, my soul separated from my body and the Angels of God led it to Eternal Joy.
As the curate heard this, he said: “O Holy Father! I can’t tell these things to anyone, for they won’t believe me.” Then the Pope said: “Truly I tell thee, the Angel of God stands with me and has written the prayers in letters of gold for the consolation of all sinners. If a person had committed all the sins in the world, but that the three Prayers shall have been read (over him) at his end (death), all his sins will be forgiven him, even though his soul was supposed to suffer until the Last Judgment, it will be redeemed (freed).
Prayers to the Holy Spirit
Come Holy Spirit
Come Holy Spirit, in these days of doubt, confusion and uncertainty, come into our hearts with your
light, your strength and your consolation.
Come with the light of truth and teach us the will of God in our daily living, especially now when God's
most basic laws are being challenged or ignored.
Come with your strength that purifies our hearts and our desires, and guards us against the danger of
pride and self-conceit.
Bring your consolation so that with a heart atuned your holy love, we may have peace and harmony in
our families, and give to our communities the spirit of cooperaLon, tolerance and understanding.
You have instructed the faithful with the Light of the Holy Spirit, grant that through the same Holy Spirit
we may be truly wise and enjoy His consolaLon. Amen.
Novena to the Holy Spirit Introduction
The Novena can be said beginning on any day of the year, however it is recommended that it be said the nine days preceeding the Feast of Pentecost.
Novena for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven promised to send the Holy Spirit to finish your work in the souls of your apostles and disciples, grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of your grace and your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of your divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease him. Mark me, dear Lord with the sign of your true disciples, and animate me in all things with your Spirit. Amen.
FIRST DAY (Friday after Ascension or Friday of 6th Week of Easter) Holy Spirit! Lord of Light! From your clear celestial height, your pure beaming radiance give! The Holy Spirit: Only one thing is important -- eternal salvation. Only one thing, therefore, is to be feared--sin? Sin is the result of ignorance, weakness, and indifference. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Light, of Strength, and of Love. With his sevenfold gifts He enlightens the mind, strengthens the will, and inflames the heart with love of God. To ensure our salvation we ought to invoke the Divine Spirit daily, for "The Spirit helps our infirmity. We know not what we should pray for as we should. But the Spirit himself asks for us."
Almighty and eternal God regenerate us by water and the Holy Spirit, and give us forgiveness for all sins, send from heaven your sevenfold Spirit upon us: The Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, and fill us with the Spirit of Holy Fear. Act of Consecration
SECOND DAY (Saturday of 6th Week of Easter) Come. Father of the poor. Come, treasures which endure; Come, Light of all that live! The Gift of Fear: The gift of Fear fills us with a sovereign respect for God and makes us dread nothing so much as to offend him by sin. It is a fear that arises, not from the thought of hell, but from sentiments of reverence and filial submission to our heavenly Father. It is the fear that is the beginning of wisdom, detaching us from worldly pleasures that could in any way separate us from God. "They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and in his sight will sanctify their souls."
Come, O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set you, my Lord and God, before my face forever, help me to shun all things that can offend You, and make me worthy to appear before the pure eyes of your Divine Majesty in heaven, where You live and reign in the unity of the ever-Blessed Trinity, God world without end. Amen. Act of Consecration
THIRD DAY (7th Sunday of Easter or transferred Ascension) You, of all consolers best, Visiting the troubled breast, Does refreshing peace bestow. The Gift of Piety: The gift of Piety begets in our hearts a filial affection for God as our most loving Father. It inspires us to love and respect for his sake persons and things consecrated to him, as well as those who are vested with his authority, his Blessed Mother and the saints, the Church and its visible head, our parents and superiors, our country and its rulers. He who is filled with the gift of Piety finds the practice of his religion, not a burdensome duty, but a delightful service. Where there is love, there is no labor.
Come, O Blessed Spirit of Piety, possess my heart. Enkindle therein such a love for God, that I may find satisfaction only in his service, and for his sake lovingly submit to all legitimate authority. Amen. Act of Consecration
FOURTH DAY (Monday, 7th Week of Easter) You in toil are comfort sweet, Pleasant coolness in the heat, solace in the midst of woe. The Gift of Fortitude: By the gift of Fortitude, the soul is strengthened against natural fear, and supported to the end in the performance of duty. Fortitude imparts to the will an impulse and energy which moves it to undertake without hesitancy the most arduous tasks, to face dangers, to trample under foot human respect, and to endure without complaint the slow martyrdom of even lifelong tribulation. "He that perseveres to the end, he will be saved."
Come, O Blessed Spirit of Fortitude, uphold my soul in time of trouble and adversity, sustain my efforts after holiness, strengthen my weakness, give me courage against all the assaults of my enemies, that I may never be overcome and separated from You, my God and greatest good. Amen.
Act of Consecration
FIFTH DAY (Tuesday, 7th Week of Easter) Light immortal! Light Divine! Visit please this heart of mine, And, my inmost being fill! The Gift of Knowledge: The gift of Knowledge enables the soul to evaluate created things at their true worth--in their relation to God. Knowledge unmasks the pretense of creatures, reveals their emptiness, and points out their only true purpose as instruments in the service of God. It shows us the loving care of God even in adversity and directs us to glorify him in every circumstance of life. Guided by its light, we put first things first, and prize the friendship of God beyond all else. "Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesses it."
Come, O Blessed Spirit of Knowledge, and grant that I may perceive the will of the Father; show me the nothingness of earthly things, that I may realize their vanity and use them only for your glory and my own salvation, looking ever beyond them to You, and your eternal rewards. Amen. Act of Consecration
SIXTH DAY (Wednesday, 7th Week of Easter) If You take your grace away, nothing pure in man will stay, all his good is turned to ill. The Gift of Understanding: Understanding, as a gift of the Holy Spirit, helps us to grasp the meaning of the truths of our holy religion. By faith we know them, but by Understanding we learn to appreciate and relish them. It enables us to penetrate the inner meaning of revealed truths and through them to be quickened to newness of life. Our faith ceases to be sterile and inactive but inspires a mode of life that bears eloquent testimony to the faith that is in us; we begin to "walk worthy of God in all things pleasing and increasing in the knowledge of God."
Come, O Spirit of Understanding, and enlighten our minds, that we may know and believe all the mysteries of salvation; and may merit at last to see the eternal light in your light; and in the light of glory to have a clear vision of You and the Father and the Son. Amen. Act of Consecration
SEVENTH DAY (Thursday, 7th Week of Easter) Heal our wounds--our strength renew. On our dryness pour your dew. Wash the stains of guilt away. The Gift of Counsel: The gift of Counsel endows the soul with supernatural prudence, enabling it to judge promptly and rightly what must done, especially in difficult circumstances. Counsel applies the principles furnished by Knowledge and Understanding to the innumerable concrete cases that confront us in the course of our daily duty as parents, teachers, public servants, and Christian citizens. Counsel is supernatural common sense, a priceless treasure in the quest of salvation. "Above all these things, pray to the Most High, that He may direct your way in truth." Come, O Spirit of Counsel, help and guide me in all my ways, that I may always do your holy will. Incline my heart to that which is good; turn it away from all that is evil, and direct me by the straight path of your commandments to that goal of eternal life for which I long.Act of Consecration
EIGHTH DAY (Friday, 7th Week of Easter) Bend the stubborn heart and will, melt the frozen warm the chill. Guide the steps that go astray! The Gift of Wisdom: Embodying all the other gifts, as charity embraces all the other virtues, Wisdom is the most perfect of the gifts. Of wisdom, it is written "all good things came to me with her, and innumerable riches through her hands." It is the gift of Wisdom that strengthens our faith, fortifies hope, perfects charity, and promotes the practice of virtue in the highest degree. Wisdom enlightens the mind to discern and relish things divine, in the appreciation of which earthly joys lose their savor, while the Cross of Christ yields a divine sweetness according to the words of the Savior: "Take up your cross and follow me, for my yoke is sweet and my burden light.
Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to my soul the mysteries of heavenly things, their exceeding greatness, power and beauty. Teach me to love them above and beyond all the passing joys and satisfactions of earth. Help me to attain them and possess them forever. Amen Act of Consecration
NINTH DAY (Saturday, Vigil of Pentecost) You, on those who evermore You confess, and You Adore, in your sevenfold gift, descend; Give Them Comfort when they die; Give them Life with You on high; Give them joys which never end. Amen The Fruits of the Holy Spirit: The gifts of the Holy Spirit perfect the supernatural virtues by enabling us to practice them with greater docility to divine inspiration. As we grow in the knowledge and love of God under the direction of the Holy Spirit, our service becomes more sincere and generous, the practice of virtue more perfect. Such acts of virtue leave the heart filled with joy and consolation and are known as Fruits of the Holy Spirit. These Fruits in turn render the practice of virtue more attractive and become a powerful incentive for still greater efforts in the service of God, for whom to serve is to reign.
Come, O Divine Spirit, fill my heart with your heavenly fruits, your charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, temperance, modesty, generosity, and chastity that I may never weary in the service of God, but by continued faithful submission to your inspiration may merit to be united eternally with You in the love of the Father and the Son. Amen.
Act of Consecration: (Our Father and Hail Mary) ONCE. (Glory Be) SEVEN TIMES.
Before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of your purity, the unerring keenness of your justice, and the might of your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for your light, and listen to your voice, and follow your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced feet of Jesus and looking at his five Wounds and trusting in his Precious Blood and adoring his opened side and stricken heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, "Speak Lord for your servant is listening." Amen.
Prayer to The Holy Spirit
Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of your faithful. Enkindle in us the fire of your divine love. Send forth your Spirit and we will be created, and you will renew the face of the earth. Let us pray. Oh God who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant by the light of the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation, through Christ our Lord. Amen. You oh lord will open our hearts and our tongue will announce your praise. Incline to our aid oh God Oh Lord make haste to help me. (Glory be)
A Prayer of Submission to the Holy Spirit
Oh, Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore you! Enlighten me. Guide me. Strengthen me. Console me.
Tell me what I should do. Give me your orders. I promise to submit myself to all that you desire of me
and to accept all that you permit to happen to me. Let me only know your will.
Prayers to Our Lady
Angelus
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 your word. (Hail Mary)
And the Word was made Flesh: 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 You, O Lord, Your grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Your 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.
Auxilium Christianorun
V. Our help is in the name of the Lord. R. Who made heaven and earth.
Most gracious Virgin Mary, you who would crush the head of the serpent, protect us from the vengeance of the evil one. We offer our prayers, supplications, sufferings and good works to you, so that you may purify them, sanctify them and present them to your Son as a perfect offering. May this offering be given so that the demons that influence or seek to influence the members of the Auxilium do not know the source of their expulsion and blindness. Blind them so that they know not our good works. Blind them so that they know not on whom to take vengeance. Blind them so that they may receive the just sentence for their works. Cover us with the Precious Blood of your son so that we may enjoy the protection which flows from his Passion and Death. We ask this through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. (St. Michael Prayer, Angel of God, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be)
Sunday:
O Glorious Queen of Heaven and Earth, Virgin Most Powerful, you who has the power to crush the head of the ancient serpent with your heel, come and exercise this power flowing from the grace of your Immaculate Conception. Shield us under the mantle of your purity and love, draw us into the sweet abode of your heart and annihilate and render impotent the forces bent on destroying us. Come Most Sovereign Mistress of the Holy Angels and Mistress of the Most Holy Rosary, you who from the very beginning have received from God the power and the mission to crush the head of Satan. Send forth the holy legions, we humbly beseech you, that under your command and by your power they may pursue the evil spirits, counter them on every side, resist their bold attacks and drive them far from us, harming no one on the way, binding them to the foot of the Cross to be judged and sentenced by Jesus Christ your son and to be disposed of by him as He wills. St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, come to our aid in this grave battle against the forces of darkness, repel the attacks of the devil and free the members of the Auxilium, and those for whom the priests of the Auxilium pray, from the strongholds of the enemy. St. Michael, summon the entire heavenly court to engage their forces in this fierce battle against the powers of hell. Come O Prince of Heaven with your mighty sword and thrust into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits. O Guardian Angels, guide and protect us. (Next)
Monday:
In your name, Lord Jesus Christ, we pray that You cover us, our families, and all of our possessions with your love and your Most Precious Blood and surround us with your Heavenly Angels, Saints and the mantle of Our Blessed Mother. Amen. (Next)
Tuesday:
Lord Jesus Christ, we beg You for the grace to remain guarded beneath the protective mantle of Mary, surrounded by the holy tree from which was taken the Holy Crown of Thorns, and saturated with Your Precious Blood in the power of the Holy Spirit, with our Guardian Angels, for the greater glory of the Father. Amen. (Next)
Wednesday:
In your name, Jesus Christ, Our Lord and God, we ask You to render all spirits impotent, paralyzed and ineffective in attempting to take revenge against anyone of the members of the Auxilium, our families, friends, communities, those who pray for us and their family members, or anyone associated with us and for whom the priests of the Auxilium pray. We ask You to bind all evil spirits, all powers in the air, the water, the ground, the fire, under ground, or wherever they exercise their powers, any satanic forces in nature and any and all emissaries of the satanic headquarters. We ask You to bind by your Precious Blood all of the attributes, aspects and characteristics, interactions, communications and deceitful games of the evil spirits. We ask You to break any and all bonds, ties and attachments in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (Next)
Thursday:
My Lord, You are all powerful, You are God, You are our Father. We beg You through the intercession and help of the Archangels Sts. Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel for the deliverance of our brothers and sisters who are enslaved by the evil one. All Saints of Heaven, come to our aid.
From anxiety, sadness and obsessions – We implore You, deliver us, O Lord.
From hatred, fornication, and envy – We implore You, deliver us, O Lord.
From thoughts of jealousy, rage, and death – We implore You, deliver us, O Lord.
From every thought of suicide and abortion – We implore You, deliver us, O Lord.
From every form of sinful sexuality – We implore You, deliver us, O Lord.
From every division in our family, and every harmful friendship – We implore You, deliver us, O Lord.
From every sort of spell, malefice, witchcraft, and every form of the occult – We implore You, deliver us, O Lord.
You, who said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.” Grant that, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, we may be liberated from every demonic influence and enjoy Your peace always. In the Name of Christ, our Lord. Amen. (Next)
Saturday
O God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Your holy Name and humbly beseech Your clemency, that, through the intercession of the ever immaculate Virgin, our Mother Mary, and of the glorious Archangel Saint Michael, you wouldst vouchsafe to help us against Satan and all the other unclean spirits that are prowling about the world to the great peril of the human race and the loss of souls. Amen.
Conclusion for Every Day: August Queen of the Heavens, heavenly Sovereign of the Angels, you who from the beginning has received from God the power and the mission to crush the head of Satan, we humbly beseech You to send your holy legions, so that under your command and through your power, they may pursue the demons and combat them everywhere, suppress their boldness, and drive them back into the abyss. O good and tender Mother, you will always be our love and hope! O Divine Mother send Your Holy Angels to defend us and to drive far away from us the cruel enemy. Holy Angels and Archangels, defend us, guard us. Amen. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us. Virgin Most Powerful, pray for us. St. Joseph, pray for us. St. Michael the Archangel pray for us. All You Holy Angels, pray for us.
Legion of Mary Opening Prayers ł (Make the Sign of the Cross)
Come, O Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.
V. Send forth Thy Spirit, O Lord, and we shall be created.
R. And Thou shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
O God, who by the light of the Holy Ghost did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that, in the same Spirit we may be truly wise, and ever rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord.
V. Thou, O Lord, will open my lips. R. And my tongue shall announce Thy praise.
V. Incline unto my aid, O God. R. O Lord, make haste to help me. (Glory Be)
Then follow Five Decades of the Rosary with the Hail! Holy Queen
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
O God, whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation; grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating upon these mysteries in the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
V. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
R. Have mercy on us.
V. Immaculate Heart of Mary
R. Pray for us.
V. St. Joseph
R. Pray for us.
V. St John the Evangelist
R.Pray for us.
V. St. Louis-Marie de Montfort
R. Pray for us. ł
Catena Legionis Antiphon: Who is she that comes forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array?
My soul ł doth magnify the Lord. My spirit hath rejoiced in God, my Savior.
Because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid; for behold, from henceforth all generations will call me blest.
For He that is mighty hath done great things to me and holy is His name.
And His mercy is from generation unto generation, to them that fear Him.
He hath showed might in His arm: He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat: and hath exalted the humble.
He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich He hath sent empty away.
He has received Israel His servant: being mindful of His mercy.
As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his seed forever.
Glory Be).
Antiphon: Who is she that cometh forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array?
V. O Mary conceived without sin.
R. Pray for us who have recourse to you.
Let us pray.
O Lord Jesus Christ, our Mediator with the Father, Who has been pleased to appoint the Most Blessed Virgin, Thy Mother, to be our Mother also, and our Mediatrix with Thee, mercifully grant that whosoever comes to Thee seeking Thy favors may rejoice to receive all of them through her. Amen.
Concluding Prayers
ł We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God; despise not our prayers in our necessities, but ever deliver us from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin.
V. Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of all Graces
R. Pray for us.
St. Michael and St. Gabriel
R. Pray for us.
All you heavenly Powers, Mary's Legion of Angels
R. Pray for us.
St. John the Baptist
R. Pray for us.
Saints Peter and Paul
R. Pray for us.
Confer, O Lord, on us, who serve beneath the standard of Mary, that fullness of faith in Thee and trust in her, to which it is given to conquer the world. Grant us a lively faith, animated by charity, which will enable us to perform all our actions from the motive of pure love of Thee, and ever to see Thee and serve Thee in our neighbor; a faith, firm and immovable as a rock, through which we shall rest tranquil and steadfast amid the crosses, toils and disappointments of life; a courageous faith which will inspire us to undertake and carry out without hesitation great things for Thy glory and for the salvation of souls; a faith which will be our Legion's Pillar of Fire - to lead us forth united - to kindle everywhere the fires of divine love - to enlighten those who are in darkness and in the shadow of death - to inflame those who are lukewarm - to bring back life to those who are dead in sin; and which will guide our own feet in the way of peace; so that - the battle of life over - our Legion may reassemble, without the loss of any one, in the kingdom of Your love and glory. Amen.
May the souls of our departed legionaries and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen. ł
Litany of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
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.
Heart of Mary, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, like unto the Heart of God, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, united to the Heart of Jesus, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, instrument of the Holy Ghost, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, sanctuary of the Divine Trinity, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, tabernacle of God Incarnate, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, immaculate from thy creation, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, full of grace, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, blessed among all hearts, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, throne of glory, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, most humble, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, holocaust of Divine Love, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, fastened to the Cross with Jesus Crucified, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, comfort of the afflicted, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, refuge of sinners, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, hope of the agonizing, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, seat of mercy, Pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
V. Immaculate Mary, meek and humble of heart,
R. Make our hearts like unto the Heart of Jesus.
Let Us Pray:
O most merciful God, Who, for the salvation of sinners and the refuge of the miserable, was pleased that the Most Pure Heart of Mary should be most like in charity and pity to the Divine Heart of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, grant that we, who commemorate this sweet and loving Heart, by the merits and intercession of the same Blessed Virgin, may merit to be found like unto the Heart of Jesus, through the same Christ Our Lord.
R. Amen.
Litany to Our Lady of Seven Sorrows
Author: Pope Pius VII
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, Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
Mother of the Crucified, pray for us.
Sorrowful Mother, pray for us.
Mournful Mother, pray for us.
Sighing Mother, pray for us.
Afflicted Mother, pray for us.
Foresaken Mother, pray for us.
Desolate Mother, pray for us.
Mother most sad, pray for us.
Mother set around with anguish, pray for us.
Mother overwhelmed by grief, pray for us.
Mother transfixed by a sword, pray for us.
Mother crucified in thy heart, pray for us.
Mother bereaved of thy Son, pray for us.
Sighing Dove, pray for us.
Mother of Dolors, pray for us.
Fount of tears, pray for us.
Sea of bitterness, pray for us.
Field of tribulation, pray for us.
Mass of suffering, pray for us.
Mirror of patience, pray for us.
Rock of constancy, pray for us.
Remedy in perplexity, pray for us.
Joy of the afflicted, pray for us.
Ark of the desolate, pray for us.
Refuge of the abandoned, pray for us.
Shield of the oppressed, pray for us.
Conqueror of the incredulous, pray for us.
Solace of the wretched, pray for us.
Medicine of the sick, pray for us.
Help of the faint, pray for us.
Strength of the weak, pray for us.
Protectress of those who fight, pray for us.
Haven of the shipwrecked, pray for us.
Calmer of tempests, pray for us.
Companion of the sorrowful, pray for us.
Retreat of those who groan, pray for us.
Terror of the treacherous, pray for us.
Standard-bearer of the Martyrs, pray for us.
Treasure of the Faithful, pray for us.
Light of Confessors, pray for us.
Pearl of Virgins, pray for us.
Comfort of Widows, pray for us.
Joy of all Saints, pray for us.
Queen of thy Servants, pray for us.
Holy Mary, who alone art unexampled, pray for us.
Pray for us, most Sorrowful Virgin, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
O God, in whose Passion, according to the prophecy of Simeon, a sword of grief pierced through the most sweet soul of Thy glorious Blessed Virgin Mother Mary: grant that we, who celebrate the memory of her Seven Sorrows, may obtain the happy effect of Thy Passion, Who lives and reigns world without end. Amen.
Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me.
Memorare Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe
Remember, O most gracious Virgin of Guadalupe, that in your heavenly apparitions on the mount of Tepeyac, you promised to show your compassion and pity towards all who, loving and trusting you, seek your help and call upon you in their necessities and afflictions. You promised to hear our supplications, to dry our tears, and to give us consolation and relief. Never has it been known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, we fly to you, O Mary, ever-Virgin Mother of the true God! Though grieving under the weight of our sins, we come to prostrate ourselves before you. We fully trust that, standing beneath your shadow and protection, nothing will trouble or afflict us, nor do we need to fear illness or misfortune, or any other sorrow. O Virgin of Guadalupe, you want to remain with us through your admirable Image, you who are our Mother, our health, and our life. Placing ourselves beneath your maternal gaze, and having recourse to you in all our necessities, we need do nothing more.
O Holy Mother of God despise not our petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer us. Amen
First Day: Dearest Lady of Guadalupe, fruitful Mother of holiness, teach me your ways of gentleness and strength. Hear my humble prayer offered with heartfelt confidence to beg this favor...(your requests) Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (continue)
Second Day:O Mary conceived without sin, I come to your throne of grace to share the fervent devotion of your faithful children who call upon you under the glorious title of Guadalupe. Obtain for me a lively faith to do your Son’s holy will always: May His will be done on earth as it is in heaven...(your requests) Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (continue)
Third Day: O Mary, most sorrowful, whose Immaculate Heart, was pierced by seven swords of grief, help me to walk valiantly amid the sharp thorns strewn across my pathway. Obtain for me the strength to be a true imitator of you. This I ask you, my dear Mother... (your requests) Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (continue)
Fourth Day: Dearest Mother of Guadalupe, I beg you for a fortified will to imitate your divine Son’s charity, to always seek the good of others in need. Grant me this, I humbly ask of you... (your requests) Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (continue)
Fifth Day: O most holy Mother, I beg you to obtain for me the pardon of all my sins, abundant graces to serve your Son more faithfully from now on, and lastly, the grace to praise Him with you forever in heaven... (your requests) Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (continue)
Sixth Day: O most holy Mother, I beg you to obtain for me the pardon of all my sins, abundant graces to serve your Son more faithfully from now on, and lastly, the grace to praise Him with you forever in heaven... (your requests) Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (continue)
Seventh Day: O Lady of Guadalupe, we beg you that parents live a holy life and educate their children in accordance with the true Catholic faith; that children obey and follow the directions of their parents; and that all members of the family pray and worship together. This we ask of you, O Mother... (your requests) Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (continue)
Eighth Day:O Lady of Guadalupe, with my heart full of the most sincere veneration, I prostrate myself before you, O Mother, to ask you to obtain for me the grace to fulfill the duties of my state in life with faithfulness and constancy... (your requests) Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (continue)
Nineth Day: O God, you have been pleased to bestow upon us unceasing favors by having placed us under the special protection of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. Grant us, your humble servants, who rejoice in honoring her today upon earth, the happiness of seeing her face to face in heaven...(your requests) Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (continue)
Memorare of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Memorare Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe
Remember, O most gracious Virgin of Guadalupe, that in your heavenly apparitions on the mount of Tepeyac, you promised to show your compassion and pity towards all who, loving and trusting you, seek your help and call upon you in their necessities and afflictions. You promised to hear our supplications, to dry our tears, and to give us consolation and relief. Never has it been known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, we fly to you, O Mary, ever-Virgin Mother of the true God! Though grieving under the weight of our sins, we come to prostrate ourselves before you. We fully trust that, standing beneath your shadow and protection, nothing will trouble or afflict us, nor do we need to fear illness or misfortune, or any other sorrow. O Virgin of Guadalupe, you want to remain with us through your admirable Image, you who are our Mother, our health, and our life. Placing ourselves beneath your maternal gaze, and having recourse to you in all our necessities, we need do nothing more.
O Holy Mother of God despise not our petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer us. Amen
Miraculous Medal Novena (Come Holy Spirit)
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you. (3 times.)
O Lord Jesus Christ, who has vouchsafed to glorify by numberless miracles the Blessed Virgin Mary, Immaculate from the first moment of her conception, grant that all who devoutly implore her protection on earth, may eternally enjoy Your presence in heaven, who, with the Father and Holy Spirit, live and reign, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ, who for the accomplishment of Your greatest works, have chosen the weak things of the world, that no flesh may glory in Your sight; and who for a better and more widely diffused belief in the Immaculate Conception of Your Mother, have wished that the Miraculous Medal be manifested to Saint Catherine Laboure, grant, we beseech You, that filled with like
humility, we may glorify this mystery by word and work. Amen. (Memorare)
Novena Prayer: O Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of Our Lord Jesus and our Mother, penetrated with the most lively confidence in your all-powerful and never failing intercession, manifested so often through the Miraculous Medal, we your loving and trustful children implore you to obtain for us the graces and favors we ask during this Novena, if they be beneficial to our immortal souls, and the souls for whom we pray. (Name your petitions.) You know, O Mary, how often our souls have been the sanctuaries of your Son who hates iniquity. Obtain for us then a deep hatred of sin and that purity of heart which will attach us to God alone so that our every thought, word and deed may tend to His greater glory. Obtain for us also a spirit of prayer and self-denial that we may recover by penance what we have lost by sin and at length attain to that blessed abode where you are the Queen of angels and of men. Amen.
An Act of Consecration: O Virgin Mother of God, Mary Immaculate, we dedicate and consecrate ourselves to you under the title of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. May this Medal be for each one of us a sure sign of your affection for us and a constant reminder of our duties toward you. Ever while wearing it, may we be blessed by your loving protection and preserved in the grace of your Son. O most powerful Virgin, Mother of our Savior, keep us close to you every moment of our lives. Obtain for us, your children, the grace of a happy death; so that, in union with you, we may enjoy the bliss of heaven forever. Amen. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you. (3 times.)
Novena to Mary Patroness of the United States
Most Holy Trinity: Our Father in Heaven, who chose Mary as the fairest of your daughters; Holy Spirit, who chose Mary as your Spouse; God the Son, who chose Mary as your Mother, in union with Mary we adore your majesty and acknowledge your supreme, eternal dominion and authority.
Most Holy Trinity, we put the United States of America into the hands of Mary Immaculate in order that she may present the country to you. Through her we wish to thank you for the great resources of this land and for the freedom which has been its heritage.
Through the intercession of Mary, have mercy on the Catholic Church in America. Grant us peace. Have mercy on our President and on all the officers of our government. Grant us a fruitful economy, born of justice and charity. Have mercy on capital and industry and labor. Protect the family life of the nation. Guard the precious gift of many religious vocations. Through the intercession of our Mother, have mercy on the sick, the tempted, sinners - on all who are in need.
Mary, Immaculate Virgin, our Mother, Patroness of our land, we praise you and honor you and give ourselves to you. Protect us from every harm. Pray for us, that acting always according to your will and the will of your divine Son, we may live and die pleasing to God. Amen.
First Day: Dearest Holy Mother, Most Holy Mary, you undo the knots that suffocate your children. Extend your merciful hands to me. I entrust to you today this knot [mention your request here] and all the negative consequences that it provokes in my life. Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me. (continue)
Second Day: Mary, Beloved Mother, channel of all grace, I return to you today my heart, recognizing that I am a sinner in need of your help. I entrust into Your hands this knot [mention your request here] which keeps me from reflecting the glory of God. Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me. (continue)
Third Day: Meditating Mother, Queen of heaven, in whose hands the treasures of the King are found, turn your merciful eyes upon me today. I entrust into your holy hands this knot in my life [mention your request here] and all the rancor and resentment it has caused in me. Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me. (continue)
Fourth Day: Dearest Holy Mother, you are generous with all who seek you, have mercy on me. I entrust into your hands this knot which robs the peace of my heart, paralyzes my soul and keeps me from going to my Lord and serving Him with my life. Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me. (continue)
Fifth Day: Mother, Undoer of Knots, generous and compassionate, I come to you today to once again entrust this knot [mention your request here] in my life to you and to ask the divine wisdom to undo, under the light of the Holy Spirit, this snarl of problems. Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me. (continue)
Sixth Day: Queen of Mercy, I entrust to you this knot in my life [mention your request here] and I ask you to give me a heart that is patient until you undo it. Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me. (continue)
Seventh Day: Mother Most Pure, I come to you today to beg you to undo this knot in my life [mention your request here] and free me from the snares of evil. Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me. (continue)
Eighth Day:Virgin Mother of God, overflowing with mercy, have mercy on your child and undo this knot [mention your request here] in my life. Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me. (continue)
Nineth Day: Most Holy Mary, our Advocate, Undoer of Knots, I come today to thank you for undoing this knot in my life. You know very well the suffering it has caused me. Thank you for coming, Mother, with your long fingers of mercy to dry the tears in my eyes; you receive me in your arms and make it possible for me to receive once again the divine grace. Mary, Undoer of Knots, dearest Mother, I thank you for undoing the knots in my life. Wrap me in your mantle of love, keep me under your protection, enlighten me with your peace! Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me. (continue)
Undoer of Knots: Virgin Mary, Mother of fair love, Mother who never refuses to come to the aid of a child in need, Mother whose hands never cease to serve your beloved children because they are moved by the divine love and immense mercy that exist in your heart, cast your compassionate eyes upon me and see the snarl of knots that exists in my life. You know very well how desperate I am, my pain, and how I am bound by these knots. Mary, Mother to whom God entrusted the undoing of the knots in the lives of his children, I entrust into your hands the ribbon of my life. No one, not even the evil one himself, can take it away from your precious care. In your hands, there is no knot that cannot be undone. Powerful Mother, by your grace and intercessory power with your Son and my Liberator, Jesus, take into your hands today this knot. [Mention your request here]
I beg you to undo it for the glory of God, once for all. You are my hope. O my Lady, you are the only consolation God gives me, the fortification of my feeble strength, the enrichment of my destitution, and, with Christ, the freedom from my chains. Hear my plea. Keep me, guide me, protect me, o safe refuge! Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me. Amen.
First Day:Our Lady of America, you asked that the United States of America “be the country dedicated to my purity” and that your children in America “be the children of my Pure Heart.” (continue)
Second Day:Our Lady of America, you said, “I desire, through my children of America, to further the cause of faith and purity among peoples and nations. Let them come to me with confidence and simplicity, and I, their Mother, will teach them to become pure like my Heart; that their own hearts may be more pleasing to the Heart of my Son.” (continue)
Third Day:Our Lady of America, you said, “What I ask, have asked, and will continue to ask is reformation of life. There must be sanctification from within. I will work my miracles of grace only in those who ask for them and empty their souls of the love and attachment to sin and all that is displeasing to my Son.” (continue)
Fourth Day:Our Lady of America, you said, “My dear children, either you will do as I desire and reform your lives, or God himself will need to cleanse you in the fires of untold punishment. You must be prepared to receive his great gift of peace.” (continue)
Fifth Day:Our Lady of America, you said, “It is the wish of my Son that fathers and mothers strive to imitate me and my chaste spouse in our holy life at Nazareth. We practiced the simple virtues of family life, Jesus our Son being the center of all our love and activity. The Holy Trinity dwelt with us in a manner far surpassing anything that can ever be imagined. For ours was the earthly paradise where once again God walked among men” .... “The Divine Trinity will dwell in your midst only if you are faithful in practicing the virtues of our life at Nazareth. Then, you also, my children, you also will become another paradise. God will then walk among you and you will have peace.” (continue)
Sixth Day:Our Lady of America, you asked your beloved sons, the priests, “to practice self-denial and penance in a special manner, because it is you who must lead my children in the way of peace. Thus, by sanctification from within you; you will become a bright and burning light to the faithful, who look to you for help and guidance.” (continue)
Seventh Day:Our Lady of America, you asked that the youth of our nation be the leaders of a movement of renewal on the face of the earth. You asked that they be prepared by instilling into them, not only the knowledge of the Divine Indwelling, but a serious study of it, living it in such a way that the Divine Presence becomes, as it were an intimate and necessary part of their life and daily living. From this will flow a great love, a conflagration that will envelop the world in the flames of Divine Charity. (continue)
Eighth Day:Our Lady of America, you said that those who wear your medal “with great faith and fervent devotion to you will receive the grace of intense purity of heart and the particular love of the Holy Virgin and her Divine Son.” You also said, ‘Sinners will receive the grace of repentance and the spiritual strength to live as true children of Mary. As in life, so in death, this blessed medal will be as a shield to protect them against the evil spirits, and St. Michael himself will be at their side to allay their fears at the final hour.” (continue)
Nineth Day:Our Lady of America, you asked that a statue be made in your image and placed, after being solemnly carried in procession, in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. You said that you wished to be honored there in a special way as Our Lady of America, the Immaculate Virgin. You promised that the placement of your statue in the Shrine would be a special safeguard for our country. (continue)
Prayer to Our Lady of America: Please intercede for us that we may be granted this grace and morally good leaders who will act according to the revealed will of God and the foundational principles of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America. O Immaculate Mother, Queen of our Country, open our hearts, our homes, and our Land to the coming of Jesus, your Divine Son. With him, reign over us, O heavenly Lady, so pure and so bright with the radiance of God’s light shining in and about you. Be our leader against the powers of evil set upon wresting the world of souls, redeemed at such a great cost by the sufferings of your Son and of yourself, in union with him, from that same Savior, who loves us with infinite charity. We gather about you, O chaste and holy Mother, Virgin Immaculate, Patroness of our beloved Land, determined to fight under your banner of holy purity against the wickedness that would make all the world an abyss of evil, without God and without your loving maternal care. We consecrate our hearts, our homes, our Land to your Most Pure Heart, O great Queen, that the kingdom of your Son, our Redeemer and our God, may be firmly established in us. We ask no special sign of you, sweet Mother, for we believe in your great love for us, and we place in you our entire confidence. We promise to honor you by faith, love, and the purity of our lives according to your desire. Reign over us, then, O Virgin Immaculate, with your Son Jesus Christ. May his Divine Heart and your most chaste Heart be ever enthroned and glorified among us. Use us, your children of America, as your instruments in bringing peace among men and nations. Work your miracles of grace in us, so that we may be a glory to the Blessed Trinity, who created, redeemed, and sanctifies us. May your valiant Spouse, St. Joseph, with the holy Angels and Saints, assist you and us in “renewing the face of the earth.” Then when our work is over, come, Holy Immaculate Mother, and as our Victorious Queen, lead us to the eternal kingdom, where your Son reigns forever as King. Amen. (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be) By your holy and Immaculate Conception, O Mary, deliver us from evil!
Novena to Our Lady of Fatima
O Most Holy Virgin Mary, you came to Fatima to reveal the graces that come from praying the Holy Rosary to three little shepherd children. Inspire us with a sincere love of this devotion so that, like the shepherd children, it is not a burdensome task but a life-giving prayer. May our prayers and meditations on the mysteries of our redemption bring us closer to your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.
First Day: Like the children of Fatima, we want to bring God’s word to others. Give us the strength, O Lord, to overcome our doubts so that we may be messengers of the Gospel. We know that Jesus lives in our hearts and we receive Him in the Eucharist. (continue)
Second Day: Our Lady of Fatima, we pray that we may be like you and follow your example. We pray for all those who face oppression, that they will find peace. We pray and give thanks for all the blessings we enjoy. (continue)
Third Day:: Our Lady of Fatima, Today, we pray for an end to the suffering and injustice that plague so many parts of the world. Through the power of the Lord, you performed a miracle at Fatima and made the sun dance for thousands of people to see. Please intercede for those who are suffering. (continue)
Fourth Day:Our Lady of Fatima, let us pray today for humility to seek forgiveness for our sins and make amends for our misdeeds. (continue)
Fifth Day:Our Lady of Fatima, may we offer everything we do today to our Lord. As we make this offering, we think of people who are affected by our actions each day. We ask God to help us be motivated by love and compassion. (continue)
Sixth Day: Our Lady of Fatima, sometimes we live in fear and we are too afraid to let go of our anxieties. We want to be God’s instruments to achieve his will and to bring him glory. Today we ask through your intercession, that Jesus help us to trust in him like the children at Fatima (continue)
Seventh Day: Our Lady of Fatima, show us how to pray always. Teach us how to speak to God as a friend. Help us to make time for silence in our hectic days so that we may listen to what God has to tell us. Throughout the business of our days, help us remember God and have our hearts centered on Him. (continue)
Eighth Day: Our Lady of Fatima, today we pray for your Son to come to our aid and end the suffering and wars throughout the world. Help us to be like the children at Fatima; loving, trusting and faithful. May we pray to bring peace to our own world in our own small way by choosing to love and trust in the Lord. (continue)
Nineth Day: Our Lady of Fatima, thank you for appearing to the children at Fatima and delivering messages that are still relevant to us today. We pray again and again for peace in the world and for an end to war. May we continue to pray and sacrifice as you requested. (continue)
Fatima Prayer: Lord Jesus, the miracles, prophecies and prayers that Your Mother brought to us at Fatima amazed the whole world. We are certain of her closeness to You. We ask through the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima that you graciously hear and answer our prayers. Especially… (Mention your intentions here…) Our Lady of Fatima Pray for us! Our Lady of the Rosary Pray for us! Immaculate Heart of Mary Pray for us! “From attempts to stifle in human hearts the very truth of God, deliver us.” Amen.
Novena to Our Lady of Hope
O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Grace, Hope of the world.
Hear us, your children, who cry to you. Let Us Pray: O God, Who, by the marvelous protection of the Blessed Virgin, Mary has strengthened us firmly in hope, grant we beseech You, that by persevering in prayer at her admonition, we may obtain the favors we devoutly implore. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen
Prayer to Our Lady of Hope: O Mary, my Mother, I kneel before you with heavy heart. The burden of my sins oppresses me. The knowledge of my weakness discourages me. I am beset by fears and temptations of every sort. Yet I am so attached to the things of this world that instead of longing for Heaven I am filled with dread at the thought of death. O Mother of Mercy, have pity on me in my distress. You are all-powerful with your Divine Son. He can refuse no request of your Immaculate Heart. Show yourself a true Mother to me by being my advocate before His throne. O Refuge of Sinners and Hope of the Hopeless, to whom shall I turn if not you? Obtain for me, then, O Mother of Hope, the grace of true sorrow for my sins, the gift of perfect resignation to God’s Holy Will, and the courage to take up my cross and follow Jesus. Beg of His Sacred Heart the special favor that I ask in this novena. (Make your request.) But above all I pray, O dearest Mother, that through your most powerful intercession my heart may be filled with Holy Hope, so that in life’s darkest hour I may never fail to trust in God my Savior, but by walking in the way of His commandments I may merit to be united with Him, and with you in the eternal joys of Heaven. Amen .
Mary, our Hope, have pity on us. Hope of the Hopeless, pray for us. (3) Hail Marys
Novena to The Immaculate Conception
O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through her intercession, to come unto You. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.
First Day: O most Holy Virgin, who was pleasing to the Lord and became His mother, immaculate in body and spirit, in faith and in love, look kindly on me as I implore your powerful intercession. O most Holy Mother, who by your blessed Immaculate Conception, from the first moment of your conception did crush the head of the enemy, receive our prayers as we implore you to present at the throne of God the favor we now request. (continue)
Second Day: O Mary, ever Blessed Virgin, Mother of God, Queen of Angels and of Saints, we salute you with the most profound veneration and filial devotion as we contemplate your holy Immaculate Conception. We thank you for your maternal protection and for the many blessings that we have received through your wondrous mercy and most powerful intercession. In all our necessities, we have recourse to you with unbounded confidence. O Mother of Mercy, we beseech you now to hear our prayer and to obtain for us of your Divine Son the favor that we so earnestly request in this novena. (continue)
Third Day:O Blessed Virgin Mary, glory of the Christian people, joy of the universal Church and Mother of our Lord, speak for us to the Heart of Jesus, who is your Son and our Brother. O Mary, who by your holy Immaculate Conception did enter the world free from stain, in your mercy obtain for us from Jesus the special favor which we now so earnestly seek. (continue)
Fourth Day:O Mary, Mother of God, endowed in your glorious Immaculate Conception with the fullness of grace; unique among women in that you are both mother and virgin; Mother of Christ and Virgin of Christ, we ask you to look down with a tender heart from your throne and listen to our prayers as we earnestly ask that you obtain for us the favor for which we now plead. (continue)
Fifth Day:O Lord, who, by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, did prepare a fitting dwelling for Your Son, we beseech You that as by the foreseen death of Your Son, You did preserve her from all stain of sin, grant that through her intercession, we may be favored with the granting of the grace that we seek at this time. (continue)
Sixth Day: Glorious and immortal Queen of Heaven, we profess our firm belief in your Immaculate Conception preordained for you in the merits of your Divine Son. We rejoice with you in your Immaculate Conception. To the one ever-reigning God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three in Person, one in nature, we offer thanks for your blessed Immaculate Conception. O Mother of the Word made Flesh, listen to our petition as we ask this special grace during this novena. (continue)
Seventh Day: O Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, and my mother, from the sublime heights of your dignity, turn your merciful eyes upon me while I, full of confidence in your bounty and keeping in mind your Immaculate Conception and fully conscious of your power, beg of you to come to our aid and ask your Divine Son to grant the favor we earnestly seek in this novena, if it be beneficial for our immortal souls and the souls for whom we pray. (continue)
Eighth Day: O Most gracious Virgin Mary, beloved Mother of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, intercede with Him for us that we be granted the favor which we petition for so earnestly in this novena. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, we feel animated with confidence that your prayers on our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. O Glorious Mother of God, in memory of your joyous Immaculate Conception, hear our prayers and obtain for us our petitions. (continue)
Nineth Day: O Mother of the King of the Universe, most perfect member of the human race, “our tainted nature’s solitary boast,” we turn to you as mother, advocate, and mediator. O Holy Mary, assist us in our present necessity. By your Immaculate Conception, O Mary conceived without sin, we humbly beseech you from the bottom of our heart to intercede for us with your Divine Son and ask that we be granted the favor for which we now plead. (continue)
Concluding Prayer: O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in Heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from Him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
A Plea to Mary
Most holy and Immaculate Virgin, help of Christians, mother of the Church, we place ourselves under
your motherly protection. We promise to be faithful to our Christian vocation, to work for the greater
glory of God, the Salvation of our souls, and those entrusted to us.
With faith in your intercession, we pray for the Church, for our family and friends, for youth - especially
those most in need. You were St John Bosco’s teacher. Show us how to imitate his virtues, especially his
union with God, his chastity, humility and poverty, his goodness and total giving of self to others, his
loyalty to the Holy Father and to the Church.
Grant O Mary the graces of which we stand in need (state your petitions here).
A Prayer for the Lives of the Unborn
Dear Mother Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, I pray to you today for the lives of all unborn children who
are in danger of abortion. Please intercede for the parents of these children to be given the grace and
courage to bring their babies to birth and to the lives God has planned for them. Amen.
Prayer to Our lady of the Immaculate Conception
O most Holy Virgin, immaculate in body
and spirit, look kindly on me as I implore
your powerful intercession.
O most Holy Mother, receive my prayers
as I present them to God.
(state your intentions here)
O Mary, Mother of Jesus and our Mother,
you intercede for us with your Son.
O Mary conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to thee.
Amen
A Prayer to Our Lady to avoid Mortal Sin
Say 3 Hail Marys with "Please dear Lady, help me avoid mortal sin this day!"
St. John Paul II's Prayer to Our Lady
Mother, I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you I always want to belong completely to Jesus. Immaculate Conception, Mary my Mother, live in me, act in me, speak in me and through me. Think your thoughts in my mind, love through my heart. Give me your dispositions and feelings. Teach, lead and guide me to Jesus. Correct, enlighten and expand my thoughts and behavior. Possess my soul. Take over my entire personality and life, replace it with yourself. Incline me to constant adoration. Pray in me and through me. Let me live in you and keep me in this union always. Amen.
St. Maximilian Kolbe's Nine-day Preparation for Total Consecration to Our Lady St. Augustine’s Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Breathe in me O Holy Spirit that my thoughts may all be holy;
Act in me O Holy Spirit that my works, too, may be holy;
Draw my heart O Holy Spirit that I love but what is holy;
Strengthen me O Holy Spirit to defend all that is holy;
Guard me then O Holy Spirit that I always may be holy.
DAY ONE: Mary, Spouse of the Holy Spirit, Nurtures Christ and the Church
Reading: Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing is impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
Commentary: The Incarnation takes place in Mary’s womb; the greatest event of history occurs at the Annunciation. The angel greets Mary with superlatives and indicates her primary role as Mother of the Messiah! At this moment the Holy Spirit verifies Mary as His “spouse” and that no human father will be the agent of conception. Mary’s generous response sets the tone of her whole life with Jesus. She is the first and best Christian, our example of giving an unqualified “yes” without knowing the future.
Reflection: St. Maximilian, a Conventual Franciscan, was influenced by his Order’s having been the defender of the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception for six centuries before the definition of the dogma in 1854, and before the words of Mary at Lourdes, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” This Conception took place, after the normal human encounter of her parents, in the womb of Mary’s mother. God, of course, creates each human soul individually; He gifted Mary with utter freedom from sin because of her future motherhood.
In the relationships within the Trinity the only begotten Son is generated by the Father. As we use our human experience to understand what “Son” means, so He leads us to understand the Spirit as the “Uncreated Immaculate Conception.” Thus the Holy Spirit, as it were, gives His own name to Mary: the Immaculate Conception, and chooses her for His bride.
By Christ’s direct command from the Cross, “Behold your Mother,” we are to be formed by the Holy Spirit in Mary’s womb, not physically, of course, but by the process of spiritual formation. Our total consecration acknowledges this process. Whereas such a consecration is not necessary to salvation, it is an immense help. Our awareness of a commitment makes us conscious of our responsibility to evangelize the world and imitate Mary.
As Scripture has it, Jesus remains the Mediator with God, but we go to Jesus and then to God with Mary, and with the whole Church. Thus Mary continues her nurturing motherhood in every member of the Church and gives birth to the likeness of Jesus in all of us by the power of her Spouse, the Holy Spirit, the Uncreated Immaculate Conception.
The Words of St. Maximilian: (Journal reflection: “Our Purpose,” August 1940)
The aim of creation, the end of man himself, is the love of God, Creator and Father, an ever greater love, the divinization of man, his return to God from whom he came, union with God, a fruitful love. So that love for the Father might become even more perfect, infinitely more perfect, the love of the Son Jesus, made itself manifest. But so that love for the Son might burn more intensely and thus enkindle a still more ardent love for the Father, there has come to help us the united love of the Holy Spirit and of the Immaculata, the mother full of mercy, the Mediatrix of all graces, an earthly creature like ourselves, who strongly attracts hearts to herself and to her motherly heart.
The love of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit flames eternally; the love of the Father, Jesus and the Immaculata knows no imperfection. Only man (not always and not in all things) responds imperfectly to this love with his own love. To arouse that love for the Immaculata, therefore, by enkindling it in one’s own heart, to communicate this fire to those who live close to us, to set on fire with this love all souls and each one in particular—those who live now and those who will live in the future, to make this flame burst forth ever more intensely and without restrictions in ourselves and all over the earth: such is our purpose. Everything else is just a means.
An effect resembles the cause that produced it. Consequently every creature shows in itself some resemblance to God, the more perfect the creature is the more evident is this resemblance.
Even if we could establish thousands and thousands of degrees, each more perfect, each more spiritually pure than the last, there would still remain an infinite distance between even the most elevated of these degrees and the Source of Love itself. God bends down to his own creature and joins himself to it with a love that annihilates that whole infinite space; he counts his creature as part of his family, makes it one of his own offspring.
The soul is regenerated in the sacred waters of Baptism and thus becomes God’s child. Water, which purifies everything over which it runs, is a symbol of her who purifies every soul that draws near to her. It is a symbol of the Immaculata, of her who is without stain. Upon one who is washed in this water the grace of the Holy Spirit descends. The Holy Spirit, the divine Spouse of the Immaculata, acts only in her and through her; he communicates supernatural life, the life of grace, the divine life, the sharing in divine love, in divinity. The child of God, as a member of the divine family, has God the Father for father and the Mother of God for mother. Then one has the Son of God for brother and becomes God’s heir and is joined to the Persons of this divine family through love. Nor is that all. The Son of God selects spouses from among souls; he unites himself with them in a conjugal love, and through him they become the mothers of many, many other souls.
DAY TWO: Mary’s humble dependence on God leads to her glorification Reading: Luke 1:39-56
During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” And Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever. Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
Commentary: Mary sets out on her first mission of evangelization—to her own family. Her Spouse, the Holy Spirit, leads Elizabeth, as the text reads, to proclaim Mary “blessed” and the unborn Baptist to stir in her womb at Jesus’ presence. Mary, deeply rooted in the Scriptures of Israel, joins her personal praise of God to the Jewish Testament phrases. She identifies herself as one of the biblical anawim, God’s “little ones,” who humbly depend on God to defend and provide for them. Mary is the exemplar of all believers who trust God absolutely on their spiritual journey.
Reflection: Without any arrogance, but with a divinely inspired revelation, Mary predicts that all generations to come will call her “blessed,” just as her cousin did. Her glory was not of her own making, but God’s gift. So again and again Mary’s role is emphasized in theology, as well as Catholic consciousness. Her shrines at Czestochowa, Guadalupe, Lourdes, Fatima, and elsewhere testify to our human need to show love to our Mother. A believer is spiritually impoverished who allows a day to pass without some expression of fidelity to her prediction.
It is a mistake to think that the purpose of doctrinal statements and the building of shrines is simply to glorify her, however; she who has already received the maximum glorification from God in heaven needs no glory from us! It is rather we who need to venerate her as model and celebrate her mysteries as corollaries of the mysteries of Jesus Christ. However the sacred arts and sciences exhaust themselves in Mary’s praise and name her “blessed,” the reason is always the same: she escaped our solidarity in guilt. She is the Immaculate Conception, the Virgin Mother!
The Words of St. Maximilian: (Magazine article: “The Secret of Strength and Power,” September 1925)
Sometimes one hears people complain: “I would like to correct myself; I would like to be better, but I just can’t!” In history we read about great leaders and conquerors who were not capable of dominating their own evil inclinations. One such, for instance, was the celebrated Alexander the Great, who died a premature death because of his licentious living. When we look about us, we observe the disappearance of all morality, which is really frightening, especially among the young. Indeed, truly diabolical associations are being formed which include crime and debauchery in their program.
How can we counteract this? In such circumstances it might seem to be a sign of humility to recognize one’s own powerlessness, just as when people say: “I can’t correct myself!” But in reality there is a secret sort of pride hidden there. All this shows is that they count on their own strength exclusively and think that they can do this or that, relying solely on their powers.
This is not true; it is a lie, because with our own strength alone, all by ourselves, without divine help, we are not capable of doing anything, absolutely anything (cf. Jn 15:5). What then should we do? Place ourselves totally, with unlimited trust, in the hands of divine mercy, of which Our Lady is by God’s decree the personification. We must not trust in ourselves at all. We should fear ourselves, yet entrust ourselves to her without restriction and turn to her like a child to its mother whenever we feel ourselves incited to evil. Then we shall absolutely not fail. The saints affirm that whoever turns to her in trust during all his life will certainly be saved.
(Magazine article: “More Thinking!”, November 1925) Of course a heart corrupted by sin is fearful of eternity and hence avoids thinking about it. What can one do, then? Refusing to think about reality does not make it go away, so we have to think about it.
Well, now, we have a mother in heaven, the personification of divine mercy, the Immaculata. So then, if the thought of your past life and former sins torments you, if you do not have the courage to look at what is awaiting you beyond the grave, consecrate yourself totally and unreservedly to her. Entrust to her the whole problem of your salvation, your life, death and eternity. Confess your sins sincerely and trust fully in her. Then you will know what peace and happiness really are, a foretaste of paradise. And you will begin to yearn for it.
If you have never experienced all this, try it—see whether it is true or not—and you will find out. (next)
DAY THREE: Mary, the Virgin Mother, and Her Divine Son fulfill the longing of the ages
Reading: Matthew 1:18-25
Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him “Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.
Commentary: The sacred writer is careful to point out the virginal state of Mary by relating Joseph’s experience with the angel, as well as quoting the ancient prophecy of Isaiah (7:14) about the “virgin with child.” As head of the family, Joseph was brought into the mystery of Jesus’ birth. To Mary’s heavenly Spouse, the Holy Spirit, is attributed her conception; to her earthly spouse is given the charge to name the child. Meanwhile Mary keeps silence, despite the anguish she must have suffered, and trusts God to explain her situation to her husband.
Reflection: Right after the Gospels were written, the first Fathers of the Church stressed Mary’s virginity as a keystone of Christian theology. St. Ignatius of Antioch, for example, who was martyred in 116 AD, wrote in his Letter to the Ephesians that Mary’s virginity, along with Jesus’ birth and death, were the three great mysteries crying out to be proclaimed—thus an essential part of the Good News of the Christ, because Mary’s virginity is the convalidation of Jesus’ being the Son of God.
How sad to hear of some theologians who down-play or even deny Mary’s privileges, as if God were limited in his power to arrange His own Son’s birth. And did not the Son have the freedom to make His mother whatever He chose? Did the Holy Spirit set a boundary to His love of His spouse? Those who wish to be totally consecrated to Mary should study her relationships to the Three Divine Persons, come to know her virtues by meditation, and understand her role in salvation as revealed in the Scriptures.
The Words of St. Maximilian: (Journal reflection: “The Immaculata is Yours—You are Hers,” August 1940) This is why the Immaculata is our mother:
This is the common conviction, the belief of the faithful.
Jesus gave her to us.
She is the mother of the Church’s Head, that is, Jesus, hence the mother of his members.
She is mother of divine grace, the grace of the Holy Spirit; she is the Mediatrix of Graces, mother of the life of grace, of the spiritual life.
She is the mother of the Redeemer, hence also mother of the redeemed, Co-redemptrix.
She is the mother of the Creator, hence the Mother of all creatures as well (angels, men, and so forth).
So you, my child, must love her as your mother with all the generosity of your heart. She loved you enough to sacrifice God’s Son for you. In the Annunciation she welcomed you with all graciousness as her child. She will make you like herself, will make you ever more immaculate, will nourish you with the milk of her grace. Just let yourself be guided by her; let yourself be ever more willingly shaped by her. Watch over the purity of your conscience; purify it in her love. Do not get discouraged, even if you sin seriously, repeatedly. An act of perfect love will purify you again. You belong to her as her property. Let her do with you what she wishes. Do not let her feel herself bound by any restrictions flowing from the obligations a mother has towards her own child.
Be hers—her property. Let her make free use of you and dispose of you without any limits for whatever purpose she wishes. Let her be your owner, your Lady and absolute Queen. A servant sells his labor. You, on the contrary, offer yours as a gift: your fatigue, your suffering, all that is yours. Beg her not to pay attention to your free will, but to act towards you always as she desires in full liberty.
Be her child, her servant, her slave of love in every way and under whatever formulation yet devised or which can be devised now or in the future. In a word, be all hers. Be hers to the point of being her soldier, so that others may become ever more perfectly hers, like you yourself and even more than you; so that all those who live and will live all over the world may work together with her in her struggle against the infernal serpent. Belong to the Immaculata so that your conscience, becoming ever purer, may be purified still more; become immaculate, as she is for Jesus, so you, too, may become a mother and conqueror of hearts for her. (next)
DAY FOUR: Mary Joins Herself to Jesus for Our Redemption
Reading: Luke 2:22-40
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,” and to offer the sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel. The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
Commentary: Mary and Joseph faithfully adhere to the Jewish law and consecrate the Boy to the Lord. The Holy Spirit again activates the mystery of Jesus as Simeon holds Him and proclaims the presence of the light of the world and glory of Israel. He foretells that the Child will be opposed in order to reveal the thoughts of many hearts. Mary, he predicts, will be directly linked to the suffering of the Messiah; she will be pierced by a sword. By the prophecy of Simeon the Holy Spirit prepares His spouse to enter deeply into the redemptive process alongside her Son.
Reflection: John’s Gospel often uses individuals as “types,” that is, symbols of whole groups or even of all human beings. In the dialogue with “the Mother of Jesus” and “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” John makes the disciple stand in for all the world and the Church. By Jesus giving Mary to John as his mother, she becomes the mother of the Church and the world.
As a daughter of Israel, Mary had the pain of seeing her homeland overrun by the Romans. As a child of God she suffered from seeing her nation’s leaders too concerned about external observances. After Jesus left home she had the uncertainty of poverty and fear for her Son’s life. Then after seeing her Son die shamefully and enjoying His resurrected presence for a mere forty days, she witnessed the martyrdom of the early believers, the Mystical Body of which she was the Mother. Yet she continued to press the work of evangelization, becoming the prime source of knowledge for the events of Jesus’ life, keeping His memory alive, strengthening the disciples, even though she was impatient to be homeward bound to possess what she had so long pondered.
The Words of St. Maximilian: (Magazine article: “Purpose of the Militia of the Immaculata,” December 1937)
Strictly speaking, the mission of the Militia of the Immaculata is the same as that of the Immaculata herself. As Co-redemptrix, in fact, she desires to extend to all humanity the fruits of the redemption effected by her Son and to do all she can to win back to Christ heretics, schismatics, Freemasons, Jews, etc. The sole desire of the Immaculata is to lift the level of our spiritual life until it reaches the height of sanctity. She does not expect to bring about these goals of apostolic activity directly, in person. Rather, she seeks to involve us in them. Consequently the essential condition that every member of the Militia of the Immaculata should effectively realize is self-offering to the Immaculata as her own.
We can consecrate ourselves to the Immaculata by making use of any formula, as long as we renounce our own wills and adhere to her orders, which are made known to us in the commandments of God and of the Church, in the duties of our state in life, and in internal inspirations. This activity of the Immaculata will be all the more effective the more that we for our part seek to deepen our spiritual formation. Consecration to the Immaculata, therefore, implies the necessity of working for the perfection of ourselves and of our inclinations. Only when we are perfectly obedient to the Immaculata shall we become worthy instruments in her apostolic hands. We shall be apostles by the example of our lives, apostles by offering others the help of our actions. (next)
DAY FIVE: Mary, Our Model of Spirituality, is Formed by Jesus
Reading: Luke 2:41-52
Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.
Commentary: As devout Jews, the Holy Family makes the Passover pilgrimage to Jerusalem, but Mary and Joseph lose track of Jesus on the way home. Mary’s heart sinks when she finds the Boy in dialogue with the religious teachers; she wonders whether this is the time He must leave home to begin His ministry—and she knows she must let Him go. She does not grasp His answer about His “Father’s house.” But she accepts the guidance of her Son and returns home, keeping the event in her memory and pondering it in her heart.
Reflection: Three times in the Infancy Narrative of Luke, Mary is said to reflect on the events in Jesus’ life: the Nativity, the Presentation, the Finding in the Temple. Mary is presented to us as the model of the Church’s prayer life, and of living by the instruction of Jesus. After the pattern of Mary, the Church reflects on her Head and cherishes what Jesus said and did. After His being found in the Temple, Jesus is said to grow in wisdom and grace and age. It is obvious that Mary also grew spiritually throughout her life. No doubt Mary taught her Son how to be a more effective person on the human level, how to relate with women in His ministry, how to express feelings of mercy and tenderness and compassion. Jesus in turn taught her as His chief disciple how to understand the Jewish Testament about His own life’s work, so that she was fully prepared to surrender her mother’s rights, “let go” of Him, and even enter the mystery of the passion at His side. Thus, God involved Mary in His design, His “secret plan” hidden for ages, but revealed in Christ in the fullness of time. We, too, are called to search out God’s plan and Mary’s share in that mystery of salvation. We do not choose her as mother or queen; God has already chosen her. We are simply the beneficiaries of the gift of Mary’s presence in the Church and in individual souls. By our total consecration, what begins in our lives as obedience to God’s inspiration ends with joy and peace that we have made such a commitment!
The Words of St. Maximilian: (Journal reflection: “The Immaculate is Yours—You are Hers,” August 1940) You are hers, so let yourself be guided by the Immaculata.
Feel sure that she permits whatever does not depend on your will for your own good, even if it arises from another evil will. She is the one who wants this to happen to you.
Meet a difficulty: a) by not paying attention to it as long as it neither helps nor hinders you in achieving your aim of drawing closer to her, of loving her, Jesus, and the Father, b) by making use of this circumstance—going along with it—if it can help you, or c) by opposing it, if it is an impediment to you. She wants you to act in this way.
In what religious obedience prescribes, her will, that of her Son, and that of the Father is obvious. Hence it must be infinitely wise, prudent, powerful and good, even if by the light of your reason you are not able to realize this, since your mind is limited and fallible.
By putting her will into practice you show genuine, substantial love for her, for Jesus and for the Father. You become holy.
Whatever the Father wills, the Son and the Holy Spirit will likewise. Jesus and the Immaculata will it, too; their wills never contradict each other.
In those matters where neither necessity nor obedience decides, act as you wish, seeking to please her. “Love, and do what you will,” as St. Augustine said.
Keep your conscience pure; be careful not to fall. But if you do fall, hasten to rise again.
She will keep you from falling if you place your trust in her, not relying at all on yourself—if you do on your part what you can, not to fall, with her help.
The reason for a fall is over-confidence in one’s own strength. The truth is that by ourselves we are nothing and can do nothing. Without her, the Mediatrix of Grace, we cannot keep from falling.
If you do fall, offer yourself to her right away, with the whole sorry business of your fall, and beg for pardon. “Dearest ‘Mom,’ pardon me, and ask Jesus to pardon me, too.” Try to perform your next action in such a way as to give the greatest possible joy to her and to Jesus. Be sure that this act of love will completely wipe out your fault. In your next confession accuse yourself of that fault—but she, Jesus and the Father will already have forgotten it.
Love with your whole being, your whole will, your whole heart. But if you feel yourself dry and cannot elicit feelings of love, do not be concerned; this does not belong to the essence of love. If your will desires only to accomplish her will, be at peace, for you truly love her, Jesus and the Father.
Do not forget that holiness consists not in extraordinary actions, but in performing well your duties toward God, yourself and others.
No one, and not even the holiest state of life, can guarantee that you will sanctify your soul if you neglect the duties proper to that state. Try to discover in these duties the certain will of the Immaculata. By fulfilling this you will demonstrate your love for her and in and through her for Jesus and the Father. Indeed, prayer, penance, and other works, even though good in themselves, are of no value in her eyes if they hinder you in the proper carrying out of your duties. In these alone you find her will.
You can, without hesitation, use expressions like “I desire to fulfill the Immaculata’s will,” “May the Immaculata’s will be done,” “The Immaculata wanted it this way,” because she wills what Jesus wills, as Jesus wills what his Father wills. Thus, her will differs in no way from that of her Son and of the Father.
Indeed, the very act of yielding yourself unreservedly to her will not only shows that you love the will of God, but also proclaim the truth that her will is so perfect that it deviates in nothing from the will of God. Thus, you will give glory to God the Father and the Son, both for creating a creature as perfect as she is and for having made her his own mother. (next)
Day SIX: Mary Leads Us to Obey Christ, the Head of the Church
Reading: John 2:1-11
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.
Commentary: This text relates the first of Jesus’ public signs, which led to His disciples’ believing in Him. He appears to advance the time of his charismatic ministry at the insistence of His Mother. Her motive is so human, so down-to-earth: to save a groom embarrassment at a time when he was scarcely thinking of his guests! Jesus adds His special touch to the party; He provides not just any wine, but a choice vintage. Jesus and Mary always bring joy and harmony to all our mundane activities, if we but give them access to our lives.
Reflection: Generally St. John’s Gospel mentions significant persons by name, but at Cana and Calvary, he simply uses the title, “Mother of Jesus.” He alone records that Jesus addresses Mary as “woman,” a title of respect in a formal situation. It was as if Jesus was formally denoting the place of Mary in the believing community for all time. In fact, He both opens and closes His public life with a dialogue with her: at Cana and Calvary. This surely indicates her importance at critical junctures of human life, because the Gospels have significance for all times and all persons, beyond the simple narration of Jesus’ personal history.
At Cana Mary does not ask for anything in particular, but just tells her Son about the lack of wine at the party, knowing He will take care of the need. At Calvary she accepts John and all of us as her children, once more without asking anything.
Will she do less for us today who wish to call her “Mother”? Does Jesus refuse her anything when she makes known our needs? Her only command in the Scriptures is, “Do whatever He tells you.” She leads us to obey Christ. She does not judge us, but simply receives us.
When Jesus told us to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect, He must have meant for us to love others unconditionally and forgive—because who but God can forgive sins? So Mary loves us unconditionally and forgives us when we forget her or turn away momentarily in our sins. But she is interested, as is God himself—for their wills are the same—in making us more worthy of grace now and more ready for God’s judgment at death.
Your ideal, then, as we consecrate ourselves totally, is to deepen that love relationship with her and carry the message of her power and mercy to everyone we know, first to our family and friends and co-workers, then to our parish and community and neighborhood, finally to all nations and all hearts. But our effectiveness will flow from consecrating our bodies and souls, all our powers and virtues, every relationship and human experience.
The Words of St. Maximilian: (Magazine article: “On the MI,” December 1936) The ideal of those who join [the Militia of the Immaculata] is to belong to the Immaculata, to be her servant, child, slave, property—in a word, to be hers under whatever title which love for her has ever thought of or will be ever capable of thinking to belong to her in all aspects during one’s whole life, death, and eternity: to be hers without any restriction, irrevocably and forever hers; to become ever more totally hers, more perfectly hers, more like her, more one with her; to become in some fashion her very self; so that she may take possession of our souls more fully, may master them entirely, and in them and through them may think, speak, love God and others, and act. Such is the ideal: to become hers, to be “of the Immaculata.”
Whoever becomes her possession in an increasingly perfect manner, in this fashion will exercise an ever greater influence in the milieu in which he is placed and will spur others on to know the Immaculata ever more perfectly, to love her ever more ardently, to draw ever closer to her, and to consecrate oneself to her to the point of becoming totally and without any limitation her very self. A soul of this kind, totally possessed by the Immaculata, will conquer an increasing number of souls for her, using every legitimate means, and will become not only her property, but her knight, a soldier of the Immaculata! (next)
DAY SEVEN: Mary, the New Eve and Mother of the Church
Reading: Genesis 3:14-20
Then the Lord God said to the serpent: Because you have done this, you shall be banned from all the animals and from all the wild creatures; On your belly shall you crawl, and dirt shall you eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel. To the woman he said: I will intensify the pangs of your childbearing; in pain shall you bring forth children. Yet your urge shall be for your husband, and he shall be your master. To the man he said: Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat, Cursed be the ground because of you! In toil shall you eat its yield all the days of your life. Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to you, as you eat of the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face shall you get bread to eat, Until you return to the ground, from which you were taken; For you are dirt, and to dirt you shall return. The man called his wife Eve, because she became the mother of all the living.
Commentary: This text provides the first promise of the Savior to come, the only balm to the painful curse upon our race. The snake, symbol for Satan, will be crushed under the heel of Eve’s offspring, who is eminently Jesus Christ, of course. The Church has also applied this passage to Mary, who is the enemy of the tempter. Since we are Mary’s children by adoption and consecration, the warfare is carried on today by us, her “offspring.”
Reflection: Humankind’s capacity for good was not entirely destroyed by original sin, only impaired. God made several covenants with the chosen people and finally through Christ with the Church. The possibility of a sacred relationship with God flowered most perfectly when in the fullness of time Mary conceived the Savior. Her fullness of grace reversed the triple alienation of our first parents from God, one another, and nature itself. She has made it possible to restore paradise even on earth to those who establish harmony and reason in their own triple relationships.
Some Christians, hesitant in their commitment to Mary, point out that she appears in only a few passages of the Gospels, only once in the Epistles, and only mysteriously in Revelation. Yet it is not the number of passages, but their significance that counts. The Christian Testament is not a detailed biography of Jesus as such, but rather His Good News as proclaimed by the first believing community. That community recorded Mary’s role at the significant times of Jesus’ life, her modeling as the “ponderer” of sacred events, her consent to the Incarnation, her presence at the Cross and on Pentecost, her hearing the Word of God and keeping it, her symbolizing the perfect discipleship.
The totally consecrated person likewise ponders the Christian mysteries and joins his or her life to that of Jesus and Mary. Total consecration is also a “covenant” made by an act of the will. It does not lie in feeling, but in action. The fact that one does not repudiate this covenant, but tries to remember it as often as possible and live by its implications concretely suffices for its effectiveness. One can scarcely have a continuous awareness all day long of one’s consecration. We do our duty and know we belong to her entirely.
The Words of St. Maximilian: (Magazine article: “The First Condition,” May 1922) The aim of the Militia of the Immaculata is so difficult to achieve, that if we relied only on natural energy, activity, and effort, we could with reason doubt about the possibility of achieving it. Daily experience, in fact, teaches us that the Church’s enemies have more abundant natural means, and often, as Christ has told us, they are wiser in their own ways than the children of light. Further, to obtain the conversion and sanctification of souls, grace is needed, whereas corrupt nature tends by its own inclination towards sin. Consequently, we can count solely on help from on high.
In this area the easiest and surest help is, by God’s Will, the most holy Virgin Mary. To her the Church applies the words of the Holy Scripture: “She shall crush your head” (Gn 3:15), that is, of the infernal serpent. Of her the Church sings: “You have overcome all heresies in the whole world” (Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary).
Furthermore, history teaches that no conversion ever has taken place without a particularly evident presence of Mary’s hand (all the saints have entertained a special devotion towards her), while Pope Leo XIII affirms in an encyclical on the Rosary: “It can be said that by a divine disposition nothing can be communicated to us from the infinite treasure of grace except through Mary. Thus just as no one can draw near to the Father save by means of the Son, so too ordinarily no one can draw near to Christ except by means of his mother.”
Can we, therefore, set about our task of fulfilling the purpose of the Militia of the Immaculata in any other way than by consecrating ourselves unreservedly, totally, and forever to the most Blessed Virgin Mary Immaculate, to be instruments in her hands so that she herself may act in us and through us? A consecration of this kind, therefore, constitutes the essence of the Militia of the Immaculata.
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DAY EIGHT: Mary, Model of Faith
Reading: Mark 3:31-35
His mother and his brothers arrived. Standing outside they sent word to him and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers (and your sisters) are outside asking for you.” But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and (my) brothers?” And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. (For) whoever does the Will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”
Commentary: The family of Jesus interrupts His teaching. He remarks that even the closest physical kinship must cede to the spiritual kinship He is generating with his listeners, based on their fulfilling the Will of His heavenly Father. While not disparaging His own Mother, Jesus gently continues to form her with His spiritual direction. His words also reveal the true source of Mary’s greatness, for she had already heard the word of God and kept it with such perfection that she had become the virgin Mother of the Incarnate Word, the biblical sign of the Church’s perfect relationship with Christ.
Reflection: We cannot approach the mysteries of Mary without the illumination of her Spouse, the Holy Spirit, who scrutinizes all matters, even the deep things of God (1 Cor 2:10). If she seems remote, an untouchable figure on a pedestal, it may be because we have not striven to know her, talk with her in prayer, see how she combined an obscure humdrum life with great sanctity. It has been said that it is difficult, at times, for a person to relate positively with our heavenly Mother if that person has had a poor relationship with his or her human mother. Yet the point is that Jesus is the pattern of our other relationships—and He forever calls her “Mother.”
Surely Jesus continues His filial respect and love for her even in heaven, and accepts her intercession for clients! We recall that Jesus said, “Who is my Mother? . . . whoever does the Will of my Father in heaven” (Mt 12:48). No doubt Mary was without equal in this obedience by her continual fiat. She was the greatest and most gifted person as Virgin and Mother, but she was the most perfect disciple and co-worker because she pondered God’s Word and lived by its implications. The totally consecrated person will do no less.
The Words of St. Maximilian: (“Who is She?” Sketches for a book, 1940) Of herself, Mary is nothing, even as all other creatures are; but by God’s gift she is the most perfect of creatures, the most perfect image of God’s divine being in a purely human creature.
She comes, then, from the Father, through the Son and the Holy Spirit, as from her Creator who, out of nothing, calls into being creatures made in His own image, the image of the Holy Trinity. These creatures are limited; yet God likes to find in them the image of Himself which they bear. These beings, endowed with reason and free will, know and acknowledge that they come from God and receive everything from Him: what they are, what they can do, what they possess moment by moment. In return, they show Him their love, both on account of what they receive from Him, and because he, God, the infinite perfection, is worthy of infinite love.
The Immaculata never knew the slightest stain; in other words, her love was always full, without flaw. She loved God with all her being, and from the first instance of her existence her love united with God so perfectly that on the day of the Annunciation the Angel could say to her, “Full of grace! The Lord is with thee!” (cf. Lk 1: 28) She is, then, God’s creature, God’s image, God’s child, and in all these respects she is all this in the most perfect manner possible among the ranks of mere creatures.
She is God’s instrument. With full consciousness and total willingness she allows God to govern her; she consents to his will, desires only what he desires, and acts according to his will in the most perfect manner, without failing, without ever turning aside from his will. She makes perfect use of the powers and privileges God has given her, so as to fulfill always and in everything whatever God wants of her, purely for love of God, One and Three. This love of God reaches such a peak that it bears the divine fruits proper to God’s own love. Her love for God brings her to such a level of union with him that she becomes the Mother of God. The Father confides to her his Son; the Son descends into her womb; and the Holy Spirit fashions out of her perfectly pure body the very Body of Jesus.
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DAY NINE: Jesus Entrusts His Disciples to Mary
Reading: John 19:16-28
Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle. Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews.”
Now many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that he said, ‘I am the King of the Jews.’” Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”
When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four shares, a share for each soldier. They also took his tunic, but the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top down. So they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it will be,” in order that the passage of scripture might be fulfilled (that says): They divided my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots. This is what the soldiers did. Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, Woman, behold, your son. Then he said to the disciple, Behold, your mother. And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, I thirst.
Commentary: The statements of dying persons tend to voice their important insights and final messages. In his last moments Jesus gives His Mother to all the world in the person of John. Then He “realizes everything was complete.” Mary is His last blessing for us. He leaves her to instruct and pray for the Church which is being born out of His side on Calvary. Mary continues to echo, “Let it be done with me as you say.”
Reflection: St. Maximilian was always interested in science. He applied one principle of Newtonian physics to his theology: bodies affect each other through a process of action and reaction. Every grace (God’s action) reaches us through Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Immaculata. Our human response (the reaction) passes in reverse order through the Immaculata, the Holy Spirit, and Christ, whether we are aware of it or not. (Through total consecration we acknowledge this fact.)
Some believers have difficulty in understanding Mary’s mediation because the Bible mentions only one mediator, Christ. As we examine the double mystery of Jesus and Mary in redemption we can use this formulation to make it clear: our spiritual journey to the Father is not so much a way of going from Mary to Jesus to the Father, but a way of going to Jesus with Mary to reach the Father.
It was Jesus’ choice to associate his Mother with salvation; it is our choice to accept this association or fail to penetrate the “heartland” of theology. Even now Mary continues her concern to accompany us on the way of salvation; the easiest means of reaching the kingdom of heaven is to join Mary and to introduce her to others. She repays even the smallest reverence to her a hundredfold.
The Words of St. Maximilian: (“During her Earthly Life.” Taken from an undated manuscript for a book planned on Mary.) And, so one day, the hour had come for her appearance in this world. She was born into this world in an unknown, hidden and poor home in a Palestinian village. Even the books of Scripture say little about her. We see her in the Scripture at the Annunciation, that moment when she became the Mother of God. We follow her journey to Bethlehem and there we marvel at the advent of God Made Man in a humble stable. Once again, full of concern, we see her on the way to Egypt, consider the difficulties of that voluntary exile, and finally the return to Palestine. We take note, too, of the careful search for the Child Jesus and his finding in the Temple at Jerusalem. Once again at the side of her Son, we find her in Cana of Galilee at the wedding feast, where, for the benefit of the newly married couple the Lord works his first miracle. Jesus goes out to preach and teach; she remains in her little home, worried about the fate that will be his. Mary appears again to accompany Jesus on his journey to Calvary and to the Cross and there, on Golgotha, she is near him at the hour of his death. It is she who holds close to her heart the wounded Body taken down from the Cross. We see her still again when the Holy Spirit is poured out upon her and the Apostles in the Upper Room, as she remains with the followers of her Son as a loving and good Mother, seeing to their preparation. Long decades pass before we can think of her passage into heaven. Though documents may be lacking for many of these years, we know that she spent many years at the side of the Beloved Disciple John.
Sub Tuum Praesidium Prayer
We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.
Miraculous Medal Prayer
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of the Church and all those recommended to you.
Prayer of Total Consecration (to be said after completing the Ninth Day) By St. Maximilian Kolbe
O Immaculata, Queen of heaven and earth, refuge of sinners and our most loving Mother, God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy to you. I, N…, a repentant sinner, cast myself at your feet humbly imploring you to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to yourself as your possession and property. Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and body, of my whole life, death, and eternity, whatever most pleases you. If it pleases you, use all that I am and have without reserve, wholly to accomplish what was said of you: “She will crush your head,” and, “You alone have destroyed all heresies in the world.” Let me be a fit instrument in your immaculate and merciful hands for introducing and increasing your glory to the maximum in all the many strayed and indifferent souls, and thus help extend as far as possible the blessed kingdom of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. For wherever you enter you obtain the grace of conversion and growth in holiness, since it is through your hands that all graces come to us from the most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
V. Allow me to praise you, O sacred Virgin.
R. Give me strength against your enemies.
Prayers to St. Joseph
30 Day Novena of the Holy Cloak of St. Joseph
St. Joseph’s Holy Cloak Novena – Extraordinary Graces Obtained
St. Joseph’s Holy Cloak Novena is a particular and special way to merit the patronage of this great Saint while also rendering honor to him.
It is to be recited on thirty consecutive days in memory of the thirty years St. Joseph spent in the company of Jesus Christ, Son of God. If for some reason you cannot recite the prayer on a particular day, you may make up for it by reciting it on the 30th day as many times as the recitation was missed.
The extraordinary graces obtained by this prayer are innumerable. In fact, St. Theresa said: “If you really want to believe in it, prove it to yourself by reciting the Novena and you will be finally convinced.”
To be even more assisted in receiving your petition, it would be well to offer a thoughtful prayer for the Souls in Purgatory.
With the same solicitude that we help dry the tears of the suffering souls, so too can we hope that St. Joseph will help dry our tears in our necessities. In this way, St. Joseph’s Holy Cloak will spread itself over us and will serve as a shield against all those dangers which beset us so that we may all one day, with the grace of God, obtain eternal salvation.
Our Lord and Our Lady invite us to love and honor and pray to St. Joseph:
Jesus himself said to St. Margaret, “I wish that every day you offer special prayers to My mother and St. Joseph, My most sweet guardian.” The Blessed Mother said to the Venerable Dagreda, “You must see to it that you continually increase your love and devotion to this great Saint. In all your necessities, you must avail yourself of his protection, under all circumstances you must encourage as many people as possible toward this devotion . . . for indeed, whatever my devoted spouse requests in Heaven, the Almighty God will grant on Earth.”
Prayers for St. Joseph’s Holy Cloak Novena
In the name of the Father; and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.
(Recite three Glory Be’s to the Father in thanksgiving for having exalted St Joseph to a position of such exceptional dignity.)
Offering 1
O Glorious Patriarch St Joseph, I humbly prostrate myself before you. I beg the Lord Jesus, your Immaculate Spouse, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the angels and saints in the Heavenly Court, to join me in this devotion. I offer you this precious cloak, while pledging my sincerest faith and devotion. I promise to do all in my power to honour you throughout my lifetime to prove my love for you.
Help me, St Joseph. Assist me now and throughout my lifetime, but especially at the moment of my death, as you were assisted by Jesus and Mary, that I may join you one day in Heaven and there honour you for all eternity. Amen
O Glorious Patriarch St Joseph, prostrate before you and your divine Son, Jesus, I offer you, with heartfelt devotion, this precious treasury of prayers, being ever mindful of the numerous virtues which adorned your sacred person. In you, O Glorious Patriarch, was fulfilled the dream of your precursor the first Joseph, who indeed seemed to have been sent by God to prepare the way for your presence on this earth. In fact, not only were you surrounded by the shining splendour of the rays of the divine Sun, Jesus, but you were splendidly reflected in the brilliant light of the mystic moon, the Blessed Virgin Mary. O Glorious Patriarch, if the example of the ancient Jacob, who personally went to congratulate his favorite son, who was exalted on the throne of Egypt, served to bring all his progeny there, should not the example of Jesus and Mary, who honoured you with their greatest respect and trust, serve to bring me, your devoted servant, to present you with this precious cloak in your honour. Grant, O Great St Joseph, that Almighty God may turn a benevolent glance toward me. As the ancient Joseph did not reject his guilty and cruel brothers, but rather accepted them with love and protected and saved them from hunger and death – I beseech you, O Glorious Patriarch, through your intercession, grant that the Lord may never abandon me in this exiled valley of sorrows. Grant that He may always number me as one of your devoted servants who live serenely under the patronage of your Holy Cloak. Grant that I may live always within the protection of this patronage, every day of my life and particularly at that moment when I draw my dying breath.
PRAYERS ( I )
Hail O Glorious St Joseph, you who are entrusted with the priceless treasures of heaven and earth, and foster-father of Him who nourishes all creatures of the universe. You are, after Mary, the saint most worthy of our love and devotion. You alone, above all the saints, were chosen for that supreme honour of rearing, guiding, nourishing and even embracing the Messiah, whom so many Kings and Prophets would have so desired to behold.
St Joseph, save my soul and obtain for me from the Divine Mercy of God that petition for which I humbly pray. And for the holy souls in Purgatory, grant a great comfort from their pain.
(Recite 3 Glory be’s to the Father)
PRAYERS ( II )
O Powerful St Joseph, you were proclaimed the Patron of the Universal Church, therefore, I invoke you, above all the other saints, as the greatest protector of the afflicted, and I offer countless blessings to your most generous heart, always ready to help in any need.
To you, O Glorious St Joseph, come the widows, the orphans, the abandoned, the afflicted, the oppressed. There is no sorrow, heartache or anguish which you have not consoled. Deign, I beseech you, to use on my behalf those gifts which God has given you, until I too shall be granted the answer to my petition. And you, holy souls in Purgatory, pray to St Joseph for me.
(Recite 3 Glory be’s to the Father)
PRAYERS ( III )
Countless are those who have prayed to you before me and have received comfort and peace, graces and favours. My heart, so sad and sorrowful, cannot find rest in the midst of this trial which besets me. O Glorious St Joseph, you know all my needs even before I set them forth in prayer. You know how important this petition is for me. I prostrate myself before you as I sigh under the heavy weight of the problem which confronts me.
There is no human heart in which I can confide my sorrow; and even if I should find a compassionate creature who would be willing to assist me, still he would be unable to help me. Only you can help me in my sorrow, St Joseph, and I beg you to hear my plea.
Has not St Theresa left it written in her dialogues – that the world may always know – “Whatever you ask of St Joseph, you shall receive.”
O St Joseph, comforter of the afflicted, have pity on my sorrow and pity on those poor souls who place so much hope in their prayers to you.
(Recite 3 Glory be’s to the Father)
PRAYERS ( IV )
O Sublime Patriarch St Joseph, because of your perfect obedience to God, you may intercede for me.
For your holy life full of grace and merit, hear my prayer.
For your most sweet name, help me.
For your most holy tears, comfort me.
For your seven sorrows, intercede for me.
For your seven joys, console me.
From all harm of body and soul, deliver me.
From all dangers and disaster, save me.
Assist me with your powerful intercession and seek for me, through your power and mercy, all that is necessary for my salvation and particularly the favour of which I now stand in such great need.
(Recite 3 Glory be’s to the Father)
PRAYERS ( V )
O Glorious St Joseph, countless are the graces and favours which you have obtained for afflicted souls. Illness of every nature, those who are oppressed, persecuted, betrayed, bereft of all human comfort, even those in need of their life bread – all who implore your powerful intercession are comforted in their affliction.
Do not permit, O dearest St Joseph, that I alone be the only one of all who have appealed to you, to be denied this petition which I so earnestly beg of you. Show your kindness and generosity even to me, that I may cry out in thanksgiving, “Eternal glory to our Holy Patriarch St Joseph, my great protector on Earth and the defender of the Holy Souls in Purgatory.”
(Recite 3 Glory be’s to the Father)
PRAYERS ( VI )
Eternal Father, who are in Heaven, through the merits of Jesus and Mary, I beg you to grant my petition. In the name of Jesus and Mary I prostrate myself before your divine presence and I beseech you to accept my hopeful plea to persevere in my prayers that I may be numbered among the throngs of those who live under the patronage of St Joseph.
Extend your blessing on this precious treasury of prayers which I today offer to him as a pledge of my devotion.
(Recite 3 Glory be’s to the Father)
SUPPLICATIONS IN HONOR OF ST JOSEPH’S HIDDEN LIFE WITH MARY AND JESUS
St Joseph, pray that Jesus may come into my soul and sanctify me.
St Joseph, pray that Jesus may come into my heart and inspire it with charity.
St Joseph, pray that Jesus may come into my mind and enlighten it.
St Joseph, pray that Jesus may guide my will and strengthen it.
St Joseph, pray that Jesus may direct my thoughts and purify them.
St Joseph, pray that Jesus may guide my desires and direct them.
St Joseph, pray that Jesus may look upon my deeds and extend his blessings.
St Joseph, pray that Jesus may inflame me with love for him.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus the imitation of your virtues.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus true humility of spirit.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus meekness of heart.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus peace of soul.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus a holy fear of the Lord.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus a desire for perfection.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus a gentleness of heart.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus a holy acceptance of suffering.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus the wisdom of faith.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus his blessing of perseverance in my good deeds.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus the strength to carry my crosses.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus a disdain for the material goods of this world.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus the grace to always walk on the narrow path towards Heaven.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus the grace to avoid all occasion of sin.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus a holy desire for eternal bliss.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus the grace of final perseverance.
St Joseph, do not abandon me.
St Joseph, pray that my heart may never cease to love you and that my lips may ever praise you.
St Joseph, for the love you bore for Jesus, grant that I may learn to love him.
St Joseph, graciously accept me as your devoted servant.
St Joseph, I give myself to you; accept my pleas and hear my prayers.
St Joseph, do not abandon me at the hour of my death.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give you my heart and my Soul.
(Recite 3 Glory be’s to the Father)
INVOCATIONS TO ST JOSEPH
I Remember O most chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, my good protector St Joseph, that never was it known that anyone who came to your protection, and sought your intercession was left unaided. Confidently, I prostrate myself before you and fervently beg for your powerful intervention. O foster-father of our dear Redeemer, despise not my petition, but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen
II Glorious St Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and virginal father of Jesus, look upon me and watch over me; lead me on the path of sanctifying grace; take heed of the urgent needs which I now beg you to envelop within the folds of your fatherly cloak. Dismiss those obstacles and difficulties standing in the way of my prayer and grant that the happy answer to my petition may serve for the greater glory of God and my eternal salvation. As a pledge of my undying gratitude, I promise to spread the word of your glory while offering thanks to the Lord for having so blessed your power and might in heaven and earth.
LITANY TO ST. JOSEPH
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 Spirit, have mercy on us
Holy Mary, Pray for us
St Joseph, Pray for us
Blessed offspring of David, Pray for us
Light of Patriarchs, pray for us
Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us
Chaste custodian of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for us
Guardian of the Son of God, pray for us
Defender of the Son of God, pray for us
Defender of Christ, pray for us
Head of the Holy Family, pray for us
O Joseph, most just, pray for us
O Joseph, most chaste, pray for us
O Joseph, most prudent, pray for us
O Joseph, most forceful, pray for us
O Joseph, most obedient, pray for us
O Joseph, most faithful, pray for us
Mirror of patience, pray for us
Lover of poverty, pray for us
Model of labourers, pray for us
Patriarch of the home, pray for us
Protector of virgins, pray for us
Strength of the family, pray for us
Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us
Hope of the sick, pray for us
Patron of the dying, pray for us
Terror of Demons, pray for us
Protector of the Church, pray for us,
Lamb of God, you who takes away the sins of the world, forgive us O Lord
Lamb of God, you who takes away the sins of the world, hear us O Lord,
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Let Us Pray
Lord Jesus, through the merits of the devoted spouse of Your most Holy Mother, help us, we beseech thee, that which we cannot obtain for ourselves, may be granted through the intercession of the Most Holy Patriarch, St Joseph. You who reign with God, the Father, in unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen
Closing Prayer of the Holy Cloak
O Glorious Patriarch St Joseph, you who were chosen by God above all men to be the earthly head of the most holy of families, I beseech you to accept me within the folds of your Holy Cloak, that you may become the guardian and custodian of my soul.
From this moment on, I choose you as my father, my protector, my counsellor, my patron and I beseech you to place in your custody my body, soul, all that I am, all that I possess, my life and my death.
Look upon me as one of your children; defend me from the treachery of my enemies, invisible or otherwise, assist me at all times in all my necessities; console me in the bitterness of my life, and especially at the hour of my death. Say but one word for me to the divine Redeemer whom you were deemed worthy to hold in your arms, and to the Blessed Virgin Mary, your most chaste spouse. Request for me those blessings which will lead me to salvation. Include me among those who are most dear to you and I shall set forth to prove myself worthy of your special patronage. Amen
Prayer to Saint Joseph
To thee do we cry in our tribulations, O Blessed Saint Joseph, as we confidently invoke your patronage, after that of your most holy spouse, the Blessed Virgin Mary.
By the sacred bond of devotion which linked you to the Immaculate Virgin, Mother Of God, and for the fatherly love you lavished on the child, Jesus, we beg you to cast a glance on those heavenly gifts which the Divine Redeemer has obtained for all mankind through his Precious Blood and through your power and mercy, help us in our needs.
O holy protector of the Holy Family, protect us children of the Lord Jesus Christ; keep far from us the errors and evils which corrupt the world; assist us from Heaven in our struggles against the powers of darkness. And as you once protected the Divine Child from the cruel edict of Herod, now defend the Church and keep it safe from all dangers and threats; spread over all of us your holy patronage so that by following your example and aided by your spiritual guidance, we may all aspire to a virtuous life, look to a holy death and secure for ourselves the blessings of eternal happiness in Heaven. Amen.
Akathist Hymn to St. Joseph
O holy and righteous Joseph! While yet on earth, you did have boldness before the Son of God, Who was well pleased to call you His father, in that you were the betrothed of His Mother, and Who was well pleased to be obedient to you. We believe that as you do dwell now in the heavenly mansions with the choirs of the righteous, you are listened to, in all that you do request from our God and Savior.
Therefore, fleeing to your protection and defense, we beg and humbly entreat you: as you, yourself, were delivered from a storm of doubting thoughts, so also deliver us that are tempest-tossed by the waves of confusion and passions; as you did shield the all-Pure Virgin from the slanders of men, so shield us from all kinds of vehement calumny; as you did keep the incarnate Lord from all harm and affliction, so also by your defense preserve His Church and all of us from all affliction and harm.
You know, O Saint of God, that even the Son of God had bodily needs in the days of His incarnation, and you did attend to them. Therefore, we beseech you: tend, yourself, to our temporal needs through your intercession, granting us every good thing, which is needful in this life (for the sake of life of the age to come).
Especially, do we entreat you to intercede that we may receive remission of our sins from Him Who was called your Son, the only-begotten Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, and be worthy of inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven, so that, abiding with you in the heavenly mansions, we may ever glorify the One God in three Persons: the † Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Consecration to St. Joseph
O dearest St. Joseph, I consecrate myself to thy honor and give myself to thee, that thou mayest always be my father, my protector, and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me a great purity of heart and a fervent love of the interior life. After thine 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! And do thou, O Blessed St. Joseph, pray for me that I may share in the peace and joy of thy holy death Amen.
Daily Novena to St. Joseph
O Saint Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires.
O Saint Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, so that having experienced here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of fathers.
O Saint Joseph, I never weary of contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Hold Him close in my name and kiss His fine head from me, and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for me. Amen.
Litany of St. Joseph
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, pray for us.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
Illustrious son of David, pray for us.
Light of patriarchs, pray for us.
Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.
Chaste guardian of the Virgin, pray for us.
Adoptive father of the Son of God, pray for us.
[3]
Watchful defender of Christ, pray for us.
Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.
Joseph most just, pray for us.
Joseph most chaste, pray for us.
Joseph most prudent, pray for us.
Joseph most valiant, pray for us.
Joseph most obedient, pray for us.
Joseph most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of patience, pray for us.
Lover of poverty, pray for us.
Model of workmen, pray for us.
Glory of home life, pray for us.
Guardian of virgins, pray for us.
Pillar of families, pray for us.
Solace of the afflicted, pray for us.
Hope of the sick, pray for us.
Patron of the dying, pray for us.
Terror of demons, pray for us.
Protector of Holy Church, pray for us.
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!
V. He made him the lord of His household,
R. And prince over all His possessions.
Let Us Pray
O God, Who in Thine ineffable Providence didst vouchsafe to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, grant, we beseech Thee, that he whom we venerate as our protector on earth may be our intercessor in Heaven. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Memorare to St. Joseph
Remember, O most pure spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, my great protector, Saint Joseph, that no one ever had recourse to your protection, or implored your aid without obtaining relief. Confiding therefore in your goodness, I come before you. Do not turn down my petitions, adoptive father of the Redeemer, but graciously receive them. Amen.
Morning Offering through St. Joseph
Receive me, dear and chosen Father, and the offering of every
movement of my body and soul, which I desire to present
through thee to my blessed Lord.
Purify all! Make all a perfect holocaust! May every pulsation
of my heart be a Spiritual Communion, every look and
thought an act of love, every action a sweet sacrifice,
every word an arrow of Divine love, every step
an advance toward Jesus, every visit to Our Lord as
pleasing to God as the errands of Angels, every thought
of thee, dear Saint, an act to remind thee that I am thy child.
I recommend to thee the occasions in which I usually fail,
particularly . . . [Mention these]. Accept each little devotion
of the day, though replete with imperfection, and offer it
to Jesus, Whose mercy will overlook all, since He
regards not so much the gift as the love of the giver.
Amen.
Prayer Before Adoration, Invoking St. Joseph
Dear Jesus, we believe that You are here, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament: that You see us, that You hear us. We adore You with profound reverence. We beg pardon for our sins and the grace to make this time of prayer fruitful.
Our Immaculate Mother, St. Joseph our Patron, our guardian angels, our patron saints, intercede for us during this time of prayer and adoration. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Prayer Before Work to St. Joseph the Worker
O Glorious Saint Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work in a spirit of penance for the expiation of my many sins; to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my natural inclinations; to work with thankfulness and joy, considering it an honor to employ and develop by means of labor the gifts received from God; to work with order, peace, moderation, and patience, never shrinking from weariness and trials; to work above all with purity of intention and detachment from self, keeping unceasingly before my eyes death and the account that I must give of time lost, talents unused, good omitted, and vain complacency in success, so fatal to the work of God.
All for Jesus, all through Mary, all after thy example, O Patriarch, Saint Joseph. Such shall be my watch-word in life and in death. Amen. (Composed by Pope St. Pius X)
A Triduo to St. Joseph by St. John Henry Newman
FIRST DAY: Consider the Glorious Titles of St. Joseph
He was the true and worthy Spouse of Mary, supplying in a visible manner the place of Mary’s Invisible Spouse, the Holy Ghost. He was a virgin, and his virginity was the faithful mirror of the virginity of Mary. He was the Cherub, placed to guard the new terrestrial Paradise from the intrusion of every foe.
V. Blessed be the name of Joseph.
R. Henceforth and forever. Amen.
Let us pray.
God, who in Thine ineffable Providence didst vouchsafe to choose Blessed Joseph to be the husband of Thy most holy Mother, grant, we beseech Thee, that we may be made worthy to receive him for our intercessor in heaven, whom on earth we venerate as our holy Protector: who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
SECOND DAY: Consider the Glorious Titles of St. Joseph
His was the title of father of the Son of God, because he was the Spouse of Mary, ever Virgin. He was our Lord’s father, because Jesus ever yielded to him the obedience of a son. He was our Lord’s father, because to him were entrusted, and by him were faithfully fulfilled, the duties of a father, in protecting Him, giving Him a home, sustaining and rearing Him, and providing Him with a trade.
V. Blessed be the name of Joseph. R. Henceforth and forever. Amen.
Let us pray. {prayer as on the First Day}
THIRD DAY:Consider the Glorious Titles of St. Joseph
He is Holy Joseph, because according to the opinion of a great number of doctors, he, as well as St. John the Baptist, was sanctified even before he was born. He is Holy Joseph, because his office, of being spouse and protector of Mary, specially demanded sanctity. He is Holy Joseph, because no other Saint but he lived in such and so long intimacy and familiarity with the source of all holiness, Jesus, God incarnate, and Mary, the holiest of creatures.
V. Blessed be the name of Joseph. R. Henceforth and forever. Amen.
“Trintena” 30-day prayer to St. Joseph for a special intention
Ever blessed and glorious Joseph, kind and loving father, and helpful friend of all in sorrow! You are the good father and protector of orphans, the defender of the defenseless, the patron of those in need and sorrow. Look kindly on my request. My sins have drawn down on me the just displeasure of my God, and so I am surrounded with unhappiness. To you, loving guardian of the Family of Nazareth, do I go for help and protection.
Listen, then, I beg you, with fatherly concern, to my earnest prayers, and obtain for me the favors I ask.
I ask it by the infinite mercy of the eternal Son of God, which moved Him to take our nature and to be born into this world of sorrow.
I ask it by the weariness and suffering you endured when you found no shelter at the inn of Bethlehem for the holy Virgin, nor a house where the Son of God could be born. Then, being everywhere refused, you had to allow the Queen of Heaven to give birth to the world’s Redeemer in a [cave.] stable used for the flock destined for sacrifice in the temple in fulfillment of God’s plan.[4]
I ask it by the loveliness and power of that sacred Name, Jesus, which you conferred on the adorable infant.
I ask it by that painful torture you felt at the prophecy of holy Simeon, which declared the Child Jesus and His holy Mother future victims of our sins and of their great love for us.
I ask it through your sorrow and pain of soul when the angel declared to you that the life of the Child Jesus was sought by His enemies. From their evil plan you had to flee with Him and His Blessed Mother to Egypt. I ask it by all the suffering, weariness, and labors of that long and dangerous journey.
I ask it by all your care to protect the Sacred Child and His Immaculate Mother during your second journey, when you were ordered to return to your own country. I ask it by your peaceful life in Nazareth where you met with so many joys and sorrows.
I ask it by your great distress when the adorable Child was lost to you and His Mother for three days. I ask it by your joy at finding Him in the Temple, and by the comfort you found at Nazareth, while living in the company of the Child Jesus. I ask it by the wonderful submission He showed in His obedience to you.
I ask it by the perfect love and conformity you showed in accepting the Divine order to depart from this life, and from the company of Jesus and Mary. I ask it by the joy which filled your soul, when the Redeemer of the world, triumphant over death and hell, entered into the possession of His kingdom and led you into it with special honors.
I ask it through Mary’s glorious Assumption, and through that endless happiness you have with her in the presence of God.
O good father! I beg you, by all your sufferings, sorrows, and joys, to hear me and obtain for me what I ask.
(make your request)
Obtain for all those who have asked my prayers everything that is useful to them in the plan of God. Finally, my dear patron and father, be with me and all who are dear to me in our last moments, that we may eternally sing the praises of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Amen. (Source: EWTN)
St. Joseph Chaplet of Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys
JOSEPH’S SEVEN SORROWS
JOSEPH’S SEVEN JOYS
1. The doubt of St. Joseph (Matt. 1:19)
1. The message of the Angel (Matt. 1:20)
2. The poverty of Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:7) (Matt. 1:19)
2. The birth of the Savior (Luke 2:10-11) (Matt. 1:20)
3. The Circumcision (Luke 2:21)
3. The Holy Name of Jesus (Matt. 1:25)
4. The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34)
4. The effects of the Redemption (Luke 2:38)
5. The flight into Egypt (Matt. 2:14)
5. The overthrow of the idols of Egypt (Is. 19:1)
6. The return from Egypt (Matt. 2:22)
6. Life with Jesus and Mary at Nazareth (Luke 2:39)
7. The loss of the Child Jesus (Luke 2:45)
7. The finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:46)
PRAYERS IN HONOR OF THE SEVEN SORROWS AND JOYS OF ST. JOSEPH
Composed by Ven. Januarius Sarnelli, C.S.S.R. (d. 1744)
First Sorrow: The doubt of St. Joseph. (Matt. 1:19)
But Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wishing to expose her to reproach, was minded to put her away privately.
First Joy: The message of the Angel. (Matt. 1:20)
But while he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Do not be afraid, Joseph, son of David, to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is begotten in her is of the Holy Spirit.
O chaste Spouse of Mary most holy, glorious St. Joseph, great was the trouble and anguish of your heart when you wert minded to put away privately your inviolate Spouse, yet your joy was unspeakable when the surpassing mystery of the Incarnation was made known to you by the Angel!
By this sorrow and this joy, we beseech you to comfort our souls, both now and in the sorrows of our final hour, with the joy of a good life and a holy death after the pattern of your own, in the arms of Jesus and Mary.
Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory be . . .
Second Sorrow: The poverty of Jesus’ birth. (Luke 2:7)
And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Second Joy: The birth of the Savior. (Luke 2:10-11)
And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which shall be to all people; for today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you, who is Christ the Lord.”
O most blessed Patriarch, glorious St. Joseph, who was chosen to be the foster father of the Word made flesh, your sorrow at seeing the Child Jesus born in such poverty was suddenly changed into heavenly exultation when you did hear the angelic hymn and beheld the glories of that resplendent night.
By this sorrow and this joy, we implore you to obtain for us the grace to pass over from life’s pathway to hear the angelic songs of praise, and to rejoice in the shining splendour of celestial glory.
Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory be . . .
Third Sorrow: The Circumcision. (Luke 2:21)
And when eight days were fulfilled for his circumcision, his name was called Jesus, the name given to him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Third Joy: The Holy Name of Jesus. (Matt. 1:25)
And he did not know her until she brought forth her first born son. And he called his name Jesus.
O glorious St. Joseph you faithfully obeyed the law of God, and your heart was pierced at the sight of the Precious Blood that was shed by the Infant Savior during His Circumcision, but the Name of Jesus gave you new life and filled you with quiet joy.
By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us the grace to be freed from all sin during life, and to die rejoicing, with the holy Name of Jesus in our hearts and on our lips.
Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory be . . .
Fourth Sorrow: The prophecy of Simeon. (Luke 2:34)
And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, “Behold this child is destined for the fall and the rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that shall be contradicted. And your own soul a sword shall pierce.
Fourth Joy: The effects of the Redemption. (Luke 2:38)
And coming up at that very hour, she began to give praise to the Lord, and spoke of him to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
O most faithful Saint who shared the mysteries of our Redemption, glorious St. Joseph, the prophecy of Simeon regarding the sufferings of Jesus and Mary caused you to shudder with mortal dread, but at the same time filled you with a blessed joy for the salvation and glorious resurrection which, he foretold, would be attained by countless souls.
By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us that we may be among the number of those who, through the merits of Jesus and the intercession of Mary the Virgin Mother, are predestined to a glorious resurrection.
Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory be . . .
Fifth Sorrow: The flight into Egypt. (Matt. 2:14)
So he arose, and took the child and his mother by night, and withdrew into Egypt.
Fifth Joy: The overthrow of the idols of Egypt. (Is. 19:1)
The burden of Egypt. Behold the Lord will ascend upon a swift cloud and will enter into Egypt, and the idols of Egypt will be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst thereof.
O most watchful Guardian of the Incarnate Son of God, glorious St. Joseph, what toil was your in supporting and waiting upon the Son of the most high God, especially in the flight into Egypt! Yet at the same time, how you did rejoice to have always near you God Himself, and to see the idols of the Egyptians fall prostrate to the ground before Him.
By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us the grace of keeping ourselves in safety from the infernal tyrant, especially by flight from dangerous occasions; may every idol of earthly affection fall from our hearts; may we be wholly employed in serving Jesus and Mary, and for them alone may we live and happily die.
Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory be . . .
Sixth Sorrow: The return from Egypt. (Matt. 2:22)
But hearing that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there; and being warned in a dream, he withdrew into the region of Galilee.
Sixth Joy: Life with Jesus and Mary at Nazareth. (Luke 2:39)
And when they had fulfilled all things prescribed in the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, into their own town of Nazareth.
O glorious St. Joseph, an angel on earth, you did marvel to see the King of Heaven obedient to your commands, but your consolation in bringing Jesus out of the land of Egypt was troubled by your fear of Archelaus; nevertheless, being assured by the Angel, you dwelt in gladness at Nazareth with Jesus and Mary.
By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us that our hearts may be delivered from harmful fears, so that we may rejoice in peace of conscience and may live in safety with Jesus and Mary and may, like you, die in their company.
Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory be . . .
Seventh Sorrow: The loss of the Child Jesus. (Luke 2:45)
And not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem in search of him
Seventh Joy: The finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple. (Luke 2:46)
And it came to pass after three days, that they found him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
O glorious St. Joseph, pattern of all holiness, when you did lose, through no fault of your own, the Child Jesus, you sought Him sorrowing for the space of three days, until with great joy you did find Him again in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors.
By this sorrow and this joy, we supplicate you, with our hearts upon our lips, to keep us from ever having the misfortune to lose Jesus through mortal sin; but if this supreme misfortune should befall us, grant that we may seek Him with unceasing sorrow until we find Him again, ready to show us His great mercy, especially at the hour of death; so that we may pass over to enjoy His presence in Heaven; and there, in company with you, may we sing the praises of His Divine mercy forever.
Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory be . . .
Antiphon: And Jesus Himself was beginning about the age of thirty years, being (as it was supposed) the Son of Joseph.
V. Pray for us, O holy Joseph.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let Us Pray.
O God, Who in Your ineffable Providence did vouchsafe to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Your most holy Mother, grant, we beseech You, that he whom we venerate as our protector on earth may be our intercessor in Heaven. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Prayers to Angels and Saints
Prayers to Angels
Guardian Angel Prayer
O Angel of God, my guardian dear
To whom God's love commits thee here
Ever this day be at my side
To light and guard to rule and guide.
From sinful stain, oh keep me free, and in death’s hour, my helper be. Amen
Prayer to St. Raphael
O Heavenly Physician and most Faithful Companion, Saint Raphael, who restored vision to the elder Tobit, conducted the young Tobias every step of his journey and preserved him unharmed; be pleased to hear my petition: Guide my children safely through this life to the Kingdom of Heaven. O, Saint Raphael, be a doctor to their bodies and souls, cast away all shadows of ignorance, and assist them constantly in the perilous journey of this life, until you lead them to our Heavenly Home, where, as one of the elect, they may forever contemplate the Divine Countenance with you. Amen
(Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be)
Pray for us, O glorious St. Raphael, that they may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray: O God, who assigned blessed Raphael, the archangel, to be a companion on the road to your servant Tobias, grant to your servants that they may be guarded by the protection of the same angel and be enforced by his assistance. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen
St. Michael Chaplet nvocation: O God, come to my assistance! O Lord make haste to help me! (Glory be)
By the intercession of St. Michael and the heavenly Choir of Seraphim, may it please God to make us worthy to receive into our hearts the fire of his perfect charity. Amen. (Our Father, 3 Hail Marys)
By the intercession of St. Michael and the heavenly Choir of Cherubim, may God in his good pleasure, grant us grace to abandon the ways of sin, and follow the path of Christian perfection. Amen. (Our Father, 3 Hail Marys) St. Michael, pray for us. Our Father…
By the intercession of St. Michael and the heavenly Choir of Thrones, may it please God to infuse into our hearts the spirit of true and sincere humility. Amen. (Our Father and 3 Hail Marys)
By the intercession of St. Michael and the heavenly Choir of the Dominions, may it please God to grant us grace to have dominion over our senses, and to correct our depraved passions. Amen. (Our Father, 3 Hail Marys) St. Gabriel, pray for us. Our Father…
By the intercession of St. Michael and the heavenly Choir of the Powers, may God vouchsafe to keep our souls from the wiles and temptations of the devil. Amen. (Our Father, 3 Hail Marys)
By the intercession of St. Michael and the heavenly Choir of the Virtues, may it please God to keep us from falling into temptation, and may He deliver us from evil. Amen. (Our Father, 3 Hail Marys) St. Raphael, pray for us. Our Father…
By the intercession of St. Michael and the heavenly Choir of Principalities, may it please God to fill our souls with the spirit of true and sincere obedience. Amen. (Our Father, 3 Hail Marys)
By the intercession of St. Michael and the heavenly Choir of Archangels, may it please God to grant us the gift of perseverance in the faith, and in all good works, that we may be thereby enabled to attain the glory of paradise. Amen. (Our Father, 3 Hail Marys) Guardian Angels, pray for us. Our Father…
By the intercession of St. Michael and the heavenly Choir of all the Angels, may God vouchsafe to grant us their guardianship through this mortal life, and after death a happy entrance into the everlasting glory of heaven. Amen. (Our Father, 3 Hail Marys)
Anthem: Michael, glorious prince, chief and champion of the heavenly Host, guardian of the souls of men, conqueror of the rebel angels, steward of the palace of God under Jesus Christ, our worthy leader, endowed with superhuman excellence and virtues: vouchsafe to free us all from every ill, who with full confidence have recourse to you; and by your incomparable protection enable us to make progress every day in the faithful service of our God.
V. Pray for us, most blessed Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ.
R. That we may be made worthy of his promises.
Prayer: Almighty and Eternal God, who in your own marvelous goodness and pity did, for the common salvation of man, choose the glorious Archangel Michael to be the prince of the Church: make us worthy, we pray You, to be delivered by his beneficent protection from all our enemies, that, at the hour of our death, none of them may approach to harm us; rather do You vouchsafe unto us that by the same Archangel Michael, we may be introduced into the presence of your most high and divine majesty. Through the merits of the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
St. Michael the Archangel
St Michael the Archangel defend us in battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray and do you prince of the heavenly host by the power of God thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits that prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Litany of St. Michael the Archangel
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us. (repeat after each line)
God, the Son, the Redeemer of the world,
God, the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, one God,
Holy Mary, Queen of Angels, pray for us. (repeat after each line)
Saint Michael,
Saint Michael, abundant font of divine wisdom,
Saint Michael, most perfect adorer of the Divine Word,
Saint Michael, whom God crowned with honor and glory,
Saint Michael, most powerful Prince of the heavenly host,
Saint Michael, standard-bearer of the Most Holy Trinity,
Saint Michael, guardian of Paradise,
Saint Michael, guide and consoler of the People of God,
Saint Michael, splendor and fortitude of the Church Militant,
Saint Michael, honor and joy of the Church Triumphant,
Saint Michael, light of the Angels,
Saint Michael, protection of orthodox people,
Saint Michael, strength of those who fight under the standard of the Cross,
Saint Michael, light and hope of souls near death,
Saint Michael, our most sure aid,
Saint Michael, help in our adversities,
Saint Michael, herald of the everlasting judgment,
Saint Michael, consoler of souls languishing in purgatory,
Saint Michael, receiver of the souls of the elect after death,
Saint Michael, our prince,
Saint Michael, our defender,
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
Pray for us Saint Michael the Archangel.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
O Lord Jesus Christ, may your continual blessing sanctify us, and grant us through the intercession of Saint Michael the wisdom that teaches us to lay up our treasure in Heaven and choose eternal goods over those of this world. Thou, who lives and reigns forever. Amen
Prayers to Saints
Prayers to St. Theresa
Little Flower
Little Theresa of the Child Jesus please pick for me a rose from the heavenly garden and send it to me as a message of love. Help me to believe as you did in God’s great love for me and help me to imitate your little way each day. Almighty God has raised you up to aid and inspire the human family. I implore your miraculous intercession. You are so powerful in obtaining every need of body and spirit from the heart of God that Holy Mother church has proclaimed you the greatest saint of modern times. O little Theresa ask God to grant the favors I place with confidence in your hands.
Please grant my petition: That my family members … may have an informed conscience and the goodness to always do the right thing, the strength, fortitude, and charity to love steadfastly, and the knowledge, understanding, and wisdom to know that everything good comes from God, and to walk humbly beside Him. Little Theresa fulfill your promise of spending heaven doing good on the earth and letting fall from heaven a shower of roses. Give me your child like faith to see the face of God in the people and experiences of my life, to love God with full confidence, and to lead others to Jesus through you.
Little Flower Novena Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of your faithful. Enkindle in us the fire of your divine love. Send forth your Spirit and we will be created, and you will renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: Oh God who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant by the light of the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation, through Christ our Lord. Amen. You oh lord will open our hearts and our tongue will announce your praise. Incline to our aid oh God Oh Lord make haste to help me. (Glory be) Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love: O 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. The Act of Contrition: O my God! I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
First Day: St. Thérèse, privileged Little Flower of Jesus and Mary, I approach you with childlike confidence and deep humility. I lay before you my desires and beg that through your intercession they may be realized. Did you not promise to spend your heaven doing good upon earth? Grant me according to this promise the favors I am asking from you. Intercede for us all the days of our life, but specially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen. Thought for the day: Confidence in God. We can never have too much confidence in the good God who is so powerful and so merciful. We obtain from Him as much as we hope for. If you are nothing, do you forget that Jesus is everything? You have only to lose your nothingness in His Infinity and think only of loving Him. Concluding Prayer
Second Day : O dear little Saint, now that you see the crucified Jesus in heaven, still bearing the wounds caused by sin, you know still more clearly than you did upon earth the value of souls, and the priceless worth of that Precious Blood which He shed to save them. As I am one of those children for whom Christ died, obtain for me all the graces I need in order to profit by that Precious Blood. Use your great power with our divine Lord and pray for me. Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen. Thought for the day: Sin. The only grace I ask, O Jesus, is never to offend You. By love and not by fear, does a soul avoid committing the least fault. Yes, even if I have on my conscience every possible crime, I should lose none of my confidence; my heart breaking with sorrow, I should go and throw myself into the arms of my Savior. The remembrance of my faults humbles me and makes me afraid to rely on my own strength, which is nothing but weakness. Concluding Prayer
Third Day the trees of the forest, the beauties of the earth so full of color and so glorious, may they speak to me of the love and power of God; may they all sing His praises in my ear. Like you may I daily love Him more and more in return for His gifts. Teach me often to deny myself in my dealings with others, that I may offer to Jesus many little sacrifices. Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen. Thought for the day The Use of God’s Gifts. How much benefit have I received from the beauties of nature, bestowed in such abundance. How they raise me to him who placed such wonders in this land of exile which is only to last a day. O sparkling nature, if I did not see God in you, you would be naught but a great tomb. With your little hand which caresses Mary, you sustain the universe and bestow life; and You think of me, O Jesus my little King. I do not wish creatures to have one atom of my love. I wish to give all to Jesus, since He has shown me that He alone is perfect happiness.
Concluding Prayer
Fourth Day : Dear Little Flower of Carmel, bearing so patiently the disappointments and delays allowed by God, and preserving in the depths of your soul an unchanging peace because you sought only God’s will, ask for me complete conformity to that adorable “Will” in all the trials and disappointments of life. If the favors I am asking during this Novena are pleasing to God, obtain them for me. If not, it is true I shall feel the refusal keenly, but I too wish only God’s will, and pray in the words you used, that his will "may ever be perfectly fulfilled in me." Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen. Thought for the day: Abandonment to God. I fear only one thing---to keep my own will; take it, my God, for I choose all that You choose. The only happiness here below is to strive to be always content with what Jesus gives us. I can demand nothing with fervor, except the perfect accomplishment of God’s will in my soul. O my Beloved, I offer myself to You, that You may perfectly accomplish in me your holy designs, and I will not allow anything created to be an obstacle in their path. Concluding Prayer
Fifth Day : Little Flower of Jesus, from the very first moment of your religious life you Thought only of denying yourself in all things so as to follow Jesus more perfectly; help me to bear patiently the trials of my daily life. Teach me to make use of the trials, the sufferings, the humiliations, that come my way, to learn to know myself better and to love God more. Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen. Thought for the day: Patience in Sufferings. I do not fear trials sent by Jesus, for even in the most bitter suffering we can see that it is his loving hand which causes it. When we are expecting nothing but suffering, we are quite surprised at the least joy; but then suffering itself becomes the greatest of joys when we seek it as a precious treasure. Far from resembling those beautiful saints who practiced all sorts of austerities from childhood, my penance consisted in breaking my self-will, in keeping back a sharp reply, in doing little kindnesses to those about me but considering these deeds as nothing. Concluding Prayer
Sixth Day St. Thérèse, Patroness of the Missions, be a great missionary throughout the world to the end of time. Remind our Master of His own words, "The harvest is great, but the laborers are few." Your zeal for souls was so great, obtain a like zeal for those now working for souls, and beg God to multiply their numbers, that the millions to whom Jesus is yet unknown may be brought to know, love and follow Him. Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen. Thought for the day: Zeal for souls. Let us work together for the salvation of souls. We have only the days of this life to save souls and to give them to the Lord as proofs of our love. I tell Jesus that I am glad not to be able to see, with the eyes of my soul, this beautiful heaven which awaits me, in order that He may vouchsafe to open it forever to poor unbelievers. I cannot perform brilliant works; I cannot preach the Gospel or shed my blood. But what matter? My brothers work in place of me, and I a little child, keep very close to the royal throne. I love those who are carrying on the warfare. My deeds, my little sufferings, can make God loved all over the world. Concluding Prayer
Seventh Day : O little martyr of Love, you know now even better than in the days of your pilgrimage that Love embraces all vocations; that it is Love alone which counts, which unites us perfectly to God and conforms our will with His. All you sought on earth was love; to love Jesus as He had never yet been loved. Use your power in heaven to make us love Him. If only we love Him we shall desire to make Him loved by others; we shall pray much for souls. We shall no longer fear death, for it will unite us to Him forever. Obtain for us the grace to do all for the love of God, to give Him pleasure, to love Him so well that He may be pleased with us as He was with you. Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen. Thought for the day: Love of God. I will love God alone and will not have the misfortune of attaching myself to creatures, now that my heart perceives what He has in store for those who love Him. What attracts me to the kingdom of Heaven is the call of our Lord, the hope of loving Him as I have so desired and the thought that I shall be able to make Him loved by a great number of souls who will bless Him forever. When Christ said, "Give Me a Drink," it was the love of His poor creatures that He, the Creator of all things, desired. He thirsted for love. Remember that the dear Jesus is there in the tabernacle expressly for you, for you alone. Remember that He is consumed with a desire to come into your heart. Concluding Prayer
Eighth Day : Dear St. Thérèse, like you I have to die one day. I beseech you, obtain from God, by reminding Him of your own precious death, that I may have a holy death, strengthened by the Sacraments of the Church, entirely resigned to the most holy Will of God, and burning with love for Him. May my last words on earth be, "My God. I love You." Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen. Thought for the day: Death. It says in the catechism that death is nothing but the separation of the soul and body. Well, I have no fear of a separation which will unite me forever with the good God. I am happy to die because I shall be able to help souls who are dear to me, far more than I can here below. Life is not sad; it is very joyous. If you say, "This exile is sad," I understand you. We are wrong to give the name "life" to something which will end; it is only to the things of Heaven that we should apply this beautiful name. Concluding Prayer
Nineth Day : Dear Little St. Thérèse, by love and suffering while you were on earth, you won the power with God which you now enjoy in heaven. Since your life there began, you have showered down countless blessings on this poor world; you have been an instrument made use of by your divine Spouse to work countless miracles. I beg of you to remember all my wants. Sufferings must come to me also, may I use them to love God more, and follow my Jesus better. You are especially the little missionary of love. Make me love Jesus more, and all others for His sake. With all my heart, I thank the most Holy Trinity for the wonderful blessings conferred on you, and upon the world through you. Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen. Thought for the day: The Mission of the Little Flower. I do not intend to remain inactive in Heaven. I want to work for the Church and for souls. I have asked this of God and I am certain that He will grant my request. I will spend my Heaven doing good upon earth. This is not impossible, since the angels though always enjoying the beatific vision, watch over us. No, I cannot be at rest until the end of the world. I beseech You, O Jesus, to cast your divine glance on a great number of little souls.
I beg of You to choose in this world a legion of little victims, worthy of your Love.
Concluding Prayer: O Lord, You have said: Unless you become as little children you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven; grant us, we beg You, so to follow, in humility and simplicity of heart, the footsteps of the Virgin blessed Thérèse, that we may attain to an everlasting reward. Amen.
Little Flower Prayer for My Family
Oh, Jesus full of grace and charity so impelled by your love for us, you glorified in heaven and on earth your servant of God St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina who generously participated in your suffering, loved you so much, labored so faithfully for the glory of your heavenly father and the good of souls grant me the grace of a happy marriage. (name couples.) Gracious God you generously blessed your servant Padre Pio with the gifts of the spirit, through the intersession of this great saint help us to imitate his example of prayerful holiness, patient faithfulness, and loving compassion. (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory, Angel of God)
Prayers to St. Jude
Prayer to St. Jude
Saint Jude, holy Saint Jude, glorious apostle and martyr, faithful servant, great in virtue, rich in miracles, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need, near kinsman and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor has caused you to be forgotten by many. But the Church honors and invokes you universally as the patron of difficult and desperate cases. Pray for me who am so miserable. To you I have recourse from the depths of my heart and humbly beg you to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Make use, I implore you, of that particular privilege accorded to you to bring visible and speedy help where help was almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations and sufferings, particularly — (here make your request) — and that I may bless God with you and all the elect throughout all eternity. (Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be: 3 times.) I promise you, O blessed St. Jude to be ever mindful of this great favor, and I will never cease to honor you as my special and powerful patron and do all in my power to encourage devotion to you. Amen. Saint Jude, pray for us and for all who honor you and invoke your aid.
Prayers to St. Padre Pio
Prayer to St. Padre Pio for a Happy Marriage
Oh, Jesus full of grace and charity so impelled by your love for us, you glorified in heaven and on earth your servant of God St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina who generously participated in your suffering, loved you so much, labored so faithfully for the glory of your heavenly father and the good of souls grant me the grace of a happy marriage. (name couples.) Gracious God you generously blessed your servant Padre Pio with the gifts of the spirit, through the intersession of this great saint help us to imitate his example of prayerful holiness, patient faithfulness, and loving compassion. (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory, Angel of God)
Prayer to Padre Pio in time of Need
Holy saint Padre Pio: You said: "Everybody can say Padre Pio is mine", and I am humbly praying to you as a father. You said: "After my death I will be able to do much more", and I'm begging you to make use of your power. You said: "God is compassionate and will listen to your request", and I'm imploring you to join my petition. You said: "If you need anything send me your guardian angel and you will have an answer right away", and I'm sending now to you my guardian angel asking you to intercede with the Lord for the grace of (state your petition) I thank you for your intercession through Jesus and Mary. (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory, Angel of God)
Day 1 – St. Rita Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, in your infinite tenderness you have been pleased to regard the prayer of your servant Rita, and to grant to her supplication that which is impossible to human foresight, skill, and effort, as rewards for her compassionate love and firm reliance on your promises. Have pity on us in times of adversities and comfort us in our calamities, that even the unbelievers may know that you are the recompense of the humble, the defense of the helpless, and the strength of those who trust in you. Grant this in the Name of Jesus the Lord. Amen (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be)
Day 2 – St. Rita Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, in your infinite tenderness you have been pleased to regard the prayer of your servant Rita, and to grant to her supplication that which is impossible to human foresight, skill, and effort, as rewards for her compassionate love and firm reliance on your promises. Have pity on us in times of adversities and comfort us in our calamities, that even the unbelievers may know that you are the recompense of the humble, the defense of the helpless, and the strength of those who trust in you. Grant this in the Name of Jesus the Lord. Amen (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be)
Day 3 – St. Rita Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, in your infinite tenderness you have been pleased to regard the prayer of your servant Rita, and to grant to her supplication that which is impossible to human foresight, skill, and effort, as rewards for her compassionate love and firm reliance on your promises. Have pity on us in times of adversities and comfort us in our calamities, that even the unbelievers may know that you are the recompense of the humble, the defense of the helpless, and the strength of those who trust in you. Grant this in the Name of Jesus the Lord.
Amen (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be)
Day 4 – St. Rita Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, in your infinite tenderness you have been pleased to regard the prayer of your servant Rita, and to grant to her supplication that which is impossible to human foresight, skill, and effort, as rewards for her compassionate love and firm reliance on your promises. Have pity on us in times of adversities and comfort us in our calamities, that even the unbelievers may know that you are the recompense of the humble, the defense of the helpless, and the strength of those who trust in you. Grant this in the Name of Jesus the Lord. Amen (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be)
Day 5 – St. Rita Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, in your infinite tenderness you have been pleased to regard the prayer of your servant Rita, and to grant to her supplication that which is impossible to human foresight, skill, and effort, as rewards for her compassionate love and firm reliance on your promises. Have pity on us in times of adversities and comfort us in our calamities, that even the unbelievers may know that you are the recompense of the humble, the defense of the helpless, and the strength of those who trust in you. Grant this in the Name of Jesus the Lord. Amen (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be)
Day 6 – St. Rita Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, in your infinite tenderness you have been pleased to regard the prayer of your servant Rita, and to grant to her supplication that which is impossible to human foresight, skill, and effort, as rewards for her compassionate love and firm reliance on your promises. Have pity on us in times of adversities and comfort us in our calamities, that even the unbelievers may know that you are the recompense of the humble, the defense of the helpless, and the strength of those who trust in you. Grant this in the Name of Jesus the Lord. Amen (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be)
Day 7 – St. Rita Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, in your infinite tenderness you have been pleased to regard the prayer of your servant Rita, and to grant to her supplication that which is impossible to human foresight, skill, and effort, as rewards for her compassionate love and firm reliance on your promises. Have pity on us in times of adversities and comfort us in our calamities, that even the unbelievers may know that you are the recompense of the humble, the defense of the helpless, and the strength of those who trust in you. Grant this in the Name of Jesus the Lord. Amen (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be)
Day 8 – St. Rita Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, in your infinite tenderness you have been pleased to regard the prayer of your servant Rita, and to grant to her supplication that which is impossible to human foresight, skill, and effort, as rewards for her compassionate love and firm reliance on your promises. Have pity on us in times of adversities and comfort us in our calamities, that even the unbelievers may know that you are the recompense of the humble, the defense of the helpless, and the strength of those who trust in you. Grant this in the Name of Jesus the Lord. Amen (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be)
Day 9 – St. Rita Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, in your infinite tenderness you have been pleased to regard the prayer of your servant Rita, and to grant to her supplication that which is impossible to human foresight, skill, and effort, as rewards for her compassionate love and firm reliance on your promises. Have pity on us in times of adversities and comfort us in our calamities, that even the unbelievers may know that you are the recompense of the humble, the defense of the helpless, and the strength of those who trust in you. Grant this in the Name of Jesus the Lord. Amen (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be)
FOOTNOTES:
[1] The order of the prayers has been revised to reflect the actual sequence of events described in the Gospels
[2] The promises associated with keeping the Novena for 12 years are as follows:
The soul who prays them will suffer no Purgatory.
The soul who prays them will be accepted among the Martyrs as though he had spilled his blood for his faith.
The soul who prays them can choose three others whom Jesus will then keep in a state of grace sufficient to become holy.
No one in the four successive generations of the soul who prays them will be lost.
The soul who prays them will be made conscious of his death one month in advance.
** If the soul praying these prayers dies before the entire 12 years of prayers have been completed, the Lord will accept them as having been prayed in their entirety, because the intention of the soul was to complete them as directed. If a day or a few days are missed due to a valid reason, they can be made up for later, at the soul's earliest opportunity.
[3] St. Joseph adopted Jesus as instructed by the Angel when he told him to name Mary's child "Jesus". Naming was an adoptive act.
[4] The reason Jesus was born in a stable and not in the home of one of Joseph's relatives is because Jesus was born on the feasr of Tabernacles during which no one lived in a home but lived instead in a Sukkah, a tent with a thatched roof, just as the Jews did during the Exodus. It says in scripture that Jesus was born in a stable and a stable qualifies as a sukkah only it it has a thatched roof which a cave does not. Jesus' birth fulfills the Jewish feast of Tabernacles which celebrates God's physical presence with the Jews during the Exodus in the pilar of fire and cloud.
