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Sunday, December 30, 2012

Image: Holy Family Print


Image: Jesus Behold Your Mother Print


Image: Lord's Prayer Print


Image: Jesus Christ Prayer Print


Image: Hear The Good News Print


Image: Birth Of Jesus Print


PRAYER FOR GOD'S HELP IN DAILY ACTIONS


Our Father, may everything I do begin with Your Inspiration, 
continue with Your Help, 
and reach perfection under Your Guidance. 
With Your loving care guide me in my daily actions. 
Help me to persevere with love and sincerity. 
Teach me to judge wisely the things of earth 
and to love the things of Heaven. 
Keep me in Your presence 
and never let me be separated from You. 
Your Spirit made me Your child, 
confident to call You Father. 
Make Your Love the foundation of my life. 
Teach me to long for Heaven. 
May its promise and hope guide my way on earth 
until I reach eternal life with You. 


NINE ELEVATIONS TO THE SACRED HEART

1. Heart of Jesus,
perfect Adorer of God,
teach me to adore the Father
with Thee and by Thee.

2. Heart of Jesus,
burning with love of me,
inflame me with Thy Divine Love.

3. Heart of Jesus,
only Victim worthy of God,
unite me to Thy Divine Sacrifice.

4. Heart of Jesus,
overwhelmed with bitterness for the sins of men,
break my heart with sorrow for my sins.

5. Heart of Jesus,
sovereignly humble,
annihilate my pride.

6. Heart of Jesus,
perfect model of meekness,
inspire my heart with this salutary virtue.

7. Heart of Jesus, 
infinitely pure and without stain,
give me an inviolable purity of body, mind, and heart.

8. Heart of Jesus,
consumed with zeal for the glory of the Father,
enkindle in my heart an ardent zeal for Thy glory
and my own sanctification.

9. Heart of Jesus,
reign for ever in my heart,
and grant me the grace to reign one day
with Thee in Heaven.



Pray the Christmas Novena with St. Jude



I encourage you to send your petitions to be delivered to altar of St. Jude at the National Shrine during the Christmas Novena of Masses. We will remember your special intentions during these nine Masses and offer them for St. Jude’s intercession.

If you have a friend who would like to celebrate the Christmas Novena of Masses, please forward this message to spread the hope and blessings of the devotion to St. Jude.
May God bless you this holy day and always. Merry Christmas!

DAY 1 — Tuesday, December 25th
Today we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior as we begin the first of nine days of the Christmas Novena of Masses. St. Jude listens to our prayers and offers new hope when we become weary.
Intention to St. Jude
St. Jude, I enter the Christmas Novena of Masses seeking your intercession. May my daily prayers bring hope, healing, and answers for my special intentions.

Prayer to St. Jude
Most holy apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally as the patron of hope.

Please intercede on my behalf. Make use of that particular privilege given to you to bring hope, comfort, and help where they are needed most. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven as I work with my challenges, particularly (here make your request).

I praise God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen.


DAY 2 — Wednesday, December 26th
On this second day of the Christmas Novena of Masses, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family as we come together in prayer with a special intention to St. Jude.
Intention to St. Jude
St. Jude, friend of the Holy Family, watch over the Church. Grant all of its daughters and sons the blessings of faith, hope, and charity. May the love of the Holy Family be with us always.

Prayer to St. Jude
Most holy apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally as the patron of hope.

Please intercede on my behalf. Make use of that particular privilege given to you to bring hope, comfort, and help where they are needed most. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven as I work with my challenges, particularly (here make your request).

I praise God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen.


DAY 3 — Thursday, December 27th
On this third day of the Christmas Novena of Masses, we offer our intentions to St. Jude.
Intention to St. Jude
St. Jude, I pray that those who face family struggles may know the comfort of God and the support of the Holy Family.

Prayer to St. Jude
Most holy apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally as the patron of hope.

Please intercede on my behalf. Make use of that particular privilege given to you to bring hope, comfort, and help where they are needed most. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven as I work with my challenges, particularly (here make your request).

I praise God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen.


DAY 4 — Friday, December 28th
Today we begin the fourth day of the Christmas Novena of Masses with prayer.
Intention to St. Jude
St. Jude, I pray that the sick may receive the care and comfort they need. May they experience your healing touch and may those who care for them be filled with your love.

Prayer to St. Jude
Most holy apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally as the patron of hope.

Please intercede on my behalf. Make use of that particular privilege given to you to bring hope, comfort, and help where they are needed most. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven as I work with my challenges, particularly (here make your request).

I praise God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen.


DAY 5 — Saturday, December 29th
Today, as we begin the fifth day of the Christmas Novena of Masses, we remember all those for whom we have promised to pray.
Intention to St. Jude
St. Jude, pray for those who come to you in faith. Intercede on our behalf as we place our deepest needs in your hands.

Prayer to St. Jude
Most holy apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally as the patron of hope.

Please intercede on my behalf. Make use of that particular privilege given to you to bring hope, comfort, and help where they are needed most. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven as I work with my challenges, particularly (here make your request).

I praise God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen.


DAY 6 — Sunday, December 30th
On this sixth day of the Christmas Novena of Masses, we offer our prayers together. Today we pray for all those who feel alone this Christmas.
Intention to St. Jude
St. Jude, I pray that all those who feel alone and in need may know the saving presence of God and the support of family and friends. With you as our ally, we are truly never alone.

Prayer to St. Jude
Most holy apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally as the patron of hope.

Please intercede on my behalf. Make use of that particular privilege given to you to bring hope, comfort, and help where they are needed most. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven as I work with my challenges, particularly (here make your request).

I praise God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen.


DAY 7 — Monday, December 31st
On this New Year’s Eve we reflect on the blessings of the past year as we begin the seventh day of the Christmas Novena of Masses.
Intention to St. Jude
St. Jude, as this year draws to a close, we come to God in thanksgiving. We thank Him for the gift of the past year, and for all that we were able to accomplish during it. We entrust to Him our hope for a new year full of blessings.

Prayer to St. Jude
Most holy apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally as the patron of hope.

Please intercede on my behalf. Make use of that particular privilege given to you to bring hope, comfort, and help where they are needed most. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven as I work with my challenges, particularly (here make your request).

I praise God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen.


DAY 8 — Tuesday, January 1st
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, as we begin the eighth day of the Christmas Novena of Masses to St. Jude.
Intention to St. Jude
St. Jude, you who loved Mary and cared for her after her Son’s death, bless my heart with true love and deep devotion to the Blessed Mother during this month of January.

Prayer to St. Jude
Most holy apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally as the patron of hope.

Please intercede on my behalf. Make use of that particular privilege given to you to bring hope, comfort, and help where they are needed most. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven as I work with my challenges, particularly (here make your request).

I praise God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen.


DAY 9 — Wednesday, January 2nd
Today we begin the ninth and final day of the Christmas Novena of Masses with a special intention and prayer to St. Jude. We are so grateful for this time to offer our petitions to our powerful patron.
Intention to St. Jude
St. Jude, you are always with me in my faith journey. May your path of hope be mine in the new year ahead. On this final day of the Christmas Novena of Masses, give me the strength to be patient as I grow in faith and the courage to follow Christ wherever He leads. Prayer to St. Jude
Most holy apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally as the patron of hope.

Please intercede on my behalf. Make use of that particular privilege given to you to bring hope, comfort, and help where they are needed most. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven as I work with my challenges, particularly (here make your request).

I praise God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen.



A PRAYER TO THE SACRED HEART FOR THOSE IN PURGATORY

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, 
remembering the promise of the Resurrection, 
I humbly and sincerely offer these prayers and Masses for 
(Mention your intentions here...)
and all the departed. 
With joy, I thank You 
for what we shared in this earthly life. 
With hope, I pray this offering 
will help them on their journey 
to the fullness of life 
and happiness with You in Heaven. 
Purify them from all that is not holy 
so they may dwell in the mystery 
of Your perfect love forever. 
With blessed anticipation, 
I look forward to the coming age, 
when, with Your grace, 
I shall be united with them again in Paradise.

Say 1 of each prayer...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

May the souls of the faithfully departed, 
through the mercy of God, 
rest in peace. 

Amen.





Prayer To Mary As A Personal Patron

Holy Mary, my patron,
I ask you to pray for me to Jesus your son.
Through your constant prayers,
may God continue to guide my paths
and help me to follow Jesus in love.

Holy Mary,
pray for me
and for all the people of God.

Amen.


PRAYER TO OUR LADY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS


Mary, powerful Virgin, 
You are the mighty 
and glorious protector of the Church. 
You are the marvelous help of Christians. 
You are awe inspiring as an army in battle array. 
In the midst of our anguish, 
struggle, and distress, 
defend us from the power of the enemy, 
and at the hour of hour death, 
receive our soul in Heaven.


New Years Prayer #4


Dear Lord,
We pray that this New Year will bring us closer to You.
May we take the time to get to know You.
Help us to truly celebrate the gifts You have graciously given us
and use them to serve You and spread Your word,

May we also see and love you in all the people we meet,
so that in turn, they can see You in us.

We know that all human relations take time 
if they are to grow and deepen. 
This is also true of our relations with You, 
the Father and the Holy Spirit, 
which must grow over the course of our lives. 
In this new year, 
let us realise that every action of ours 
no matter how great or small 
enables us to be in touch with You.
Let us accept You in our lives, 
in the way it pleases You,
as Truth, to be spoken,
as Life, to be lived,
as Light, to be lighted,
as Love, to be followed,
as Joy, to be given,
as Peace, to be spread about,
as Sacrifice, to be offered among our relatives, 
friends, neighbours and all people.

Amen.


New Years Prayer #3


Almighty God,
As we are on the brink of a brand New Year, 
we thank you for all the blessings you have given us this year.

Father, please forgive us for all that we have done, 
that we should not have done, 
for the things we should have done and did not. 
Please wipe our hearts clean 
and make us pure again and free in You.

We ask that in the New Year 
you will Guide us in our Choices and Decision Making 
so that we will choose wisely 
with the Help of Your Holy Spirit. 
Help us to acknowledge you in everything we do 
and then we will succeed in our Plans.

Help us to Delight ourselves in you 
and you will give us the Desires of our Heart!

Help us to Love, show compassion 
and help others as your Son did.

We thank you for the Gift of Jesus 
and for His life given for our Eternal Salvation and Freedom.

We ask all in the Saviour's Name! 

Amen.


New Years Prayer #2


God our Father, 
on this Feast of Mary, the Mother of God 
give us an appreciation of the many gift 
You have given us during the past year. 
Help us bless You in return during the coming year 
by sharing some of our gifts with others who have far, 
far less than we do.

Amen.


New Years Prayer


Almighty and eternal God, 
You have, through Jesus Christ, 
revealed Your glory to all nations. 
We pray You to preserve the works of Your mercy, 
that Your Church, 
being spread through the whole world, 
may continue with unchanging faith in the confession of Your name. 

We pray You, who alone are good and holy, 
to endow with heavenly knowledge, 
sincere zeal, 
and sanctity of life our Chief Bishop, 
Pope John Paul II, the vicar of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
in the government of His Church; 
our own Archbishop and Bishop; 
all other bishops, prelates, and pastors of the Church; 
and especially those who are appointed to exercise among us 
the functions of the holy ministry 
and conduct Your people into the ways of salvation. 

We pray You, O God of might, wisdom, and justice, 
through whom authority is rightly administered, 
laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, 
to assist with Your holy spirit of counsel and fortitude 
the President of the United States, 
that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, 
and be eminently useful to Your people over whom he presides; 
by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion, 
by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy, 
and by restraining vice and immorality. 

Counsel and sound judgment are mine; 
I have understanding and power. 
By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just; 
by me princes govern, 
and all nobles who rule on earth. 

[PROVERBS 8:14-16]
Let the light of Your divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, 
and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws 
framed for our rule and government, 
so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, 
the promotion of national happiness, 
the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge, 
and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty. 

We pray for his Excellency, the Governor Of this state, 
for the members of the Assembly, 
for all judges, magistrates, and other officers 
who are appointed to guard our political welfare, 
that they may be enabled, by Your powerful protection, 
to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability. 

We recommend likewise to Your unbounded mercy 
all our brethren and fellow citizens throughout the United States, 
that they may be blessed in the knowledge 
and sanctified in the observance of Your most holy law; 
that they may be preserved in union, 
and in that peace which the world cannot give; 
and after enjoying the blessings of this life, 
be admitted to those which are eternal.

Amen.



Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Christmas Prayer #5

God of love, Father of all, 
the darkness that covered the earth 
has given way to the bright dawn of your Word made flesh. 
Make us a people of this light. 
Make us faithful to your Word, 
that we may bring your life to the waiting world. 
Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.



Christmas Prayer #4

Lord God, we praise you for creating man, 
and still more for restoring him in Christ. 
Your Son shared our weakness; 
may we share his glory, 
for he lives and reigns with you 
and the Holy Spirit, 
one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.



Christmas Prayer #3

Lord, in this holy season of prayer, song and laughter, 
we praise you for the great wonders you have sent us: 
for shining star and angel's song, 
for infant's cry in lowly manger. 
We praise you for the Word made flesh in a little Child. 
We behold his glory, 
and are bathed in its radiance. 

Be with us as we sing the ironies of Christmas, 
the incomprehensible comprehended, 
the poetry made hard fact, 
the helpless Babe who cracks the world asunder. 
We kneel before you shepherds, 
innkeepers, wisemen. 
Help us to rise bigger than we are. 

Amen.



Christmas Prayer #2


Lord our God,
the heavens are the work of your hands,
the moon and the stars you made;
the earth and the sea, 
and every living creature came into being by your word. 
And all of us, too.
May this tree bring cheer to this house
though Jesus Christ your good and holy Son,
who brings life and beauty to us and to our world.
Lighting this tree, we hope in his promise.

Amen.


Christmas Prayer #1


Moonless darkness stands between.
Past, the Past, no more be seen!
But the Bethlehem star may lead me
To the sight of Him Who freed me
From the self that I have been.
Make me pure, Lord: Thou art Holy;
Make me meek, Lord: Thou wert lowly;
Now beginning, and always,
Now begin, on Christmas day.

(By Gerard Manley Hopkins, 1844-1889.)




A Christmas Day Prayer

Praise to You, Lord God!

You have become one of us.
You have become a human being, 
while still retaining all your power and holiness as God!

You, O Lord, made the journey of the unborn child. 
By being an embryo, a fetus, and a newborn, 
you joined all unborn and newborn children to you!

From the beginning of history, O Lord, 
You were the Creator of every human life. 
Now, with Christmas, 
You join Yourself in an unthinkable way with the life You created.

Let this Christmas, O God, 
fill all of us with awe and wonder 
at how close human life is to You. 
Cleanse the world of all that tarnishes 
and rejects this gift. 
Purify our hearts of all that fears this gift.

Let our Christmas joy be the joy of welcoming every human life! 

Amen!



Merry Christmas

Have a blessed and happy Christmas and a Joyous New year from daily Catholic Devotions.


Sunday, December 23, 2012

Prayer of Confidence to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Oh Lord Jesus Christ, to Your most Sacred Heart I confide this intention {name petition}.

Only look upon me, then do what Your love inspires. Let Your Sacred Heart decide. I count on You. I trust in You. I throw myself on Your mercy. Lord Jesus, You will not fail me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in You.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Your love for me.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, Your kingdom come.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked You for many favors, but I earnestly implore this one. Take it, place it in Your open Heart. When the Eternal Father looks upon it, He will see it covered with Your Precious Blood. It will be no longer my prayer, but Yours, Jesus. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You. Let me not be disappointed. Amen.


Jesus I Trust In You

Prayer to St. Anthony

Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints.

St. Anthony, gentlest of Saints, your love for God and charity for his creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on your word, which you were ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I ask you to obtain for me the favors that I seek 

(mention your request here). 

The answer to my prayer may require a miracle, even so, you are the Saint of Miracles.
O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was full of sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the Infant Jesus, who loved to be held in your arms; and the gratitude of my heart will ever by yours.  Amen.




Prayer to St. Joseph

St. Joseph is waiting to here from you, especially if he is your Patron Saint. St. Joseph interceded on my behalf many times and has answered numerous prayers and requests. He can do the same for you ...

O Glorious St. Joseph, thou who hast power to render possible even things which are considered impossible, come to our aid in our present trouble and distress. Take this important and difficult affair under thy particular protection, that it may end happily. (mention your request)
O dear St. Joseph, all our confidence is in thee. Let it not be said that we would invoke thee in vain; and since thou art so powerful with Jesus and Mary, show that thy goodness equals thy power. Amen.
St. Joseph, friend of the Sacred Heart, pray for us.



The Prayer to St Jude

O most holy apostle, Saint Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes thee universally, as the patron of hopeless cases, and of things almost despaired of.
Pray for me, who am so miserable. Make use, I implore thee, of that particular privilege accorded to thee, to bring visible and speedy help where help was almost despaired of.
Come to mine assistance in this great need, that I may receive the consolation and succor of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly...
(here make your request)
And that I may praise God with thee and all the elect throughout eternity. 
I promise thee, O blessed Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor thee as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to thee. 
Amen.

St. Jude has continued to intercede on my behalf and has answered many requests and I humbly and gratefully give thanks and praise and say his name aloud so that others may invoke his name for their own special intentions and prayers. We pray for them also.


Prayer To Saint Anne

(To obtain some special favor)
Glorious St. Anne, filled with compassion for those who invoke you and with love for those who suffer, heavily laden with the weight of my troubles, I cast myself at your feet and humbly beg of you to take the present affair which I recommend to you under your special protection.

Vouchsafe to recommend it to your daughter, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and lay it before the throne of Jesus, so that He may bring it to a happy issue. Cease not to intercede for me until my request is granted.

(Here ask for favor you wish to obtain.)

Above all, obtain for me the grace of one day beholding my God face to face, and with You and Mary and all the saints, praising and blessing Him through all eternity. Amen.
Good St. Anne, mother of her who is our life, our sweetness and our hope, pray to her for us and obtain our request. (Three times).


St. Anne has continued to intercede on my behalf and has answered many requests and I humbly and gratefully give thanks and praise and say her name aloud so that others may invoke her name for their own special intentions and prayers. We pray for them also.

Prayers To Saint Anne

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Christmas Manger Prayer


Christmas Manger Prayer
O God,
whose mighty Son was born in Bethlehem
those days long ago,
lead us to that same poor place,
where Mary laid her tiny Child.
And as we look on in wonder and praise,
make us welcome him in all new life,
see him in the poor,
and care for his handiwork
the earth, the sky and the sea.
O God, bless us again in your great love.
We pray for this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.




A Christmas Creed

I believe in Jesus Christ and in the beauty of the gospel begun in Bethlehem.
I believe in the one whose spirit glorified a little town; and whose spirit still brings music to persons all over the world, in towns both large and small.

I believe in the one for whom the crowded inn could find no room, and I confess that my heart still sometimes wants to exclude Christ from my life today.
I believe in the one who the rulers of the earth ignored and the proud could never understand; whose life was among common people, whose welcome came from persons of hungry hearts.
I believe in the one who proclaimed the love of God to be invincible:
I believe in the one whose cradle was a mother's arms, whose modest home in Nazareth had love for its only wealth, who looked at persons and made them see what God's love saw in them, who by love brought sinners back to purity, and lifted human weakness up to meet the strength of God.
I confess my ever-lasting need of God: The need of forgiveness for our selfishness and greed, the need of new life for empty souls, the need of love for hearts grown cold.
I believe in God who gives us the best of himself.
I believe in Jesus, the son of the living
God, born in Bethlehem this night, for me and for the world.



A CHRISTMAS TIME PRAYER FOR COUNTRY LIVING


Lord Jesus Christ, when, 
on a winter's night I look up through the clear air at the stars, 
I can be very close to You 
and to Your native Bethlehem. 
It was at night that You first came to this earth. 
It was under the same stars that now gleam in this night sky 
that Mary first held You in her arms. 
It was by the faint light of these stars 
still shining tonight that the shepherds found their way to the stable, 
and discovered You, 
as the angels had said they would, 
lying in a manger. 
Dear Christ, 
it is especially at Christmas time 
that I see and understand how close You are 
to those who live on the land. 
We have so many reminders of You! 
The stars and moon at night and the sun by day,
the same stars under which You were born; 
the same moon that shone that night on Bethlehem; 
the same sun that brightened Your first days on earth. 
The stable, and the farm animals 
that shared their quarters and their warmth with You, their creator. 
The sheep and the shepherds that came to adore You, 
rough men, but good, truthful, honest, and sincere. 
O Jesus, Son of the everlasting God, 
You are so wonderfully made one of us at Christmas time! 
You are our God, 
but You are our Brother, too. 
You are our King, 
but You come as a helpless little baby, 
longing for our love. 
Help us today and always to see You 
in all those with whom we come in contact. 
Let us never forget Your own instruction, 
that whatever we do for the least of those around us, 
we do for You. 
Help us always to serve You in the generous, 
selfless spirit of this season, 
and we shall then be real Christians, 
more and more like You, other Christs.

Amen.



CHRISTMAS ANTICIPATION PRAYER


Hail and blessed be the hour and moment
in which the Son of God was born 
of the most pure Virgin Mary, 
at midnight, 
in Bethlehem, 
in the piercing cold. 
In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, 
to hear my prayer and grant my desires,

[State your intention(s) here...]

through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, 
and of His blessed Mother.

Amen.

(Beginning on St. Andrew the Apostle's feast day, November 30th, the following prayer 
is traditionally prayed 15 times a day until Christmas. This is a very meditative prayer 
that helps us increase our awareness of the real focus of Christmas and helps us prepare 
ourselves spiritually for His coming.)


PRAYERS FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY # 1


Eternal Father,
we praise you for sending your Son
to be one of us and to save us.
Look upon your people with mercy,
for we are divided in so many ways,
and give us the Spirit of Jesus to make us one in love.

We ask this gift, loving Father,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.


A UNIVERSAL PRAYER FOR ALL THINGS NECESSARY TO SALVATION

My God, I believe in Thee;
do Thou strengthen my faith.
All my hopes are in Thee;
do Thou secure them.
I love Thee with my whole heart;
teach me to love Thee daily more and more.
I am sorry that I have offended Thee;
do Thou increase my sorrow.

I adore Thee as my first beginning.
I aspire after Thee as my last end.
I give Thee thanks as my constant Benefactor.
I call upon Thee as my sovereign Protector.
Vouchsafe, 
O my God,
to conduct me by Thy wisdom,
to restrain me by Thy justice,
to conform me by Thy mercy,
and to defend me by Thy power.

To Thee I desire to consecrate all my thoughts,
words, actions, and sufferings;
that henceforward I may think of Thee,
speak of Thee,
willingly refer all my actions to Thy greater glory,
and suffer willingly whatever Thou shalt appoint.

Lord, I desire that in all things Thy will may be done;
because it is Thy will,
and in the manner that Thou willest.

I beg of Thee to enlighten my understanding,
to inflame my will,
to purify my body,
and to sanctify my soul.

Give me strength, O my God,
to expiate my offences,
to overcome temptations,
to subdue my passions,
and to acquire the virtues proper for my state.

Fill my heart with tender affection for Thy goodness,
hatred for my faults,
love for my neighbour,
and contempt of the world.

May Thy grace help me to be submissive to my superiors,
condescending to my inferiors,
faithful to my friends,
and charitable to my enemies.

Assist me to overcome sensuality by mortification,
avarice by alms-deeds,
anger by meekness,
and tepidity by devotion.

O my God, make my prudent in my undertakings,
courageous in dangers,
patient in afflictions, 
and humble in prosperity.
Grant that I may be ever attentive at my prayers,
temperate at my meals,
diligent in my employments,
and constant in my resolutions.

Let my conscience be ever upright and pure,
my exterior modest,
my conversation edifying,
and my conduct steady.

Assist me, that I may continually labour to overcome nature,
to correspond with Thy grace,
to keep Thy commandments,
and to work out my salvation.

Discover to me, O my God,
the nothingness of this world,
the greatness of heaven,
the shortness of time,
and the length of eternity.

Grant that I may prepare for death,
that I may fear Thy judgments,
that I may escape hell,
and in the end, obtain heaven;
through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.



Monday, December 10, 2012

Prayer For All Animals

Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends the animals, especially for animals who are suffering; for animals that are overworked, underfed and cruelly treated; for all wistful creatures in captivity that beat their wings against bars; for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry; for all that must be put death. We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity, and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words. Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals, and so to share the blessings of the merciful.