Prayers and Devotions

 

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Psalms 121:1-2 

Prayers to the Holy Spirit

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of thy faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created, and Thou shall renew the face of the earth. Let us pray. O God, Who didst instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us by the same Spirit; to have a right judgment in all things, and ever rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

 Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

O Lord Jesus Christ, Who, before ascending into heaven, did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples – deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me, to perfect in my soul the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom – that I may not be attached to the perishable things of this world, but 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.
The Spirit of Fear – that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may avoid anything that may displease Him.
Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples, and animate me in all things with Your Spirit.  Amen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy (This is the simple chaplet, not the Novena)


Using  normal rosary beads, begin with:

The Our Father..., Hail Mary..., The Creed.

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

On the five large beads:
Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

On the ten small beads:
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

At the end of the Chaplet say three times: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

In the Apparition of Our Lady of Revelations, 1947, the Blessed Mother said, “I am the one who is of the Divine Trinity, Daughter of the Father, Mother of the Son, and Spouse and Temple of the Holy Spirit. She then added, “Pray much, and recite the rosary for the conversion of sinners, unbelievers, and of all Christians.”

How to pray the Rosary:

The Joyful Mysteries are said Mondays & Saturdays: The Annunciation, The Visitation, The Birth of Jesus, The Presentation,  The Finding in the Temple.

The Luminous Mysteries are said on Thursdays: The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan, The Wedding Feast at Cana, The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God, The Transfiguration, The Institution of the Eucharist.

Sorrowful Mysteries are said on Tuesdays & Fridays: The Agony in the Garden, The Scourging, The Crowning with Thorns, The Carrying of the Cross, The Crucifixion.

Glorious Mysteries are said on Sundays & Wednesdays: The Resurrection, The Ascension into Heaven, The Descent of the Holy Spirit, The Assumption of the Blessed Mother, The Coronation.

1. Make the sign of the cross with the crucifix, and say the "Apostle's Creed".

2. On the large bead say the "Our Father".

3. On the three small beads say the "Hail Mary" (one for Faith, one for Hope, and one for Charity) then say the "Glory Be".

4. On the next large bead Meditate on the 1st Mystery, saying the “Our Father”, then on each of the ten beads say a “Hail Mary”, then the “Glory Be” and the “O My Jesus”.

5. Continue to the next decade and meditate on the 2nd Mystery, saying the “Our Father”, ten “Hail Marys”, the “Glory Be” and the “O My Jesus”.

6. Repeat  step #5,  Meditating on each Mystery until you have said five decades.

7. Conclude with the “Hail Holy Queen”, the “Let Us Pray”, and the “O My Jesus”.

Rosary Prayers:

The Apostle's Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.

The Our Father:
Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

The Hail Mary:
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

The Glory Be:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The O My Jesus:
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls into heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.

The Hail, Holy Queen:
Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile show onto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, 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 life. Grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Offering of Holy Communion as Viaticum

My God, if I am to die today or suddenly at any time I wish to receive Holy Communion as my Viaticum. I desire that my last food my be the Body and Blood of my Savior and Redeemer; my last words; Jesus, Mary and Joseph; my last affection, an act of pure love of God and of perfect contrition for my sins; my last consolation to die in Thy Holy Grace and in Thy Holy Love.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
 Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray: and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through out the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

 

 

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prayer of Saint Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy 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; and 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.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I wake, I am still with Thee. Psalm 139: 17-18

 

The Morning Offering
O my God, in union with the Immaculate Heart of Mary (here kiss your Scapular as a sign of your consecration; partial indulgence also), I offer Thee the Precious Blood of Jesus from all the altars throughout the world, joining with It the offering of my every thought, word and action of this day. O my Jesus, I desire today to gain every indulgence and merit I can and I offer them together with myself, to Mary Immaculate, that she may best apply them in the interest of Thy most Sacred Heart. Precious Blood of Jesus, save us! Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us! Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 
 
 
Prayer to Saint Joseph: (9 consecutive days)
 
O St. 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 St. 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 engaged here below your Heavenly power I may offer my Thanksgiving and homage to the Loving of Fathers. O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press him in my name and kiss His fine head for me, and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for us. Amen.
 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Prayer for the Home

We Beseech Thee, O Lord, visit this home, and drive far from it all the snares of the enemy:  let Thy holy Angels dwell therein so as to preserve us in peace; and let Thy blessing be always upon us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Prayer for a Family

O dear Jesus, I humbly implore You to grant Your special graces to our family.  May our home be the shrine of peace, purity, love, labor and faith. I beg You, dear Jesus, to protect and bless all of us, absent and present, living and dead. O Mary, loving Mother of Jesus, and our Mother, pray to Jesus for our family, for all the families of the world, to guard the cradle of the newborn, the schools of the young and their vocations. Blessed Saint Joseph, holy guardian of Jesus and Mary, assist us by your prayers in all the necessities of life.  Ask of Jesus that special grace which He granted to you, to watch over our home at the pillow of the sick and the dying, so that with Mary and with you, heaven may find our family unbroken in the Sacred Heart of Jesus......Amen.

 

Prayer for Motherhood

O glorious Saint Gerard, powerful intercessor before God, and wonder worker of our day, I call upon you and seek your help.
You who always fulfilled God's will on earth, help me to do God's holy will. Intercede with the Giver of life, from whom all parenthood proceeds, that I (she) may conceive and raise children who will please God in this life, and be heirs to the kingdom of heaven.  Amen.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Prayers for the Faithful Departed

“The Holy Souls are eager for the prayers of the faithful which can gain indulgences for them. Their intercession is powerful. Pray unceasingly. We must empty Purgatory!"   Saint Padre Pio

"It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins.  2 Mac 12:46

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation, 21:4


Prayer of St. Gertrude, The Great. Dictated by Our Lord to Release 1,000 Souls from Purgatory each time it is said.
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy 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, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.

The Passion Prayer
Oh Immense Passion, Oh Profound Wounds, Oh Sweetness Above All Sweetness, Oh Profusion of Blood, Oh Most Bitter Death, Give the Souls in Purgatory, Especially .........., Eternal Rest.  Amen.

The King of Glory
O Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory, deliver the souls of all the faithful departed from the pains of hell and from the bottomless pit; deliver them from the lion’s mouth, that hell swallow them not up, that they fall not into darkness, but let the holy standard-bearer Michael bring them into that holy light which Thou didst promise unto Abraham and his seed. Amen.

Gentlest Heart of Jesus
O Gentlest Heart of Jesus, ever present in the Blessed Sacrament, ever consumed with burning love for the poor captive souls in Purgatory, have mercy on the soul of thy departed servant.  Be not severe in thy judgment but let some drops of thy precious blood fall upon the devouring flames, and do Thou O merciful Savior send thy angels to conduct Thy departed servant to a place of refreshment, light and peace.  Amen.

Resurrection Prayer
Most merciful Father, we commend our departed into your hands.  We are filled with the sure hope that our departed will rise again on the last day with all who have died in Christ.  We thank you for all the good things you have given during our departed’s earthly life. O Father, in your great mercy, accept our prayer that the Gates of Paradise may be opened for your servant.  In our turn, may we too be comforted by the words of faith until we greet Christ in glory and are united with you and our departed. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Eternal Rest
Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon them.  May they rest in peace.
May their souls, and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.  Amen.

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Prayer for one who is Sick

O God, who did bestow on St. Gerard the power of healing all kinds of infirmities, help me in this illness, and restore me good health, so I may continue to love you and serve all those I meet each day.   Amen.

 

Prayer in time of Suffering  

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

 

Prayer for Freedom from Addiction 

Lord Jesus, you said, "I have come to set the captives free."  We are captive and need your healing touch. Free us, Lord, from our addictions, so that we will be:...free from the cares and worries that stifle our happiness:.....free from the sins that cling to us, and to which we cling:.....free from all compulsive behavior that prevents us from becoming what you, Lord, have planned for us.  Bring us, loving Savior, to the experience of abundant life which you promised.........Amen.

 

Prayer in Honor of Saint Dymphna (mental and nervous disorders)

Lord, our God, you graciously chose St. Dymphna as patroness of those afflicted with mental and nervous disorders.  She is thus an inspiration and a symbol of charity to the thousands who ask her intercession.Please grant, Lord, through the prayers of this pure youthful martyr, relief and consolation to all suffering such trials, and especially those for whom we pray. (Here mention those for whom you wish to pray.)We beg you, Lord, to hear the prayers of St. Dymphna on our behalf.  Grant all those for whom we pray patience in their sufferings and resignation to Your divine will.  Please fill them with hope, and grant them the relief and cure they so much desire. We ask this through Christ our Lord who suffered agony in the garden.......Amen.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prayer for Vocations  

Send forth Your Spirit, Lord, into the hearts of your faithful people, that we may be conscious of our vocation to holiness and service to others.  Grant that many of us may dedicate ourselves to You through the priesthood, religious life and the lay ministries.We pray especially for the needs of our own parish and diocese.  Grant that we may always have sufficient good and holy priests, dedicated Sisters and committed lay ministers to serve our communities. We pray too for religious, and especially for the Redemptorists; that generous men may join them to become zealous missionaries in preaching the Gospel in word or action, especially to the poor and abandoned. We make this prayer through Jesus Christ Our Lord and Redeemer.....Amen.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------