Fundamental Prayers
This prayer is accompanied by touching – with the right hand – the forehead, then the bottom of the sternum, the left shoulder, and finally the right shoulder.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who devoutly sign themselves with the sign of the cross, while saying the customary words.
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 Ghost, 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 will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who piously recite the Apostles’ Creed or the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed.
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.
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.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins;
save us from the fires of hell;
lead all souls to heaven,
especially those in most need of Thy mercy. Amen.
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 unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!
Partial indulgence.
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, 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 Thee, my God, Who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who recite devoutly, according to any legitimate formula, the acts of the theological virtues (faith, hope, charity) and of contrition. Each act is indulgenced.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful; O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.
Partial indulgence.
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray: and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan, and all evil spirits, who prowl about the world, seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Angel of God, my guardian dear,
To whom God’s love commits me here,
Ever this day, be at my side,
To light and guard, to rule and guide.
Amen.
Partial indulgence.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul,
And the souls of all the faithful departed,
Rest in peace. Amen.
Partial indulgence, applicable only to the souls in Purgatory.
Daily Prayers
A plan of life, sometimes called norms of piety, is a structured schedule that provides a framework for a healthy, balanced life. It should include a consistent rising time, a routine of daily prayers, work, exercise, recreation, and time with loved ones. The plan should not be immutable, but should make provision for the normal exigencies of life.
In developing a plan of life, take care to avoid cluttering the day with too many devotionals. As is often said, it is better to engage in fewer pious exercises well, than in many poorly. You will know that you have taken on too much if you begin to rush through prayers just to get them done, on account of the other legitimate demands of your station in life. Be mindful of the dangers of sloth and aridity, however, which can sometimes be confused with genuinely taking on too much.
It is probably best to have a goal in mind when working towards your plan, and implementing it incrementally. You are not looking to build Rome in a day, but to establish good, sustainable habits. Decide what habits are most necessary and, perhaps, easiest to acquire. Once they become well-established, move on to the next.
One of the benefits of a regular prayer life is the gradual increase in a spirit of recollection. This is the habitual acknowledgement of the presence of God, directing all things to his glory. By means of recollection, we can truly begin to pray always (cf. Lk 21:36, 1 Thes 5:17, Eph 6:18). For more instruction on the spirit of recollection, we have a sermon series available on the Sermons & Lectures page.
There are three great pillars in the spiritual life that are of enormous benefit to those in every state of life. These are: mental prayer, spiritual reading, and the Holy Rosary. More details about each can be found further down in this Daily Prayers section.
Here is an example of a good plan of life:
- Rise
- Morning Offering (which may include the Acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity)
- Mental Prayer
- Spiritual Communion
- Breakfast, with the Angelus
- Work, with lunch and the Angelus
- Dinner, with the Angelus
- Family Rosary
- Recreation
- Spiritual Reading
- Night Prayer (which may include the Examination of Conscience and Prayer for Purity)
- Sleep
This could be adjusted according to the requirements of your other duties. Those with more time might spend longer than otherwise in mental prayer and spiritual reading, might perhaps say fifteen decades of the Holy Rosary (in place of the usual five), or might incorporate some hours of the Divine Office or even daily Mass, if possible. Other devotional prayers could be added, either on a daily or more occasional basis, being mindful – as suggested above – not to crowd out more essential prayers.
In addition to a good, daily schedule, it is helpful to maintain certain practices on a weekly or monthly basis. For example, having a set day every month to make a devotional confession is a praiseworthy and salutary custom. Even if you are not able to make daily Mass on a regular basis, it is good to consider assisting at Mass on First Fridays and Saturdays (see below, in the section Prayers after Mass, for more details), or on some other days where it would be possible and reasonable.
Spiritual reading is a regular nourishment of the soul. Many authors compare its neglect to starving of the body. By spiritual reading, you will establish and renew high ideals, discover many inspirations, and educate yourself on the faith and the interior life. “There is nothing more to the purpose for exciting a spirit of prayer,” writes St. Francis de Sales, “than the reading of spiritual books.”
The content of spiritual reading is diverse: the Sacred Scriptures, with commentaries on the same, as well as works on the virtues, the ascetic-mystical life, prayer, the saints, the sacred liturgy, dogma (e.g. the Holy Trinity or Incarnation), and more.
You may usually have greater confidence of the worth of any particular spiritual book based on its age. This is not to say that everything old is good, nor that everything new is bad. However, books written long ago that remain in publication have – at minimum – stood the test of time; newer works by definition cannot have had the opportunity to do so. The ease of modern publishing also permits many books to see the light of day that would have been better consigned to darkness, for any number of reasons. Therefore, newer works warrant more caution and scrutiny than their older counterparts.
Ideally, you should aim for about ten to fifteen minutes of spiritual reading per day. However, it is much more important to do some reading, even if very little, rather than none at all. If you are struggling, make the resolution even to read a single page every day. Often that one page will lead to others in one sitting.
It is generally more important to read something of interest to you, and to remain faithful to it daily, than to agonize over finding the “perfect” book for your circumstances and character. If you live near a well-curated Catholic bookstore, it can be helpful to browse through various titles in person. You can also consult with Catholic family and friends for recommendations.
That being said, there are some books that are frequently recommended, especially for those just looking to get started. Included among them are:
On the Sacred Scriptures
- Ignatius Bible (RSV-CE, 2nd edition)
- Douay-Rheims Bible
- To Know Christ Jesus, Frank Sheed
- The Passion and Death of Jesus Christ, St. Alphonsus Liguori
- The Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Bishop Alban Goodier
- Catena Aurea, St. Thomas Aquinas
- Many of the faithful find the works of Dr. John Bergsma, Dr. Scott Hahn, and Dr. Brant Pitre to be helpful.
On the Spiritual Life
- The Imitation of Christ, Thomas à Kempis
- An Introduction to the Devout Life, St. Francis de Sales
- Treatise on the Love of God, St. Francis de Sales
- Divine Initimacy, Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, OCD
- Uniformity with God’s Will, St. Alphonsus de Liguori
- The Practice of the Love of Jesus Christ, St. Alphonsus de Liguori
- The Way of Salvation and Perfection, St. Alphonsus de Liguori
- Humility of Heart, Fr. Gaetano M. da Bergamo
- Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence, St. Claude de la Colombiere
- Abandonment to Divine Providence, Fr. Jean-Pierre de Caussade
- Practice of the Presence of God, Br. Lawrence
- A Sinner’s Guide, Ven. Luis de Granada
- The Spiritual Combat, Dom Lorenzo Scupoli
- The Interior Castle, St. Teresa of Avila
- The Three Ages of the Interior Life, Fr. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange
- I Believe in Love, Fr. Jean d’Elbée
- The Seven Capital Sins, Benedictine Convent of Clyde
- Searching for and Maintaining Peace, Fr. Jacques Philippe
- This Tremendous Lover, Fr. Eugene Boylan
On the Sacred Liturgy
- Daily Missal, we suggest the St. Andrew Daily Missal or the Fr. Lasance Missal
- The Liturgical Year, Dom Prosper Gueranger, OSB
- Treasure and Tradition: The Ultimate Guide to the Latin Mass, Lisa Bergman
- The Mass and the Saints, Fr. Thomas Crean, OP
- The Latin Mass Explained, Msgr. George Moorman
- The Incredible Catholic Mass, Fr. Martin von Cochem
- The Hidden Treasure, St. Leonard of Port Maurice
- Know your Mass, Fr. Demetrius Manousos (a good resource for children)
Prayer Books
- The Psalms are excellent daily prayers, especially following the order of the Divine Office. Commentaries from good authors (e.g. St. Augustine, St. Robert Bellarmine) are extremely helpful.
- The Way of the Cross (there are several good versions)
- Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- My Daily Bread
- Pieta Prayer Book
- Blessed be God
- Jesus, Make Me Worthy (for children)
On the Faith
- My Catholic Faith, Bishop Louis LaRavoire Morrow
- Credo: Compendium of the Catholic Faith, Bishop Athanasius Schneider
- Shorter Summa, St. Thomas Aquinas
- The Catechism Explained, Fr. Francis Spirago
- This is the Faith, Canon Francis Ripley
- Faith of the Early Fathers, Fr. William Jurgens
- Theology for Beginners, Frank Sheed
- A Key to the Doctrine of the Eucharist, Dom Anscar Vonier
On the Saints
- True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Louis Marie de Montfort
- The Cure d’Ars, Fr. Francis Trochu
- St. Catherine of Siena, Sigrid Undset
- St. Edmund Campion, Evelyn Waugh
- The Confessions, St. Augustine
- Story of a Soul, St. Therese of Lisieux
- The Life of St. Anthony, St. Athanasius
- St. Thomas Aquinas & St. Francis of Assisi, G.K. Chesterton
- Modern Saints: Their Lives and Faces, Ann Ball
Many Catholic books are available free online. Likewise, a great number of them are on sale at our parish bookstore. Finally, some of our parishioners are involved in building a “digital cathedral” of the works of the Fathers of the Church over at Eternal Christendom. Of course, there are many other places to find Catholic resources online.
Taken from Fr. Francis Xavier Lasance’s My Prayer Book, an excellent collection of Catholic prayers. Fr. Lasance (1860 – 1946) was a priest of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, serving in active ministry for seven years before a health crisis forced him into a semi-retired state. Providentially, this allowed him to focus his attention on writing, eventually producing thirty-nine different volumes on the Catholic faith and spiritual life. He is probably best known for his hand Missal, which continues to be used by the faithful to this day and stands near the St. Andrew’s Missal as one of the best English-Latin hand Missals in publication. Note, some slight adjustments, such as section titles, have been made to the following text to make it easier to follow. Furthermore, a paragraph on the indulgence associated with mental prayer has been excised as it is out of date. The current indulgence in force is given at the end of this section.
Psalm 38:4
Introduction
Make at least a short meditation every day. Mental prayer is a more appropriate and comprehensive term for that spiritual exercise which is so highly praised and commended by the saints and so conducive to holiness and perfection.
Mental prayer is within the reach of all who earnestly desire their salvation. Father Wilberforce says: “In order to pray with fruit and without distraction it is most useful and almost necessary to spend some time in meditation or pious reflection on some supernatural truth, and from this fact the whole exercise is often called meditation instead of mental prayer.”
“In mental prayer meditation (the exercise of the intellect) is only a means to the end, which is the elevation of the soul to God — conversation with God. When thinking and reflecting the soul speaks to itself, reasons with itself; in prayer that follows it speaks to God.” It is plain that mental prayer or meditation is something more than mere spiritual reading.
But we can easily turn our spiritual reading into a meditation, as, for instance, when we read only a few lines at a time from The Following of Christ; then meditate, reflect, consider our own conduct in connection with the subject treated, make devout acts and pious resolutions, and finally pray to God for His grace that we may conquer our wicked inclinations, practise some particular virtue, and lead a holy life. After this we can read a few more lines; then meditate again.
Bishop Challoner in his translation of The Following of Christ or The Imitation of Christ, as this golden book is sometimes called, has added some excellent practical reflections at the end of each chapter.
“Meditation,” as Madame Cecilia says in her admirable work, At the Feet of Jesus, “consists in occupying ourselves mentally and prayerfully with some mystery of the Faith. We call to mind the chief facts, ponder over them, and then stir up our will to regulate our conduct in consequence. Hence meditation is an exercise of the faculties of our soul — memory, understanding, and will.”
“Meditation, as a part of mental prayer” says St. Francis of Sales, “is an attentive thought voluntarily repeated or entertained in the mind to excite the will to holy and salutary affections and resolutions.” It differs from mere study in its object. We study to improve our minds and to store up information; we meditate to move the will to pray and to embrace what is good. We study that we may know; we meditate that we may pray.
“In mental prayer,” says St. Alphonsus, “meditation is the needle, which only passes through that it may draw after it the golden thread, which is composed of affections, resolutions, and petitions.”
As soon as you feel an impulse to pray while meditating, give way to it at once in the best way you can, by devout acts and petitions; in other words, begin your conversation with God on the subject about which you have been thinking.
The Assistance of Holy Books
In order to help the mind in this pious exercise we must have some definite subject of thought upon which it is well to read either a text of Holy Scripture or a few lines out of some other holy book; for instance: The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, The Imitation of Christ, The Spiritual Combat; Challoner’s Think Well On It; St. Alphonsus Liguori’s Devout Reflections, or The Way of Salvation, The Love of Christ, and The Blessed Eucharist; St. Francis of Sales’ Introduction to a Devout Life, Meditations for Retreats, and other works; Bishop Hedley’s Retreat; Cochem’s Meditations on the Four Last Things; Baxter’s Meditations for Every Day in the Year; or any one of the popular books of meditation used by Religious, such as Hamon’s, De Brandt’s, Segneri’s, Vercruysse’s, and Ilg’s Meditations on the Life and Passion of Our Lord. Father Gallwey’s Watches of the Passion and Da Bergamo’s Thoughts and Affections on the Passion are worthy of the highest commendation.
St. Alphonsus says: “It is good to meditate upon the last things — death, judgment, eternity — but let us above all meditate upon the Passion of Christ.” This saint, the great “Doctor of Prayer,” has given us a beautiful work on The Passion.
St. Teresa tells us that in her meditations she helped herself with a book for seventeen years. By reading the points of a meditation from a book, the mind is rendered attentive and is set on a train of thought. Further to help the mind you can ask yourself some such questions as the following: What does this mean? What lesson does it teach me? What has been my conduct regarding this matter? What have I done, what shall I do, and how shall I do it? What particular virtue must I practise? But do not forget to pray.
Do not imagine, moreover, that it is necessary to wait for a great fire to flame up in your soul, but cherish the little spark that you have got. Above all, never give way to the mistaken notion that you must restrain yourself from prayer in order to go through all the thoughts suggested by your book, or because your prayer does not appear to have a close connection with the subject of your meditation. This would simply be to turn from God to your own thoughts or to those of some other man.
Pious Acts Produced by Mental Prayer
To meditate means in general nothing else than to reflect seriously on some subject. Meditation, as mental prayer, is a serious reflection on some religious truth or event, with reference and application to ourselves, in order thereby to excite in us certain pious sentiments, such as contrition, humility, faith, hope, charity, etc., and to move our will to form good resolutions conformable to these pious sentiments. Such an exercise has naturally a beneficial influence on our soul and greatly conduces to enlighten our mind and to move our will to practise virtue. Meditation is a great means to salvation. It aids as powerfully in the pursuit of our destiny, to know God, to love Him, to serve Him that we may be happy with Him forever; it helps us to know ourselves and to discover the means of avoiding and correcting our vices, our faults, and weaknesses; it reveals to us the dangers to which our salvation is exposed and leads us to pray with a contrite and humble heart for the necessary graces to cope with temptations, to control our passions, and to lead a holy life. Mental prayer inflames our hearts with the love of God and strengthens us to do His holy will with zeal and perseverance.
Where to Engage in Mental Prayer
As regards the place of meditation, St. Alphonsus says: “We can meditate in every place, at home or elsewhere, even in walking and at our work. How many are there who, not having any better opportunity, raise their hearts to God and apply their minds to mental prayer, without leaving their occupations, their work, or who meditate even while traveling. He who seeks God will find Him, everywhere and at all times. The most appropriate place for meditation, however, is the church, in the presence of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.”
“Not a few pious persons,” says Father Girardey in his Popular Instructions on Prayer, “before setting out for their daily occupations, go to Mass in the early hours of the morning, make their meditation during the Holy Sacrifice, and thus draw on themselves the divine blessing for the whole day.”
Time Reserved for Mental Prayer
Father Girardey continues, “As regards the time of meditation, it would be well if we were to make a meditation both in the morning and in the evening. If this is not feasible, we should, if convenient, prefer the morning to any other part of the day. The reason is because in the morning we are fresh in mind and have as yet hardly any cause for distractions, while later in the day we are apt to be more or less absorbed by our occupations and other worldly matters. Moreover, by a good meditation in the morning we begin the day well, drawing down God’s blessing on us, and deriving grace and strength to avoid sin and fulfil our obligations. When we make our meditation in the morning, we ought to prepare its subject on the previous night before retiring to rest, and make thereon some brief reflections before falling asleep, and also after rising in the morning. We ought, moreover, to recall our meditation to mind from time to time during the day, recommending our resolution to the Blessed Virgin by a Hail Mary.
“We should endeavor to spend at least a quarter of an hour daily in mental prayer. The saints used daily to spend many hours therein; and when they had much to do they would subtract some hours from the time allotted to their sleep, in order to devote them to this holy exercise. If we cannot spend in it half an hour every day, let us at least devote to it a quarter of an hour. The longer and the more fervent our mental prayer, the more we shall like it, and we shall learn by our own experience the truth of the saying of the Royal Prophet: Taste and see that the Lord is sweet (Psalm 33:9).”
Petitions & Resolutions
Father Girardey writes further, “As to our petitions and resolutions, in mental prayer it is very profitable, and perhaps more useful than any other act, to address repeated petitions to God, asking with great humility and unbounded confidence for His graces — such as His light, resignation in adversity, patience, perseverance, etc., but, above all, for the inestimable gift of His holy love. ‘By obtaining divine love,’ says St. Francis of Sales, ‘we obtain all graces;’ ‘For,’ says St. Alphonsus, ‘he who truly loves God with all his heart will, of himself, abstain from causing Him the least displeasure, and will strive to please Him to the best of his ability.’ If we feel dry or despondent and unable to meditate or pray well, let us repeat many times as earnestly as possible: My Jesus, mercy! Lord, for Thy mercy’s sake, assist me! My God, I love Thee!
“Let us offer all our petitions for grace in the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ, and we shall surely obtain all that we ask. ‘Mental prayer,’ said a holy soul, ‘is the breathing of the soul, as in corporal breathing the air is first inhaled and then exhaled, so in mental prayer the soul first receives light and other graces from God, and then by acts of self-offering and love, it gives itself wholly to Him.'”
Preparation & Conclusion
Fr. Girardey closes with, “Before concluding the meditation, we should make some specified good resolution, appropriate as far as possible to the subject of our meditation. This resolution should be directed to the shunning of some sin, or of some occasion of sin, to the correction of some defect, or to the practice of some act of virtue during the day.
“The preparation of our meditation consists of (i) an act of faith in the presence of God, and of adoration; (ii) an act of humility and of contrition, and (iii) an act of petition for light. We should then recommend ourselves to the Blessed Virgin Mary by reciting a Hail Mary, and also to St. Joseph, to our Guardian Angel, and to our holy patrons. These acts should be brief but very earnest and fervent.
“The conclusion of our meditation consists of these three acts: (i) thanksgiving to God for the light He imparted to us; (ii) purposing to fulfil our good resolutions at once; and (iii) beseeching the eternal Father, for the love of Jesus and Mary, to grant us the grace and strength to put them into practice. Before finishing our meditation let us never omit to recommend to God the souls in purgatory and poor sinners. In concluding our mental prayer let us, after the advice of St. Francis of Sales, pick out a thought or an affection from our mental prayer, in order to reflect on it or repeat it from time-to-time during the day.”
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who piously spend some time in mental prayer.
For a more extensive instruction on mental prayer according to Ignatian spirituality, click here.
Note that there are many alternative Morning Offerings; this is just one example.
O Lord Jesus Christ, in union with that divine intention with which Thou, whilst on earth, didst give praise to God through Thy most Sacred Heart, and which Thou dost still everywhere offer to Him in the Holy Eucharist, even to the consummation of the world, I, in imitation of the most sacred heart of the ever immaculate Virgin Mary, do most cheerfully offer Thee, during this entire day, all my thoughts and intentions, all my affections and desires, my words, and all my works, for those who are dying this day and have no one to pray for them. Amen.
Hear us, O Holy Lord, Almighty Father, Eternal God: and deign to send Thy holy angel from heaven, to guard, cherish, protect, visit, and defend all who dwell in this house. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Partial indulgence for the prayer Hear us, O Holy Lord.
O my God, I firmly believe that Thou art one God in three Divine Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. I believe that Thy Divine Son became man and died for our sins, and that he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, Who canst neither deceive nor be deceived. Amen.
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who recite devoutly, according to any legitimate formula, the acts of the theological virtues (faith, hope, charity) and of contrition. Each act is indulgenced.
Oh my God, relying on Thine almighty power and infinite mercy and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of Thy grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer. Amen.
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who recite devoutly, according to any legitimate formula, the acts of the theological virtues (faith, hope, charity) and of contrition. Each act is indulgenced.
Oh my God, I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all good and worthy of all my love. I love my neighbor as myself for love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured. Amen.
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who recite devoutly, according to any legitimate formula, the acts of the theological virtues (faith, hope, charity) and of contrition. Each act is indulgenced.
My Jesus, I believe that Thou art in the Blessed Sacrament. I love Thee above all things, and I long for Thee in my soul. Since I cannot now receive Thee Sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though Thou hast already come, I embrace Thee and unite myself entirely to Thee; never permit me to be separated from Thee. Amen.
An Act of Spiritual Communion, according to any pious formula, is enriched with a partial indulgence.
For a downloadable booklet, see below.
Introduction
The Apostle’s Creed is prayed while holding the Crucifix of the Rosary. Next, the Our Father follows on the first large bead. The Hail Mary is said three times on the smaller beads, then the Glory Be on the next large bead.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
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 Ghost, 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 will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
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.
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.
(Three times)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Five Decades
Each decade is joined to a meditation on one of the mysteries. Begin with an Our Father on the larger bead, followed by the Hail Mary ten times on the smaller beads, and conclude with the Glory Be and Fatima Prayer.
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.
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.
(Ten times)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins; save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy. Amen.
Conclusion
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 unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!
℣. Pray for us, most 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 salvation. Grant, we beseech Thee, that by 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 the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Mysteries of the Holy Rosary
JOYFUL MYSTERIES
SUNDAYS DURING ADVENT;
MONDAYS & THURSDAYS
- The Annunciation
- The Visitation
- The Nativity
- The Presentation
- The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
SORROWFUL MYSTERIES
SUNDAYS DURING LENT;
TUESDAYS & FRIDAYS
- The Agony in the Garden
- The Scourging at the Pillar
- The Crowning of Thorns
- The Carrying of the Cross
- The Crucifixion & Death of Our Lord
GLORIOUS MYSTERIES
ALL OTHER SUNDAYS;
WEDNESDAYS & SATURDAYS
- The Resurrection
- The Ascension
- The Descent of the Holy Ghost
- The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- The Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary
A plenary indulgence is granted, if the Rosary is recited in a church or public oratory or in a family group, a religious Community or pious Association; a partial indulgence is granted in other circumstances.
“Now the Rosary is a certain formula of prayer, which is made up of fifteen decades of Hail Marys with an Our Father before each decade, and in which the recitation of each decade is accompanied by pious meditation on a particular mystery of our Redemption” (Roman Breviary). The name Rosary, however, is commonly used in reference to only a third part of the fifteen decades.
The gaining of the plenary indulgence is regulated by the following norms:
1) The recitation of a third part only of the Rosary suffices; but the five decades must be recited continuously.
2) The vocal recitation must be accompanied by pious meditation on the mysteries.
3) In public recitation the mysteries must be announced in the manner customary in the place; for private recitation, however, it suffices if the vocal recitation is accompanied by meditation on the mysteries.
4) For those belonging to the Oriental rites, amongst whom this devotion is not practiced, the Patriarchs can determine some other prayers in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary (for those of the Byzantine rite, for example, the Hymn Akathistos or the Office Paraclisis); to the prayers thus determined are accorded the same indulgences as for the Rosary.
Additionally, the faithful, who devoutly use an article of devotion (crucifix or cross, rosary, scapular or medal) properly blessed by any priest, obtain a partial indulgence.
These are very brief prayers offered throughout the course of the day. They assist us in consecrating the duties of our state in life and keeping ourselves in the presence of God. For more information on this practice, refer to the sermons on Recollection on the Sermons & Lectures page.
Here are some examples, given by the Enchiridion Indulgentiarum (the Handbook of Indulgences), of pious invocations. These are not exhaustive and merely meant to provide a model of such prayers.
1) We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you; because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world. (Roman Breviary)
2) May the Holy Trinity be blessed. (Roman Missal)
3) Christ conquers! Christ reigns! Christ commands!
4) O Heart of Jesus, burning with love for us, inflame our hearts with love for you.
5) O Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in you.
6) O Heart of Jesus, all for you.
7) Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
8) My God and my all.
9) O God, have mercy on me, a sinner. (Lk 18:13)
10) Grant that I may praise you, O sacred Virgin; give me strength against your enemies. (Roman Breviary)
11) Teach me to do your will, because you are my God. (Ps 142:10)
12) O Lord, increase our faith. (Lk 17:5)
13) O Lord, may we be of one mind in truth and of one heart in charity.
14) O Lord, save us, we are perishing. (Mt 8:25)
15) My Lord and my God. (Jn 20, 28)
16) Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.
17) Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. (Roman Missal)
18) Jesus, Mary, Joseph.
19) Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul. Jesus, Mary, Joseph, assist me in my last agony. Jesus, Mary, Joseph, may I sleep and rest in peace with you. (Roman Ritual)
20) Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like your Heart. (Roman Ritual)
21) May the Most Blessed Sacrament be praised and adored forever.
22) Stay with us, O Lord. (Lk 24, 29)
23) Mother of Sorrows, pray for us.
24) My Mother, my Hope.
25) Send, O Lord, laborers into your harvest. (see Mt 9:38)
26) May the Virgin Mary together with her loving Child bless us. (Roman Breviary)
27) Hail, O Cross, our only hope. (Roman Breviary)
28) All you holy men and women of God, intercede for us. (Roman Ritual)
29) Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. (Roman Ritual)
30) Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. (Lk 23:46; see Ps 30:6)
31) Merciful Lord Jesus, grant them everlasting rest. (Roman Missal)
32) Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us. (Roman Ritual)
33) Holy Mother of God, Mary ever Virgin, intercede for us. (Roman Breviary)
34) Holy Mary, pray for us. (Roman Ritual)
35) You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. (Mt 16:16)
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who, in the performance of their duties and in bearing the trials of life, raise their mind with humble confidence to God, adding even if only mentally — some pious invocation.
This indulgence is one of three general grants for pious exercises in the course of daily life. The other two are:
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who in a spirit of faith and mercy give of themselves or of their goods to serve their brothers in need.
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who in a spirit of penance voluntarily deprive themselves of what is licit and pleasing to them.
The Angelus is recited three times every day, in the morning, at noon, and in the evening.
℣. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
℟. And she conceived of the Holy Ghost.
Hail Mary.
℣. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
℟. Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
Hail Mary.
℣. And the Word was made flesh.
℟. And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary.
℣. Pray for us, most holy Mother of God.
℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who devoutly recite the above prayers according to the formula indicated for the time of the year. It is a praiseworthy practice to recite these prayers in the early morning, at noon, and in the evening.
This prayer takes the place of the Angelus during Paschaltide.
℣. Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia.
℟. For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia.
℣. Has risen, as he said, alleluia.
℟. Pray for us to God, alleluia.
℣. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.
℟. For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.
Let us pray. O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, his Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who devoutly recite the above prayers according to the formula indicated for the time of the year. It is a praiseworthy practice to recite these prayers in the early morning, at noon, and in the evening.
Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
We give Thee thanks, almighty God, for all Thy benefits, Who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Partial indulgence for the prayer We give Thee thanks.
Following a decade of the Rosary:
℣. Remember, O Lord, Thy congregation.
℟. Which Thou hast possessed from the beginning.
Let us pray. O Lord Jesus, born to give testimony to the Truth, Thou who lovest unto the end those whom Thou hast chosen, kindly hear our prayers for our pastors. Thou who knowest all things, knowest that they love Thee and can do all things in Thee who strengthenest them. Sanctify them in Truth. Pour into them, we beseech Thee, the Spirit whom Thou didst give to Thy apostles, who would make them, in all things, like unto Thee. Receive the homage of love which they offer up to Thee, who hast graciously received the threefold confession of Peter. And so that a pure oblation may everywhere be offered without ceasing unto the Most Holy Trinity, graciously enrich their number and keep them in Thy love, who art one with the Father and the Holy Ghost, to whom be glory and honour forever.
Amen.
An examination of conscience is a healthy spiritual practice that can be made daily. It ought not take overly long and can be incorporated into our other prayers. Many of the faithful link it to their night prayers. Although it could take many forms, here is a general outline of what it might look like:
- Place oneself in the presence of God.
- Pray to the Holy Ghost for illumination.
- Briefly recall the blessings of the day and give thanks to God.
- Briefly and peacefully recall one’s failings of the day and express sorrow to God.
- Make a firm purpose of amendment to strive against these particular sins tomorrow.
The entire process should take only a few minutes. It is very important that the examination be done in a spirit of peace: although we are reflecting on our sins, we must keep foremost in our mind God’s goodness and mercy. The examination should increase our trust and confidence in Our Lord and our desire to be close to him. If that is not the case, it is likely that we are too caught up with pride or not keeping our gaze fixed on our Crucified Lord.
During the examination, it can be helpful to focus on a particular fault. For example, if we know that we are especially inclined to gossip, we might look more carefully for that in our recollection of the day, and place it front and center in our purpose of amendment.
If we are diligent in making the examination of conscience, we should begin to see real progress in the moral life, most especially if we are also being faithful to our daily prayers, making efforts to stay recollected in the presence of God, and receiving the Sacraments devoutly.
Holy Ghost, source of all light, Spirit of wisdom, of understanding, and of knowledge, come to my assistance. Enlighten me, and help me now to know my sins, as one day I shall be forced to recognize them before Thy judgment seat. Bring to my mind the evil which I have done and the good which I have neglected.
Permit me not to be blinded by self-love. Grant me, moreover, heartfelt sorrow for my transgressions, so that I may be forgiven and admitted into Thy friendship. Amen.
O Blessed Virgin, Mother of my Redeemer, mirror of innocence and sanctity, and refuge of penitent sinners, intercede for me through the Passion of thy Son, that I may obtain the grace of a heartfelt contrition. Amen.
Hail Mary. (Three times.)
Mary, by thy holy and Immaculate Conception, make my body pure and my soul holy. (Five times.)
My Mother, preserve me this night from mortal sin.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, this night, to keep us without sin.
Have mercy upon us, O Lord.
Have mercy upon us.
Let Thy mercy be upon us, O Lord,
as we have hoped in Thee. Amen.
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto Thee.
Visit, we beseech Thee, O Lord, this dwelling, and drive far from it all snares of the enemy; Let Thy holy Angels dwell herein, to preserve us in peace; and let Thy blessing be always upon us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Partial indulgence granted for the Visit, we beseech Thee prayer.
Prayers after Mass
Recited after every Low Mass.
Hail Mary. (Three times.)
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee to 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 exile, show unto 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, our refuge and our strength, look down in mercy upon Thy people who cry to Thee; and by the intercession of the glorious and immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of St. Joseph, her spouse, of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the Saints, do Thou mercifully and graciously hear the prayers which we pour forth for the conversion of sinners and for the liberty and exaltation of our holy Mother, the Church. Through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen.
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection 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 the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
℣. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
℟. Have mercy on us.
℣. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
℟. Have mercy on us.
℣. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
℟. Have mercy on us.
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Sundays after the High Mass and Thursdays after all Low Masses.
℣. Let us pray for priestly and religious vocations.
℟. O God, we earnestly beseech Thee to bless the Church with many priests, brothers, and sisters, who will love Thee with their whole hearts, be faithful to their vocations, and gladly spend their entire lives to teach Thy truths, serve Thy Church, and to make Thee known and loved.
℣. Bless our families, bless our children.
℟. Choose from our homes those who are needed for Thy work.
℣. O Mary, Queen of priestly and religious vocations:
℟. Pray for us. Pray for our priests, seminarians and religious. Obtain for us the grace of many more. Amen.
Let us pray. O God, grant that at least one of our sons may become a priest or religious brother, and one of our daughters a religious sister. We ourselves want to live as good Christians, and to guide our children always to do what is right, so that we may receive the grace, O God, to be allowed to give Thee a holy priest, brother, or sister. Amen.
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who recite a prayer, approved by ecclesiastical authority, for the above intention.
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Tuesday after the 6 pm Mass.
The origin of the icon is uncertain, dating from either the ninth or the fifteenth century. It resided for several centuries in the Church of San Matteo, in Rome, until the French occupied that city in 1798, imprisoning Pope Pius VI and destroying several churches of the city. San Matteo was among the demolished churches, but the Augustinian friars who served it managed to rescue the icon. Decades later, in 1865, custodianship of the icon was transferred by Pope Pius IX to the Redemptorists, who had rebuilt a church on the original site of San Matteo, under the title of Sant’Alfonso di Liguori.
The icon has a number of symbolic elements that merit explanation. There are several Greek inscriptions, identifying the Mother of God, the Christ Child, and the Archangels Michael and Gabriel. The angels bear the instruments of the Passion, from which the Christ Child seeks consolation from his mother. He was so prompt to seek her that one of his sandals has come untied, and hangs loosely from his foot. The contrasting red and blue in the garments of Our Lady suggest her virginity and maternity, or perhaps her nature elevated by grace. Her eyes are large and open, gazing at the viewer, indicating her ever-vigilant maternal care over the faithful. Her lips are small and closed, inviting her spiritual children to accompany her in silent recollection. A star crests her mantle in honor of her title, Star of the Sea. The golden crown was a later addition, in gratitude for the many miracles and favors obtained through Our Lady’s intercession.
Hymn
Mother dearest, Mother fairest,
Help of all, who call on thee.
Virgin purest, brightest, rarest,
Help us, help, we cry to thee.
Mary, help us, help we pray.
Mary, help us, help we pray.
Help us in all care and sorrow.
Mary, help us, help we pray.
Lady, help in pain and sorrow,
Soothe those rack’d on beds of pain,
May the golden light of morrow,
Bring them health and joy again.
Prayers
O Mother of Perpetual Help, with the greatest confidence, we come before thy sacred picture, in order to invoke thine aid. Thou hast seen the wounds which Jesus has been pleased to receive for our sake; thou hast seen the Blood of thy Son flowing for our salvation; thou knowest how thy Son desires to apply to us the fruits of His Redemption. Behold, we cast ourselves at thy feet, and pray thee to obtain for our souls the graces of which we stand so much in need. O Mary, most loving of all mothers, obtain for us from the heart of Jesus, the source of every good, these graces: [make intention]. O Mother of Perpetual Help, thou desirest our salvation far more than we ourselves: thy Son has given thee to us for our Mother; thou hast thyself chosen to be called Mother of Perpetual Help. We trust not in our merits, but in thy powerful intercession; we trust in thy goodness; we trust in thy motherly love. Mother of Perpetual Help, for the love thou bearest to Jesus, thy Son and our Redeemer, for the love of thy great servant Alphonsus, for the love of our souls, obtain for us the graces we ask from thee. Amen.
Hail Mary. (Three times.)
O Mother of Perpetual Help, numerous clients continually surround thy holy picture, all imploring thy mercy. All bless thee as the assured help of the miserable; all feel the benefit of thy motherly protection. With confidence, then, do we present ourselves before thee in our misery. See, dear Mother, the many evils to which we are exposed; see how numerous are our wants. Trials and sorrows often depress us; reverses of fortune and privations, often grievous, bring misery into our lives; everywhere we meet the cross. Have pity, compassionate Mother, on us and on our dear ones, especially in this our necessity: [make intention]. Help us, dear Mother, in our distress; deliver us from all our ills; or, if it be the will of God that we should suffer still longer, grant that we may endure all with love and patience. These graces we expect of thee with confidence, because thou art our perpetual help. Amen.
Hail Mary. (Three times.)
O Mother of Perpetual Help, thou art the dispenser of all the goods which God grants to us miserable sinners, and for this reason, He has made thee so powerful, so rich, and so bountiful, that thou mayest help us in our misery. Thou art the advocate of the most wretched and abandoned sinners, who have recourse to thee; come, then, to my help, dearest Mother, for I recommend myself to thee. In thy hands, I place my eternal salvation and to thee do I entrust my soul. Count me among thy most devoted servants; take me under thy protection, and it is enough for me; for, if thou protect me, dear Mother, I fear nothing; not from my sins, because thou wilt obtain for me the pardon of them; nor from the devils, because thou art more powerful than all hell together; nor even from Jesus, my judge Himself, because, by one prayer from thee, He will be appeased. But one thing I fear; that, in the hour of temptation, I may neglect to call on thee, and thus perish miserably. Obtain for me, then, the pardon of my sins, love for Jesus, final perseverance, and the grace always to have recourse to thee, O Mother of Perpetual Help. Amen.
Hail Mary. (Three times.)
℣. Thou hast been made for us, O Lady, a refuge.
℟. A helper in need and tribulation.
Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, Who hast given us Thine own Mother Mary, whose glorious image we venerate, to be a Mother ever ready to help us; grant, we beseech Thee, that we, who constantly implore her help, may merit always to experience the fruits of Thy Redemption, Thou Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
Most Holy, Immaculate Virgin and my Mother Mary! To thee who art the Mother of my Lord, the Queen of the world, the Advocate, the Hope, and the Refuge of sinners, I have recourse today, I who am the most miserable of all. I render thee my most humble homage, O great Queen, and I thank thee for all the graces thou hast conferred on me until now, especially for having delivered me from Hell, which I have so often deserved. I love thee, O most amiable Lady; and for the love which I bear thee, I promise to serve thee always and to do all in my power to make others love thee also. I place in thee all my hopes; I confide my salvation to thy care. Accept me for thy servant and receive me under thy mantle, O Mother of Mercy. And since thou art so powerful with God, deliver me from all temptations; or rather, obtain for me the strength to triumph over them until death. Of thee I ask a perfect love for Jesus Christ. Through thee I hope to die a good death. O my Mother, by the love which thou bearest to God, I beseech thee to help me at all times, but especially at the last moment of my life. Leave me not, I beseech thee, until thou seest me safe in Heaven, blessing thee and singing thy mercies for all eternity. Amen, so I hope; so may it be.
Hymn
Mother dear, O pray for me!
Whilst far from heav’n and thee.
I wander in a fragile bark,
O’er life’s tempestuous sea.
O Virgin Mother, from thy throne,
So bright in bliss above.
Protect thy child and cheer my path
With thy sweet smile of love.
Mother dear, remember me!
And never cease thy care,
‘Till in heaven eternally,
Thy love and bliss I share.
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Wednesdays after all Low Masses.
℣. He made him lord of his house.
℟. And prince over all his possessions.
Let us pray. O God, in Thy marvelous providence, Thou hast deigned to choose St. Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most holy Mother. We ask Thee to grant that we may deserve to have him for our intercessor in heaven, whom on earth we venerate as our protector; who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.
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Thursdays after the noon Mass.
Hymn
O salutáris Hóstia,
Quæ cæli pandis óstium,
Bella premunt hostília,
Da robur, fer auxílium.
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who visit the Most Blessed Sacrament to adore it; a plenary indulgence is granted, if the visit lasts for at least one half an hour.
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Thursdays before the evening Mass.
Hymn
Tantum ergo Sacraméntum,
Venerémur cérnui:
Et antíquum documentum
Novo cedat rítui;
Præstet fides suppleméntum
Sénsuum deféctui.
Genitori Genitóque,
Laus et iubilátio;
Salus, honor, virtus quoque,
Sit et benedíctio;
Procedénti ab utróque
Compar sit laudátio. Amen.
Prayers
℣. Panem de cælo præstitísti eis. (T.P. Allelúia.)
℟. Omne delectaméntum in se habéntem. (T.P. Allelúia.)
Oremus. Deus, qui nobis sub sacraménto mirábili passiónis tuæ memóriam reliquísti, tríbue, quaesumus, ita nos córporis et sánguinis tui sacra mystéria venerári, * ut redemptiónis tuæ fructum in nobis júgiter sentiámus. Qui vivis et regnas in saecula sæculórum. Amen.
Blessed by God.
Blessed be His Holy Name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the Name of Jesus.
Blessed be his Most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be his Most Precious Blood.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be the Holy Ghost the Paraclete.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be her holy and immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints.
Hymn
Holy God, we praise thy name!
Lord of all, we bow before thee!
All on Earth thy sceptre claim,
All in Heav’n above adore thee;
Infinite thy vast domain,
Everlasting is thy reign.
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who devoutly recite the above strophes. But a plenary indulgence is granted on Holy Thursday and on the feast of Corpus Christi, if they are recited in a solemn manner.
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First Thursday after the evening Mass.
Faithful God, Light of all hearts, we praise Thee for St. Monica, woman of living faith and reconciling love. She nursed her son, Augustine, on the Name of Jesus, and urged him tirelessly to a Christian way of life. In answer to her prayers for his conversion, Thou gavest her greater joy than all her tears had dared to ask. Hear our prayers: [make intention]. As once Thou didst captivate the heart of St. Augustine, so now draw our hearts to Thee, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new. ℟. Amen.
O God, Who observed the devout tears and pleading of St. Monica and granted to her prayers the conversion of her husband and the penitential return of her son, Augustine, grant us the grace to implore Thee also with earnest zeal, so that we may obtain, as she did, the salvation of our own soul and the souls of those belonging to us. Through Christ Our Lord. ℟. Amen.
O Holy Monica, by thy patience and prayers thou didst obtain from
God the conversion of thy husband and the grace to live in peace with him; obtain for us, we beseech thee, the blessing of Almighty God, so that true harmony and peace may reign also in our homes, and that all the members of our families may attain eternal life. ℟. Amen.
O Holy Monica, by thy burning tears and unceasing prayers thou
didst save thy son from eternal damnation; obtain for us the grace ever to comprehend what is most conducive to the salvation of our children, so that we may effectively restrain them from sin and lead them by virtue and piety to Heaven. ℟. Amen.
O Mary, Immaculate Virgin and Sorrowful Mother, commend our beloved children to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, who refuses nothing to His Mother. ℟. Amen.
℣. Holy Guardian Angels,
℟. Pray for them.
℣. St. Joseph, powerful patron,
℟. Pray for them.
℣. St. John, beloved disciple of the Heart of Jesus,
℟. Pray for them.
℣. St. Augustine,
℟. Pray for them.
℣. St. Anthony,
℟. Pray for them.
℣. St. Aloysius,
℟. Pray for them.
℣. St. Anne, mother of Our Lady,
℟. Pray for them.
℣. St. Elizabeth,
℟. Pray for them.
℣. St. Monica,
℟. Pray for them. Amen.
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Our Lord revealed to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque: “I promise you, in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the first Friday for nine consecutive months, the grace of final repentance; they shall not die in my disgrace nor without receiving the Sacraments; my divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in that last moment.” The Communions must be received on nine consecutive First Fridays, for the purpose of reparation to the Sacred Heart.
At our parish, we also offer a prayer of consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on every First Friday after all public Masses. As the prayer is quite long, the priest prays it from the foot of the altar and the faithful join him silently.
O sweet Jesus, whose overflowing charity for men is requited by so much forgetfulness, negligence and contempt, behold us prostrate before Thy altar eager to repair by a special act of homage the cruel indifference and injuries, to which Thy 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 Thy 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 Thee, their Shepherd and Leader, or, renouncing the vows of their baptism, have cast off the sweet yoke of Thy law.
We are now resolved to expiate each and every deploreable outrage committed against Thee; we are determined to make amends for the manifold offenses against Christian modesty in unbecoming dress and behaviour, for all the foul seductions laid to ensnare the feet of the innocent, for the frequent violation of Sundays and holy days, and the shocking blasphemies uttered against Thee and Thy Saints.
We wish also to make amends for the insults to which Thy Vicar on earth and Thy priests are subjected, for the profanation, by conscious neglect or terrible acts of sacrilege, of the very Sacrament of Thy divine love; and lastly for the public crimes of nations who resist the rights and the teaching authority of the Church which Thou hast 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 Thy divine honour, the satisfaction Thou didst once make to Thine eternal Father on the cross and which Thou does continue to renew daily on our altars; we offer it in union with the acts of atonement of Thy 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 Thy grace, for all neglect of Thy 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 Thee and to bring as many as possible to follow Thee.
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 Thee, so that we may all one day come to that happy home, where Thou with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest God, world without end. ℟. Amen.
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who piously recite the above act of reparation. A plenary indulgence is granted if it is publicly recited on the feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
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Prayer of Reparation after Mass
After Masses on First Saturdays, the priest leads the faithful in the following prayer. Further acts of reparation, requested by Our Lady, are found after the prayer.
Most holy virgin, and our mother, we listen with grief to the complaints of thine Immaculate Heart surrounded with the thorns placed therein at every moment by the blasphemies and ingratitude of ungrateful humanity. We are moved by the ardent desire of loving thee as Our Mother and of promising a true devotion to thine Immaculate Heart.
We therefore kneel before thee to manifest the sorrow we feel for the grievances that people cause thee, and to atone by our prayers and sacrifices for the offences with which they return thy love. Obtain for them and for us the pardon of so many sins. Hasten the conversion of sinners that they may love Jesus Christ and cease to offend the Lord, already so much offended. Turn thine eyes of mercy toward us, that we may love God with all our heart on earth and enjoy Him forever in Heaven. Amen.
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The First Five Saturdays in General
The First Five Saturdays is a devotion that arises from the Marian apparitions at Fatima, Portugal in 1917. During the third apparition (on July 13), Our Lady informed the children that she would return to ask for the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart and for acts of reparation for the injuries suffered by her Immaculate Heart at the hands of the impious. She returned to Sr. Lucia in 1925 to request that the faithful make these acts of reparation, and again in 1929 to request that the Holy Father consecrate Russia to her Immaculate Heart.
The acts of reparation consist of four pious exercises, made by the faithful for five consecutive First Saturdays. These are:
- Making a worthy confession (this can be made up to eight days prior to or after the First Saturday itself).
- Receiving Holy Communion.
- Reciting five decades of the Holy Rosary.
- Spending fifteen minutes meditating on one or several of the mysteries of the Holy Rosary.
These acts are offered in reparation for sins of blasphemy and ingratitude against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Our Lady promised that she would intercede with her Divine Son for any soul that observed the First Saturday devotions on five consecutive First Saturdays: “See, my daughter, My Heart surrounded with thorns with which ingrates pierce me at every moment with blasphemies and ingratitude. You, at least, make sure to console me and announce that all those who for five months, on the first Saturdays, go to confession, receive Communion, say five decades of the Rosary and keep me company for fifteen minutes meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, with the purpose of making reparation to Me, I promise to assist them at the hour of death with all the graces necessary for the salvation of their souls.”
The Five First Saturdays are offered in reparation for five classes of injuries against Our Lady:
- Blasphemies against the Immaculate Conception;
- Blasphemies against her virginity;
- Blasphemies against her divine maternity, and at the same time the refusal to accept her as the Mother of all men;
- Instilling indifference, scorn and even hatred towards this Immaculate Mother in the hearts of children;
- Direct insults against Her sacred images.
After all Masses on New Year’s Day.
Latin Hymn
Veni, Creator Spiritus,
mentes tuorum visita,
imple superna gratia
quae tu creasti pectora.
Qui diceris Paraclitus,
altissimi donum Dei,
fons vivus, ignis, caritas,
et spiritalis unctio.
Tu, septiformis munere,
digitus paternae dexterae,
Tu rite promissum Patris,
sermone ditans guttura.
Accende lumen sensibus:
infunde amorem cordibus:
infirma nostri corporis
virtute firmans perpeti.
Hostem repellas longius,
pacemque dones protinus:
ductore sic te praevio
vitemus omne noxium.
Per te sciamus da Patrem,
noscamus atque Filium;
Teque utriusque Spiritum
credamus omni tempore.
Deo Patri sit gloria,
et Filio, qui a mortuis
surrexit, ac Paraclito,
in saeculorum saecula.
Amen.
English Translation
Come, O Creator Spirit blest,
And in our souls take up Thy rest,
Come with Thy grace and Heavenly aid,
And fill the hearts which Thou hast made.
Great Paraclete! To Thee we cry,
O highest gift of God most high!
O fount of life! O fire of love!
And sweet anointing from above.
Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts art known,
The finger of God’s hand we own;
The promise of the Father, Thou!
Who dost the tongue with power endow.
Kindle our senses from above,
And make our hearts o’erflow with love;
With patience firm and virtue high,
The weakness of our flesh supply.
Far from us drive the foe we dread,
And grant us Thy true peace instead;
So shall we not, with Thee for guide,
Turn from the path of life aside.
Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow
The Father and the Son to know,
And Thee through endless times confessed
Of both the Eternal Spirit blest.
All glory while the ages run
Be to the Father and the Son
Who rose from death; the same to Thee,
O Holy Ghost, eternally. Amen.
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who devoutly recite the hymn Veni, Creator Spiritus. But a plenary indulgence is granted, if the hymn is recited publicly on the 1st of January and on the Feast of Pentecost.
The Epiphany water blessing is carried out on the Vigil of the Epiphany, that is, on the twelfth day of Christmas. For commentary on the history and use of this blessed water, click here.
Litany of the Saints
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.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
St. Michael, pray for us.
St. Gabriel, pray for us.
St. Raphael, pray for us.
All ye Holy Angels and Archangels, pray for us.
All ye Holy Orders of Blessed Spirits, pray for us.
St. John the Baptist, pray for us.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
All ye Holy Patriarchs and Prophets, pray for us.
St. Peter, pray for us.
St. Paul, pray for us.
St. Andrew, pray for us.
St. James, pray for us.
St. John, pray for us.
St. Thomas, pray for us.
St. James, pray for us.
St. Philip, pray for us.
St. Bartholomew, pray for us.
St. Matthew, pray for us.
St. Simon, pray for us.
St. Thaddeus, pray for us.
St. Matthias, pray for us.
St. Barnabas, pray for us.
St. Luke, pray for us.
St. Mark, pray for us.
All ye Holy Apostles and Evangelists, pray for us.
All ye Holy Disciples of Our Lord, pray for us.
All ye Holy Innocents, pray for us.
St. Stephen, pray for us.
St. Lawrence, pray for us.
St. Vincent, pray for us.
Ss. Fabian and Sebastian, pray for us.
Ss. John and Paul, pray for us.
Ss. Cosmas and Damian, pray for us.
Ss. Gervase and Protase, pray for us.
All ye Holy Martyrs, pray for us.
St. Sylvester, pray for us.
St. Gregory, pray for us.
St. Ambrose, pray for us.
St. Augustine, pray for us.
St. Jerome, pray for us.
St. Martin, pray for us.
St. Nicolas, pray for us.
All ye Holy Bishops and Confessors, pray for us.
All ye Holy Doctors, pray for us.
St. Anthony, pray for us.
St. Benedict, pray for us.
St. Bernard, pray for us.
St. Dominic, pray for us.
St. Francis, pray for us.
All ye Holy Priests and Levites, pray for us.
All ye Holy Monks and Hermits, pray for us.
St. Mary Magdalen, pray for us.
St. Agatha, pray for us.
St. Lucy, pray for us.
St. Agnes, pray for us.
St. Cecilia, pray for us.
St. Catherine, pray for us.
St. Anastasia, pray for us
All ye Holy Virgins and Widows, pray for us.
All ye Holy Men and Women, Saints of God, make intercession for us.
Be merciful, spare us, O Lord.
Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Lord.
From all evil, deliver us, O Lord.
From all sin, deliver us, O Lord.
From Thy wrath, deliver us, O Lord.
From a sudden and unprovided death, deliver us, O Lord.
From the snares of the devil, deliver us, O Lord.
From anger, and hatred, and all ill will, deliver us, O Lord.
From the spirit of fornication, deliver us, O Lord.
From lightning and tempest, deliver us, O Lord.
From the scourge of earthquake, deliver us, O Lord.
From pestilence, famine and war, deliver us, O Lord.
From everlasting death, deliver us, O Lord.
Through the Mystery of Thy Holy Incarnation, deliver us, O Lord.
Through Thine Advent, deliver us, O Lord.
Through Thy Nativity, deliver us, O Lord.
Through Thy Baptism and Holy Fasting, deliver us, O Lord.
Through Thy Cross and Passion, deliver us, O Lord.
Through Thy Death and Burial, deliver us, O Lord.
Through Thy Holy Resurrection, deliver us, O Lord.
Through Thine Admirable Ascension, deliver us, O Lord.
Through the Descent of the Holy Ghost the Paraclete, deliver us, O Lord.
In the day of judgment, deliver us, O Lord.
We sinners, we beseech Thee, hear us,
That Thou wouldst spare us, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst pardon us, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst bring us to true penance, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst govern and preserve Thy holy Church, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst preserve the Bishop of the Apostolic See, and all ecclesiastical orders in holy religion, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst humble the enemies of Thy Holy Church, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst give peace and true concord to Christian kings and princes, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst grant peace and unity to all Christian people, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That thou wouldst bring back to the unity of the Church all those who have strayed away, and lead to the light of the Gospel all unbelievers, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst confirm and preserve us in Thy holy service, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst lift up our minds to heavenly desires, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst render eternal blessings to all our benefactors, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst deliver our souls, and the souls of our brethren, relations and benefactors, from eternal damnation, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst give and preserve the fruit of the earth, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst give eternal rest to all the faithful departed, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That you bless + this water, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That you bless + and sanctify + this water, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst graciously hear us, we beseech Thee, hear us.
Son of God, we beseech Thee, hear 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.
Christ hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Our Father (inaudibly until).
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil. Amen.
Psalm 28
Give to the Lord, you sons of God, * give to the Lord glory and praise.
Give to the Lord the glory due His name; * adore the Lord in holy attire.
The voice of the Lord is over the waters, the God of glory thunders, * The Lord, over vast waters.
The voice of the Lord is mighty; * the voice of the Lord is majestic.
The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars, * the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon leap like a calf * and Sarion like a young wild bull.
The voice of the Lord strikes fiery flames; the voice of the Lord shakes the desert, * the Lord shakes the wilderness of Cades.
The voice of the Lord twists the oaks and strips the forests, * and in His temple all say, “Glory!”
The Lord is enthroned above the flood; * the Lord is enthroned as king forever.
May the Lord give strength to His people; * may the Lord bless his people with peace.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Psalm 45
God is our refuge and our strength, * an ever-present help in distress.
Therefore we fear not, though the earth be shaken and mountains plunge into the depths of the sea;
Though its waters rage and foam * and the mountains quake at its surging.
The Lord of hosts is with us; * our stronghold is the God of Jacob.
There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God, * the holy dwelling of the Most High.
God is in its midst; it shall not be disturbed; * God will help it at the break of dawn.
Though nations are in turmoil, kingdoms totter, * His voice resounds, the earth melts away;
The Lord of hosts is with us; * our stronghold is the God of Jacob.
Come, see the deeds of the Lord, * the astounding things He has wrought on earth.
He has stopped wars to the end of the earth; * the bow he breaks; He splinters the spears; He burns the shields with fire.
Desist, and confess that I am God, * exalted among the nations, exalted upon the earth.
The Lord of hosts is with us; * our stronghold is the God of Jacob.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Psalm 146
Praise the Lord, for He is good; * sing praise to our God, for He is gracious; it is fitting to praise Him.
The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem; * the dispersed of Israel He gathers.
He heals the brokenhearted * and binds up their wounds.
He tells the number of the stars; * He calls each by name.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power; * to His wisdom there is no limit.
The Lord sustains the lowly; * the wicked He casts to the ground.
Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; * sing praise with the harp to our God.
Who covers the heavens with clouds, * who provides rain for the earth;
Who makes grass sprout on the mountains * and herbs for the service of men;
Who gives food to the cattle, * and to the young ravens when they cry to Him.
He delights not in the strength of the steed, * nor is He pleased with the fleetness of men.
The Lord is pleased with those who fear Him, * with those who hope for His kindness.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Exorcism against Satan and the Apostate Angels
N.B. The faithful are strictly prohibited from the use of this prayer.
In the name of our Lord Jesus + Christ and by His power, we cast you out, every unclean spirit, every devilish power, every assault of the infernal adversary, every legion, every diabolical group and sect; begone and stay far from the Church of God, from all who are made in the image of God and redeemed by the Precious Blood of the Divine + Lamb. Never again dare, you cunning serpent, to deceive the human race, to persecute the Church of God, nor to strike the chosen of God and to sift them as + wheat. For it is the Most High God who commands you, + He to whom you heretofore in your great pride considered yourself equal; He who desires that all men might be saved and come to the knowledge of truth. God the Father + commands you. God the Son + commands you. God the Holy + Ghost commands you. The majesty of Christ, the eternal Word of God made flesh + commands you; He who for the salvation of our race, the race that was lost through your envy, humbled Himself and became obedient even unto death; He who built His Church upon a solid rock, and proclaimed that the gates of hell should never prevail against her, and that He would remain with her all days, even to the end of the world. The Sacred Mystery of the Cross + commands you, as well as the power of all the mysteries of Christian faith. The exalted Virgin Mary, Mother of God + commands you, who in her lowliness crushed your proud head from the first moment of her Immaculate Conception. The faith of the holy apostles Peter and Paul and the other apostles + commands you. The blood of the martyrs and the devout intercession of all holy men and women commands you.
Therefore, accursed dragon and every diabolical legion, we adjure you by the living + God, by the true + God, by the holy + God, by the God who so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but shall have life everlasting; cease your deception of the human race and your giving them to drink of the poison of everlasting damnation; desist from harming the Church and fettering her freedom. Begone Satan, you father and teacher of lies and enemy of mankind. Give place to Christ in whom you found none of your works; give place to the one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church, which Christ Himself purchased with His blood. May you be brought low under God’s mighty hand. May you tremble and flee as we call upon the holy and awesome name of Jesus, before whom hell quakes, and to whom the virtues, powers, and dominations are subject; whom the cherubim and seraphim praise with unwearied voices, saying: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts!
Canticle
Ant. Today the Church is espoused to her heavenly bridegroom, for Christ washes her sins in the Jordan; the Magi hasten with gifts to the regal nuptials; and the guests are gladdened with water made wine, alleluia.
The Benedictus or Magnificat follows, depending on the hour.
Benedictus
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
Because he hath visited and wrought the Redemption of his people:
And hath raised up a horn of salvation to us,
In the house of David his servant
As he spoke by the mouth of his holy Prophets,
Who are from the beginning:
Salvation from our enemies,
And from the hand of all that hate us.
To perform, mercy to our fathers:
And to remember His holy covenant.
The oath which he swore to Abraham our Father,
That he would grant to us.
That being delivered from the hands of our Enemies
We may serve him without fear.
In holiness and justice before him,
All our days.
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest:
For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord To prepare his ways.
To give knowledge of salvation to his people,
Unto the remission of their sins.
Through the bowels of the mercy of our God:
In which the Orient from on high hath visited Us.
To enlighten them that sit in darkness, and in The shadow of death: to direct our feet in the Way of peace.
Glory be the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Magnificat
My soul doth magnify the Lord.
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
Because He hath regarded the humility of His slave:
For behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Because He that is mighty hath done great things to me; and holy is His name.
And His mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear Him.
He hath shewed 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 hath received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy:
As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.
Glory be the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. Today the Church is espoused to her heavenly bridegroom, for Christ washes her sins in the Jordan; the Magi hasten with gifts to the regal nuptials; and the guests are gladdened with water made wine, alleluia.
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Let us pray. God, who on this day revealed your only-begotten Son to all nations by the guidance of a star, grant that we who now know you by faith may finally behold you in your heavenly majesty; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Blessing of Water
Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Who made heaven and earth.
O salt, creature of God, I exorcise you by the living God, by the true God, by
the holy God, by the God who ordered you to be poured into the water by Eliseus the Prophet so that its lifegiving powers might be restored. I exorcise you so that you may become a means of salvation for believers, that you may bring health of soul and body to all who make use of you, and that you may put to flight and drive away from the places where you are sprinkled every apparition, villainy, and turn of devilish deceit, and every unclean spirit, adjured by Him Who will come to judge the living and the dead and the world by fire.
Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, we humbly implore Thee, in Thy immeasurable kindness and love, to bless + and sanctify + this salt which Thou did create and give over to the use of mankind, so that it may become a source of health for the minds and bodies of all who make use of it, and may rid whatever it touches or sprinkles of all uncleanness and protect it from every assault of evil
spirits. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
O water, creature of God, I exorcise you in the name of God the Father almighty, and in the name of Jesus Christ His Son, our Lord, and in the power of the Holy Ghost. I exorcise you so that you may put to flight all the power of the Enemy, and be able to root out and supplant that Enemy with his apostate angels: through the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who will come to judge the living and the dead and the world by fire. Amen.
Let us pray. O God, Who for the salvation of mankind has built Thy greatest mysteries on this substance, water, in Thy kindness hear our prayers and pour down the power of Thy blessing + into this element, made ready for many kinds of purifications. May this, Thy creature, become an agent of divine grace in the service of Thy mysteries, to drive away evil spirits and dispel sickness, so that everything in the homes and other buildings of the faithful that is sprinkled with this water may be rid of all uncleanness and freed from every harm. Let no breath of infection, no disease-bearing air, remain in these places. May the wiles of the lurking Enemy prove of no avail. Let whatever might menace the safety and peace of those who live here be put to flight by the sprinkling of this water; so that the healthfulness, obtained by calling upon Thy holy name, may be made secure against all attack. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
May this salt and water be mixed together; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Let us pray. O God, Creator unconquerable, invincible King, Victor ever-glorious, Who did hold in check the forces bent on dominating us, Who did overcome the cruelty of the raging enemy, Who did in Thy power beat down the wicked foe: Humbly and fearfully do we pray to Thee, O Lord, and we ask Thee to look with favor on this salt and water which Thou has created. Shine on it with the light of Thy kindness. Sanctify it by the dew of Thy love, so that, through the invocation of Thy holy name, wherever this water and salt is sprinkled it may turn aside every attack of the unclean spirit and dispel the terror of the poisonous serpent. And wherever we may be, make the Holy Ghost present to us who now implore Thy mercy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, forever and ever.
Sprinkling of Water
The faithful are now sprinkled with the blessed waters.
Te Deum
We praise Thee, O God; we acknowledge Thee to be Our Lord.
Thee, the Father everlasting, all the earth doth worship.
To Thee all Angels; to Thee the Heavens and all the powers.
To Thee the Cherubim and Seraphim continually cry:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of the majesty of Thy glory.
The glorious choir of the Apostles praises Thee.
The admirable company of Prophets praises Thee.
The White-robed army of the Martyrs praises Thee.
Thee, the holy Church throughout the world doth confess:
The Father of infinite majesty;
Thine adorable, true, and only Son;
Also, the Holy Ghost, the Comforter.
Thou, O Christ, art the King of glory.
Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
Thou, having taken upon Thee to deliver man, didst not disdain the Virgin’s womb.
Thou, having overcome the sting of death, hast opened to believers the Kingdom of Heaven.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
Thou, we believe, art the judge to come.
We beseech Thee, therefore, to help Thy servants,
whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Precious Blood.
Make them to be numbered with Thy Saints in glory everlasting.
O Lord save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance.
And govern them, and exalt them forever.
Day by day we bless Thee.
And we praise Thy name forever; yea, forever and ever.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day, to keep us from sin.
Have mercy on us. O Lord, have mercy on us.
Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we have trusted in Thee.
In Thee, O Lord, have I trusted; let me not be confounded forever.
Blessed art thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.
And worthy to be praised and glorified forever.
Let us bless the Father and the Son, with the Holy Ghost.
Let us praise and magnify Him forever.
Let us bless the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Let us praise and mightily exalt Him forever.
Lord, heed my prayer.
And let my cry be heard by you.
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Let us pray. O God, of Whose mercies there is no number, and of Whose goodness the
treasure is infinite: we render thanks to
Thy most gracious Majesty for the gifts
Thou hast bestowed upon us, always
beseeching Thy clemency; that as Thou
grantest the petitions of them that ask
Thee, Thou wilt never forsake them,
but wilt prepare them for the greater
rewards that still await them. Through
Christ Our Lord.
Blessed chalk from the Feast of Epiphany is placed in the vestibule. Upon returning home, the lintel of the main door of the house is marked with the blessed chalk by the head of the household in the following manner (note: this formula is for 2026; make changes as necessary in future years).
Inscribe 20+C+M+B+26 while saying the following prayer:
The Three Wise Men …
C Caspar …
M Melchior …
B & Balthasaar, followed the star of God’s Son who became Man …
20 Two-thousand
26 and twenty-six years ago …
+ May Christ …
+ bless our home …
+ and remain with us
+ through the new year.
Almighty God, incline Thine ear. Bless us and all who are gathered here. Send Thy holy angel who will defend us, and fill with grace all who dwell here. Amen.
A novena to Our Lady of Lourdes is offered after all Masses for nine days (February 2 – 10) leading up the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on February 11. The faithful who are unable to assist at daily Mass are encouraged to recite the prayers at home.
Novena
One decade of the Holy Rosary, followed by:
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Consecration
On the feastday itself, the Consecration is prayed.
O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Help of Christians, behold this day before thy feet, the priests and seminarians of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, together with all those who, united with us as a spiritual family, place their hope and trust in thee.
O Queen and Mother of all priests, it was by thee that Jesus, the High Priest and Victim, was given unto the world, and He in turn has given thee as Mother to us.
Intercede, therefore, we implore thee, for us thy children, whom thou didst receive and accept at the foot of the Cross. Look with favor upon the work we seek to do for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. Obtain for us by thy prayers the graces we need as members of the one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, to be instructed and enlightened by her Magisterium, to be devoutly zealous for the graces of her Sacraments, and to be unfailingly loyal in our unity with the Vicar of thy Son.
The rest of the text is recited only by priests and seminarians of the Fraternity:
Conscious of our own frailty, and of the hatred of the world for the works of light, we offer this day to thy Immaculate Heart our Priestly Fraternity and beg thee to take it under thy patronage. We choose thee, this day and evermore, as our advocate and Queen, and devote ourselves and all those souls who seek our priestly care, together with all our works and all we have and are, to thy loving protection.
To thee and to thy Immaculate Heart, we entrust and consecrate ourselves. Assist us in our endeavors to spread the Kingdom of thy Son, so that those who have strayed from the truth may once more attend to the teaching of the Church; those separated from her unity may return to the one true fold; those in sin may be restored to a state of grace; and those who have abandoned the Sacraments may return with fervor to receive them.
O Virgin Most Pure, do thou, together with Saint Peter, and all the angels and saints, pray for us all in these times of trial. May thy love and protection be ever upon our Fraternity, so that we may faithfully proclaim the Holy Gospel and bring the Sacraments to ever more souls. Obtain for us by thy prayers that we may persevere in grace until death, when we may be united with thee, our loving Mother, in the house of the Father. Amen.
Unto thee, O blessed Joseph, do we fly in our tribulation, and having implored the help of thy most holy spouse, we now also confidently seek thy protection. By that charity which united thee to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and by thy fatherly love for the Child Jesus, we humbly beg thee to look graciously upon the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased with His blood, and in our need to help us by thy powerful intercession.
Do thou, prudent guardian of the Holy Family, watch over the chosen people of Jesus Christ. Keep us, most loving father, from all blight of error and corruption. Most mighty protector, from thy place in Heaven, graciously help us in this our contest with the powers of darkness. And as of old thou didst rescue the Child Jesus from the supreme peril of His life, so now defend God’s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity. Extend to each one of us thy continual protection, that led on by thine example and strengthened by thine aid, we may live a holy life, die in holiness, and obtain everlasting happiness in Heaven. Amen.
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Latin Hymn
Ave maris stella,
Dei Mater alma,
atque semper Virgo,
felix caeli porta.
Sumens illud Ave
Gabrielis ore,
funda nos in pace,
mutans Hevae nomen.
Solve vincula reis,
profer lumen caecis
mala nostra pelle,
bona cuncta posce.
Monstra te esse matrem:
sumat per te preces,
qui pro nobis natus,
tulit esse tuus.
Virgo singularis,
inter omnes mites,
nos culpis solutos,
mites fac et castos.
Vitam praesta puram,
iter para tutum:
ut videntes Iesum
semper collaetemur.
Sit laus Deo Patri,
summo Christo decus,
Spiritui Sancto,
tribus honor unus. Amen.
English Translation
Hail, O Star of the ocean,
God’s own Mother blest,
ever sinless Virgin,
gate of heav’nly rest.
Taking that sweet Ave,
which from Gabriel came,
peace confirm within us,
changing Eve’s name.
Break the sinners’ fetters,
make our blindness day,
Chase all evils from us,
for all blessings pray.
Show thyself a Mother,
may the Word divine
born for us thine Infant
hear our prayers through thine.
Virgin all excelling,
mildest of the mild,
free from guilt preserve us
meek and undefiled.
Keep our life all spotless,
make our way secure
till we find in Jesus,
joy for evermore.
Praise to God the Father,
honor to the Son,
in the Holy Spirit,
be the glory one. Amen.
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From May to October, after one of the Masses on the 13th of the month.
Hymn
Immaculate Mary,
thy praises we sing;
Who reignest in splendor
with Jesus our King.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria!
Ave, ave, Maria!
In heaven, the blessed
thy glory proclaim;
On earth we, thy children,
invoke thy fair name.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria!
Ave, ave, Maria!
Processional Rosary
Introductory Prayers
The thirteenth of May
in the Cova d’Ira
Appeared, oh so brilliant,
the Virgin Maria.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria!
Ave, ave, Maria!
First Decade of the Rosary
The Virgin Maria
encircled with light;
Our own dearest Mother
and heaven’s delight.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria!
Ave, ave, Maria!
Second Decade of the Rosary
To three little shepherds
Our Lady appeared,
The light of her grace
to her Son souls endeared.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria!
Ave, ave, Maria!
Third Decade of the Rosary
With war and its evils
the whole world was seething,
And countless of thousands
with mourning and weeping.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria!
Ave, ave, Maria!
Fourth Decade of the Rosary
To save all poor souls
who had wandered astray,
With sweet words of comfort
she asked us to pray.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria!
Ave, ave, Maria!
Fifth Decade of the Rosary
By honoring Mary
and loving her Son,
The peace of the world
will most surely be won.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria!
Ave, ave, Maria!
Hymn
Salve Regina,
mater misericórdiae,
vita, dulcédo, et spes nostra, salve.
Ad te clamámus
exsúles fílii Hevae.
Ad te suspirámus,
gémentes et flentes
in hac lacrimárum valle.
Eia, ergo, advocáta nostra,
illos tuos misericórdes óculos
ad nos convérte.
Et Iesum,
benedíctum fructum ventris tui,
nobis post hoc exsílium osténde.
O clemens, O pia, O dulcis,
Virgo María.
Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
O Mary, Virgin most powerful and Mother of mercy, Queen of Heaven and refuge of sinners, we consecrate ourselves to thy Immaculate Heart. We consecrate to thee our very being and our whole life; all that we have, all that we love, all that we are. To thee we give our bodies, our hearts, and our souls; to thee we give our homes, our families, and our country. We desire that all that is in us and around us may belong to thee and may share in the benefits of thy motherly blessing. And that this act of consecration may be truly efficacious and lasting, we renew this day at thy feet the promises of our Baptism and our first Holy Communion. We pledge ourselves to profess courageously and at all times the truths of our holy Faith, and to live as befits Catholics who are duly submissive to all the directions of the Pope and the Bishops in communion with him. We pledge ourselves to keep the commandments of God and His Church, in particular to keep holy the Lord’s Day. We likewise pledge ourselves to make the consoling practices of the Christian religion, and above all, Holy Communion, an integral part of our lives, in so far as we shall be able to do so. Finally, we promise thee, O glorious Mother of God and loving Mother of men, to devote ourselves wholeheartedly to the spreading of devotion to thy Immaculate Heart, in order to hasten and assure, through the sovereignty of thy Immaculate Heart, the coming of the kingdom of the Sacred Heart of thy adorable Son, in our own hearts and in those of all men, in our country and in all the world, as in heaven, so on earth.
℟. Amen.
Recessional Hymn
Hail, Holy Queen
enthroned above, O Maria!
Hail, Mother of mercy
and of love, O Maria!
Triumph, all ye cherubim!
Sing with us, ye seraphim!
Heaven and earth resound the hymn:
Salve, salve, salve, Regina!
Our life, our sweetness,
here below, O Maria!
Our hope in sorrow
and in woe, O Maria!
Angels, all your praises bring,
Earth and heaven, with us sing,
All creation echoing:
Salve, salve, salve, Regina!
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After all Masses on the first Sunday in October. This prayer consecrates the North American Province of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter to Mary, Mother of God.
O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Help of Christians, behold this day before thy feet, the priests and seminarians of the Fraternity of Saint Peter, together with all those who, united with us as a spiritual family, place their hope and trust in thee. O Queen and Mother of all priests, it was by thee that Jesus, the Divine High Priest and Victim, was given unto the world, and He in turn has given thee to us.
Intercede, therefore, we implore thee, for us thy children, whom thou didst receive and accept at the foot of the Cross. Look with favor upon the work we seek to do for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. Obtain for us by thy prayers the graces we need as members of the one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, to be instructed and enlightened by her Magisterium, to be devoutly zealous for the graces of her Sacraments, and to be unfailingly loyal in our unity with the Vicar of thy Son.
This remainder is offered by FSSP priests and seminarians only:
Conscious of our own frailty, and of the hatred of the world for the works of light, we offer thee this day, and beg thee to take under thy patronage, our Priestly Fraternity. We invoke thee, this day and evermore, as our advocate and Queen, and devote ourselves and all those souls who seek our priestly care, together with all our works and all we have and are, to thy loving protection. To thee and to thy Immaculate Heart, we entrust and consecrate ourselves. Assist us in our endeavors to spread the Kingdom of thy Son, so that those who have strayed from the truth may once more attend to the teaching of the Church; those separated from her unity may return to the one true fold; those in sin may be restored to a state of grace; and those who have abandoned the Sacraments may return with fervor to receive them. O Virgin Most Pure, do thou, together with Saint Peter, and all the angels and saints, pray for us all. May thy love and protection be ever upon our Fraternity, so that we may faithfully proclaim the Holy Gospel and bring the Sacraments to ever more souls. Obtain for us by thy prayers that we may persevere in grace until death, when we may be united with thee, our loving Mother, in our heavenly home. Amen.
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After all Masses on the Feast of Christ the King. As the prayer is quite long, the priest prays it from the foot of the altar and the faithful join him silently.
Most Sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before Thine altar. We are Thine, and Thine we wish to be; but to be more surely united to Thee, behold each one of us freely consecrates ourselves today to Thy Most Sacred Heart.
Many indeed have never known Thee; Many too, despising Thy precepts, have rejected Thee. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to Thy Sacred Heart. Be Thou King, O Lord, not only of the faithful children, who have never forsaken Thee, but also of the prodigal children, who have abandoned Thee; Grant that they may quickly return to their Father’s house lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.
Be Thou King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and unity of faith, so that there may be but one flock and one Shepherd.
Be Thou King of all those who are still involved in the darkness of idolatry or of Islamism, and refuse not to draw them into the light and kingdom of God. Turn Thine eyes of mercy towards the children of the race, once Thy chosen people: of old they called down upon themselves the Blood of the Savior; may it now descend upon them a laver of redemption and of life.
Grant, O Lord, to Thy Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give peace and order to all nations, and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry; praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; To it be glory and honor forever.
℟. Amen.
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After all Masses on New Year’s Eve.
Latin Hymn
Te Deum laudamus: te Dominum confitemur.
Te aeternum Patrem omnis terra veneratur.
Tibi omnes Angeli; tibi caeli et universae Potestates;
Tibi Cherubim et Seraphim incessabili voce proclamant:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth.
Pleni sunt caeli et terra maiestatis gloriae tuae.
Te gloriosus Apostolorum chorus,
Te Prophetarum laudabilis numerus,
Te Martyrum candidatus laudat exercitus,
Te per orbem terrarum sancta confitetur Ecclesia:
Patrem immensae maiestatis:
Venerandum tuum verum et unicum Filium;
Sanctum quoque Paraclitum Spiritum.
Tu Rex gloriae, Christe.
Tu Patris sempiternus es Filius.
Tu ad liberandum suscepturus hominem, non horruisti Virginis uterum.
Tu, devicto mortis aculeo, aperuisti credentibus regna caelorum.
Tu ad dexteram Dei sedes, in gloria Patris.
Iudex crederis esse venturus.
Te ergo quaesumus, tuis famulis subveni: quos pretioso sanguine redemisti.
Aeterna fac cum sanctis tuis in gloria numerari.
Salvum fac populum tuum, Domine, et benedic hereditati tuae.
Et rege eos, et extolle illos usque in aeternum.
Per singulos dies benedicimus te.
Et laudamus nomen tuum in saeculum, et in saeculum saeculi.
Dignare, Domine, die isto sine peccato nos custodire.
Miserere nostri, Domine, miserere nostri.
Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, super nos, quemadmodum speravimus in te.
In te, Domine, speravi: non confundar in aeternum.
English Translation
We praise Thee, O God; we acknowledge Thee to be Our Lord.
Thee, the Father everlasting, all the earth doth worship.
To Thee all Angels; to Thee the Heavens and all the powers.
To Thee the Cherubim and Seraphim continually cry:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of the majesty of Thy glory.
The glorious choir of the Apostles praises Thee.
The admirable company of Prophets praises Thee.
The White-robed army of the Martyrs praises Thee.
Thee, the holy Church throughout the world doth confess:
The Father of infinite majesty;
Thine adorable, true, and only Son;
Also, the Holy Ghost, the Comforter.
Thou, O Christ, art the King of glory.
Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
Thou, having taken upon Thee to deliver man, didst not disdain the Virgin’s womb.
Thou, having overcome the sting of death, hast opened to believers the Kingdom of Heaven.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
Thou, we believe, art the judge to come.
We beseech Thee, therefore, to help Thy servants,
whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Precious Blood.
Make them to be numbered with Thy Saints in glory everlasting.
O Lord save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance.
And govern them, and exalt them forever.
Day by day we bless Thee.
And we praise Thy name forever; yea, forever and ever.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day, to keep us from sin.
Have mercy on us. O Lord, have mercy on us.
Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we have trusted in Thee.
In Thee, O Lord, have I trusted; let me not be confounded forever.
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who recite the Te Deum in thanksgiving. But a plenary indulgence is granted, if the hymn is recited publicly on the last day of the year.
Occasional Prayers
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, embolden me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds, hide me.
Never permit me to be parted from you.
From the evil Enemy, defend me.
At the hour of my death, call me.
And bid me come to you, that with your Saints I may praise you for age upon age.
℟. Amen.
Partial indulgence.
N.B.: To the faithful in danger of death, who cannot be assisted by a priest to bring them the Sacraments and impart the Apostolic Blessing with its plenary indulgence (see Manual of Indulgences, Concession 12), Holy Mother Church nevertheless grants a plenary indulgence to be acquired at the point of death, provided they are properly disposed and have been in the habit of reciting some prayers during their lifetime. The use of a crucifix or a cross to gain this indulgence is praiseworthy.
The condition: “provided they have been in the habit of reciting some prayers during their lifetime” supplies in such cases for the three usual conditions required for the gaining of a plenary indulgence. The plenary indulgence at the point of death can be acquired by the faithful, even if they have already obtained another plenary indulgence on the same day.
The following prayers are offered for a dying person, ideally in his presence. The plenary indulgence, noted above, is not dependent upon them. If a priest is not present, another can lead in his place. These prayers, of very old usage, are powerful means to obtain graces for the dying in his final hours.
Introduction
The priest, vested in surplice and violet stole, enters the room of the dying person, and says:
Peace be unto this house, and unto all who dwell therein.
He then sprinkles the dying person, the bed, and the bystanders with holy water, in the form of a Cross, saying the Asperges. He next presents a Crucifix to the dying person to be kissed, and exhorts him to look forward with hope to the attainment of eternal life, placing the Crucifix before his eyes to encourage him to have confidence in his eternal salvation. The priest then lights a candle, and, kneeling, with the bystanders devoutly recites the shorter litany, as follows:
Litany of the Dying
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for him (her).
All ye holy Angels and Archangels, pray for him (her).
Holy Abel, pray for him (her).
All ye choirs of the just, pray for him (her).
St. John the Baptist, pray for him (her).
St. Joseph, pray for him (her).
All ye holy Patriarchs and Prophets, pray for him (her).
St. Peter, pray for him (her).
St. Paul, pray for him (her).
St. Andrew, pray for him (her).
St. John, pray for him (her).
All ye holy Apostles and Evangelists, pray for him (her).
All ye holy Disciples of our Lord, pray for him (her).
All ye holy Innocents, pray for him (her).
St. Stephen, pray for him (her).
St. Lawrence, pray for him (her).
All ye holy Martyrs, pray for him (her).
St. Sylvester, pray for him (her).
St. Gregory, pray for him (her).
St. Augustine, pray for him (her).
All ye holy Bishops and Confessors, pray for him (her).
St. Benedict, pray for him (her).
St. Francis, pray for him (her).
St. Camillus, pray for him (her).
St. John of God, pray for him (her).
All ye holy Monks and Hermits, pray for him (her).
St. Mary Magdalene, pray for him (her).
St. Lucy, pray for him (her).
All ye holy Virgins and Widows, pray for him (her).
All ye holy Saints of God, make intercession for him (her).
Be merciful, spare him (her), O Lord.
Be merciful, deliver him (her), O Lord.
Be merciful, deliver him (her), O Lord.
From Thy anger, deliver him (her), O Lord.
From the danger of death, deliver him (her), O Lord.
From an ill end, deliver him (her), O Lord.
From the pains of hell, deliver him (her), O Lord.
From all evil, deliver him (her), O Lord.
From the power of the devil, deliver him (her), O Lord.
Through Thy nativity, deliver him (her), O Lord.
Through Thy cross and passion, deliver him (her), O Lord.
Through Thy death and burial, deliver him (her), O Lord.
Through Thy glorious resurrection, deliver him (her), O Lord.
Through Thy admirable ascension, deliver him (her), O Lord.
Through the grace of the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, deliver him (her), O Lord.
In the day of judgment, deliver him (her), O Lord.
We sinners, beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou spare him (her), we beseech Thee, hear us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Prayers for the Beginning of the Last Agony
When the last agony begins, the following prayers are said:
Let us pray. Depart, O Christian soul, out of this sinful world, in the name of God the Father Almighty, who created thee; in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who suffered and died for thee; in the name of the Holy Ghost, who sanctified thee; in the name of the glorious and blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God; in the name of blessed Joseph, the illustrious Spouse of the same Virgin; in the name of the Angels, Archangels, Thrones, Dominations, Virtues, Cherubim and Seraphim; in the name of the Patriarchs and Prophets, of the holy Apostles and Evangelists, of the holy Martyrs and Confessors, of the holy Monks and Hermits, of the holy Virgins and of all the Saints of God; let peace come to thee this day, and let thy abode be in holy Sion: Through the same Christ our Lord.
℟. Amen.
O Good and Merciful God! Who, according to Thy mercy and loving kindness, forgivest the sins of such as repent, and graciously remittest the guilt of their past offences, mercifully regard this Thy servant, N., and grant him (her) full remission of his (her) sins, who most earnestly begs it of Thee. Renew, O most loving Father! whatsoever hath been corrupted in him (her) through the frailty of human nature, or violated through the deceits of the devil; make him (her) a true member of the Church, and let him (her) partake of the fruit of Thy redemption. Have compassion, O Lord! on his (her) tears, and admit him (her), who hath no hope but in Thee, to the mystery of Thy reconciliation: Through Christ our Lord.
℟. Amen.
I recommend thee, dear brother (sister), to Almighty God, and commit thee to His mercy, whose creature thou art; that having paid the common debt of nature by giving up thy soul, thou mayest return to thy Maker, who formed thee out of the earth. May, therefore, the noble company of Angels meet thy soul at its departure; may the court of the Apostles receive thee; may the triumphant army of glorious Martyrs conduct thee; may the crowd of joyful Confessors surround thee; may the choir of blessed Virgins go before thee; and may a happy rest be thy portion in the company of the Patriarchs; may St. Joseph, the sweet Patron of the dying, inspire thee with great confidence; may the blessed Virgin Mary, the holy Mother of God, turn her eyes in gentle mercy upon thee, and may Jesus Christ appear to thee with a mild and cheerful countenance, and give thee a place among those who are to be in His presence forever. Mayest thou be a stranger to all who are condemned to darkness, chastised with flames and punished with torments. May God command thy wicked enemy, with all his evil spirits, to depart from thee. At thy approach, encircled by Angels, may the infernal spirits tremble and retire into the horrid confusion of eternal night. May God arise, and put his enemies to flight. May all who hate Him fly before His face; let them vanish like smoke; or as wax before the fire, so let sinners perish in the sight of God. But as to the just, let them rejoice and be happy in His presence. May all the demons of hell be filled with confusion and shame, and let no evil spirit dare to stop thy course to heaven. May Christ Jesus, who was crucified for thee, deliver thee from torments; may He deliver thee from eternal death, who for thy sake vouchsafed to die. May Christ Jesus, the Son of the living God, place thee in the ever-blooming garden of His paradise; and may He, the true Shepherd, own thee for one of His flock. May He wash away all thy sins, and place thee at His right hand, in the company of His elect. Oh! may it be thy happiness to behold thy Redeemer face to face; to be ever in His presence, in the blessed vision of that Eternal Truth which is the joy of the elect. And thus placed among those happy spirits, mayest thou be forever filled with heavenly delights.
℟. Amen.
℣. Receive Thy servant, O Lord, into the place of salvation, which he (she) hopes to attain through Thy mercy.
℟. Amen.
℣. Deliver, O Lord! the soul of Thy servant from all the pains of hell, and from all trials and tribulations.
℟. Amen.
℣. Deliver, O Lord! the soul of Thy servant, as Thou didst deliver Enoch and Elias from the common death of the world.
℟. Amen.
℣. Deliver, O Lord! the soul of Thy servant, as Thou didst deliver Noah from the flood.
℟. Amen.
℣. Deliver, O Lord! the soul of Thy servant, as Thou didst deliver Abraham from the midst of the Chaldeans.
℟. Amen.
℣. Deliver, O Lord! the soul of Thy servant, as Thou didst deliver Job from his afflictions.
℟. Amen.
℣. Deliver, O Lord! the soul of Thy servant, as Thou didst deliver Isaac from the sacrificing hand of his father.
℟. Amen.
℣. Deliver, O Lord! the soul of Thy servant, as Thou didst deliver Lot from Sodom and the flames of fire.
℟. Amen.
℣. Deliver, O Lord! the soul of Thy servant, as Thou didst deliver Moses from the hands of Pharaoh, King of Egypt.
℟. Amen.
℣. Deliver, O Lord! the soul of Thy servant, as Thou didst deliver Daniel from the lion’s den.
℟. Amen.
℣. Deliver, O Lord! the soul of Thy servant, as Thou didst deliver the three children from the fiery furnace and from the power of an unmerciful king.
℟. Amen.
℣. Deliver, O Lord! the soul of Thy servant, as Thou didst deliver Susanna from her false accusers.
℟. Amen.
℣. Deliver, O Lord! the soul of Thy servant, as Thou didst deliver David from the hands of Saul and Goliath.
℟. Amen.
℣. Deliver, O Lord! the soul of Thy servant, as Thou didst deliver Peter and Paul out of prison.
℟. Amen.
℣. And as Thou didst deliver that blessed virgin and martyr, Thecla, from most cruel torments, so vouchsafe to deliver the soul of this Thy servant, and bring it to the enjoyment of Thy heavenly bliss.
℟. Amen.
We commend to Thee, O Lord! the soul of this Thy servant N., and beseech Thee, O Jesus Christ, Redeemer of the world, that as in Thy love for him (her), Thou becamest man, so now Thou wouldst vouchsafe to admit him (her) into the number of the blessed. Remember, O Lord! that he (she) is Thy creature, not made by strange gods, but by Thee, the only true and living God; for there is no other true God but Thee, and none can work Thy wonders. Let his (her) soul find consolation in Thy sight, and remember not his (her) sins, nor any of those excesses which he (she) has fallen into, through the violence of passion and corruption. For although he (she) has sinned, yet he (she) still retains a true faith in Thee, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; he (she) has had a zeal for Thy honor, and faithfully adored Thee, his (her) God, and the Creator of all things.
Remember not, O Lord! the sins and offences of his (her) youth; but according to Thy tender mercy, be mindful of him (her) in the eternal glory. Open the heavens to him (her), and let the angels rejoice with him (her). Into Thy kingdom, O Lord, receive Thy servant. May St. Michael, the Archangel, the chief of the heavenly host, conduct him (her); let the holy angels come out to meet him (her), and carry him (her) to the city of the heavenly Jerusalem; may blessed Peter, the Apostle, to whom were given the keys of the kingdom of heaven, receive him (her); may holy Paul, the Apostle, and chosen vessel of election, assist him (her); may St. John, the beloved Disciple, to whom the secrets of heaven were revealed, intercede for him (her); may all the holy Apostles, to whom was given the power of binding and loosing, pray for him (her); may all the Saints and Elect of God, who, on earth, suffered torments for the sake of Christ, intercede for him (her); so that, being freed from the prison of his (her) body, he (she) may be admitted into the kingdom of heaven: through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with the Father and the Holy Ghost, world without end.
℟. Amen.
May the most clement Virgin Mary, Mother of God, the most loving consoler of the afflicted, commend to her Son, the soul of this servant N., so that through her maternal intercession he (she) may not fear the terrors of death, but in her company may joyfully enter the desired heavenly home.
℟. Amen.
I have recourse to thee, St. Joseph, Patron of the dying, who departed this life under the watchful care of Jesus and Mary, and by these dear pledges I earnestly commend to thee the soul of this servant N., in his (her) last agony, that, through thy protection, he (she) may be delivered from the snares of the devil and eternal death, and may deserve to attain to everlasting happiness, through the same Christ our Lord.
℟. Amen.
If the sick person continues in distress of agony, it is proper for the assistants to continue in prayer, repeating the preceding prayers, or saying the Gospel according to St. John (xvii, 1-26; xviii & xix), or Psalms 117 & 118, 1-32.
The Last Agony
When the soul is about to depart from the body, then more than ever ought they who are by to pray earnestly around the dying person’s bed; and if he be unable to speak, the HOLY NAME OF JESUS should constantly be invoked, and such words as the following again and again repeated in his ear.
Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. O Lord Jesus Christ, receive my spirit. Holy Mary, pray for me. O Mary, Mother of grace, Mother of mercy, do thou protect me from the enemy, and receive me at the hour of death. St. Joseph, pray for me. St. Joseph, in company with the Blessed Virgin, thy spouse, open to me the heart of divine mercy.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, assist me in my last agony.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, may I sleep and rest in peace in your holy company.
After Death
When the soul has departed, the following Responsory should be said:
℣. Come to his (her) assistance, ye Saints of God, come forth to meet him (her), ye Angels of the Lord:
℟. Receiving his (her) soul: Offering it in the sight of the Most High.
℣. May Christ receive thee, who hath called thee, and may the Angels bear thee into Abraham’s bosom.
℟. Receiving his (her) soul.
℣. Eternal rest grant unto him (her), O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him (her).
℟. Offering it in the sight of the Most High.
℣. Lord, have mercy on us.
℟. Christ, have mercy on us.
℣. Lord, have mercy on us.
Our Father (inaudibly until:).
℣. And lead us not into temptation.
℟. But deliver us from evil.
℣. Eternal rest grant unto him (her), O Lord,
℟. And let perpetual light shine upon him (her).
℣. From the gate of hell.
℟. Deliver his (her) soul, O Lord.
℣. May he (she) rest in peace.
℟. Amen.
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto Thee.
If a priest or a deacon leads:
℣. The Lord be with you.
℟. And with your spirit.
Let us pray. To Thee, O Lord, do we commend the soul of Thy servant N., that being dead to the world he (she) may live unto Thee; and whatsoever sins he (she) has committed through the frailty of his (her) mortal nature, do Thou, in Thy most merciful goodness, forgive and wash away. Through Christ our Lord.
℟. Amen.
Then the following prayer for those present may be added:
Grant, O Lord! that, while we here lament the departure of Thy servant, we may ever remember that we are most certain to follow him (her). Give us grace to prepare for the last hour by a good and holy life, that we may not be taken unprepared by sudden death, but may be ever on the watch, that, when Thou shalt call, we may go forth to meet the Bridegroom, and enter with Him into glory everlasting. Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.
℟. Amen.
Meanwhile, if the custom of the place calls for it, let the Passing Bell be rung, reminding all who hear it to pray for the departed soul. The body is then decently laid out, and a light placed before it. A small Crucifix is put in the hands of the deceased upon his breast, or the hands are themselves placed crosswise, while the body is sprinkled with holy water.
Download a printable copy. Print at home, double-sided, flipping on the short-edge.
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Ant. Remember, not O Lord our or our parents’ offences: neither take vengeance of our sins.
i. Psalm 6
[1] Unto the end, in verses, a psalm for David, for the octave.
[2] O LORD, rebuke me not in thy indignation, nor chastise me in thy wrath.
[3] Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak: heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.
[4] And my soul is troubled exceedingly: but thou, O Lord, how long?
[5] Turn to me, O Lord, and deliver my soul: O save me for thy mercy’s sake.
[6] For there is no one in death, that is mindful of thee: and who shall confess to thee in hell?
[7] I have laboured in my groanings, every night I will wash my bed: I will water my couch with my tears.
[8] My eye is troubled through indignation: I have grown old amongst all my enemies.
[9] Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity: for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping.
[10] The Lord hath heard my supplication: the Lord hath received my prayer.
[11] Let all my enemies be ashamed, and be very much troubled: let them be turned back, and be ashamed very speedily.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
ii. Psalm 31
[1] To David himself, understanding.
Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
[2] Blessed is the man to whom the Lord hath not imputed sin, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
[3] Because I was silent my bones grew old; whilst I cried out all the day long.
[4] For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: I am turned in my anguish, whilst the thorn is fastened.
[5] I have acknowledged my sin to thee, and my injustice I have not concealed. I said I will confess against myself my injustice to the Lord: and thou hast forgiven the wickedness of my sin.
[6] For this shall every one that is holy pray to thee in a seasonable time. And yet in a flood of many waters, they shall not come nigh unto him.
[7] Thou art my refuge from the trouble which hath encompassed me: my joy, deliver me from them that surround me.
[8] I will give thee understanding, and I will instruct thee in this way, in which thou shalt go: I will fix my eyes upon thee.
[9] Do not become like the horse and the mule, who have no understanding. With bit and bridle bind fast their jaws, who come not near unto thee.
[10] Many are the scourges of the sinner, but mercy shall encompass him that hopeth in the Lord.
[11] Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye just, and glory, all ye right of heart.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
iii. Psalm 37
[1] A psalm for David, for a remembrance of the sabbath.
[2] Rebuke me not, O Lord, in thy indignation; nor chastise me in thy wrath.
[3] For thy arrows are fastened in me: and thy hand hath been strong upon me.
[4] There is no health in my flesh, because of thy wrath: there is no peace for my bones, because of my sins.
[5] For my iniquities are gone over my head: and as a heavy burden are become heavy upon me.
[6] My sores are putrified and corrupted, because of my foolishness.
[7] I am become miserable, and am bowed down even to the end: I walked sorrowful all the day long.
[8] For my loins are filled with illusions; and there is no health in my flesh.
[9] I am afflicted and humbled exceedingly: I roared with the groaning of my heart.
[10] Lord, all my desire is before thee, and my groaning is not hidden from thee.
[11] My heart is troubled, my strength hath left me, and the light of my eyes itself is not with me.
[12] My friends and my neighbours have drawn near, and stood against me. And they that were near me stood afar off:
[13] And they that sought my soul used violence. And they that sought evils to me spoke vain things, and studied deceits all the day long.
[14] But I, as a deaf man, heard not: and as a dumb man not opening his mouth.
[15] And I became as a man that heareth not: and that hath no reproofs in his mouth.
[16] For in thee, O Lord, have I hoped: thou wilt hear me, O Lord my God.
[17] For I said: Lest at any time my enemies rejoice over me: and whilst my feet are moved, they speak great things against me.
[18] For I am ready for scourges: and my sorrow is continually before me.
[19] For I will declare my iniquity: and I will think for my sin.
[20] But my enemies live, and are stronger than I: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
[21] They that render evil for good, have detracted me, because I followed goodness.
[22] Forsake me not, O Lord my God: do not thou depart from me.
[23] Attend unto my help, O Lord, the God of my salvation.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
iv. Psalm 50
[1] Unto the end, a psalm of David,
[2] When Nathan the prophet came to him after he had sinned with Bethsabee.
[3] Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy. And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my iniquity.
[4] Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
[5] For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me.
[6] To thee only have I sinned, and have done evil before thee: that thou mayst be justified in thy words and mayst overcome when thou art judged.
[7] For behold I was conceived in iniquities; and in sins did my mother conceive me.
[8] For behold thou hast loved truth: the uncertain and hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast made manifest to me.
[9] Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.
[10] To my hearing thou shalt give joy and gladness: and the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice.
[11] Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
[12] Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within my bowels.
[13] Cast me not away from thy face; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
[14] Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit.
[15] I will teach the unjust thy ways: and the wicked shall be converted to thee.
[16] Deliver me from blood, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall extol thy justice.
[17] O Lord, thou wilt open my lips: and my mouth shall declare thy praise.
[18] For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would indeed have given it: with burnt offerings thou wilt not be delighted.
[19] A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
[20] Deal favourably, O Lord, in thy good will with Sion; that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up.
[21] Then shalt thou accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations and whole burnt offerings: then shall they lay calves upon thy altar.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who with repentant heart recite the psalm Have mercy on me.
v. Psalm 101
[1] The prayer of the poor man, when he was anxious, and poured out his supplication before the Lord.
[2] Hear O Lord, my prayer: and let my cry come to thee.
[3] Turn not away thy face from me: in the day when I am in trouble, incline thy ear to me. In what day soever I shall call upon thee, hear me speedily.
[4] For my days are vanished like smoke: and my bones are grown dry like fuel for the fire.
[5] I am smitten as grass, and my heart is withered: because I forgot to eat my bread.
[6] Through the voice of my groaning, my bone hath cleaved to my flesh.
[7] I am become like to a pelican of the wilderness: I am like a night raven in the house.
[8] I have watched, and am become as a sparrow all alone on the housetop.
[9] All the day long my enemies reproached me: and they that praised me did swear against me.
[10] For I did eat ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping.
[11] Because of thy anger and indignation: for having lifted me up thou hast thrown me down.
[12] My days have declined like a shadow, and I am withered like grass.
[13] But thou, O Lord, endurest for ever: and thy memorial to all generations.
[14] Thou shalt arise and have mercy on Sion: for it is time to have mercy on it, for the time is come.
[15] For the stones thereof have pleased thy servants: and they shall have pity on the earth thereof.
[16] And the Gentiles shall fear thy name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.
[17] For the Lord hath built up Sion: and he shall be seen in his glory.
[18] He hath had regard to the prayer of the humble: and he hath not despised their petition.
[19] Let these things be written unto another generation: and the people that shall be created shall praise the Lord:
[20] Because he hath looked forth from his high sanctuary: from heaven the Lord hath looked upon the earth.
[21] That he might hear the groans of them that are in fetters: that he might release the children of the slain:
[22] That they may declare the name of the Lord in Sion: and his praise in Jerusalem;
[23] When the people assemble together, and kings, to serve the Lord.
[24] He answered him in the way of his strength: Declare unto me the fewness of my days.
[25] Call me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are unto generation and generation.
[26] In the beginning, O Lord, thou foundedst the earth: and the heavens are the works of thy hands.
[27] They shall perish but thou remainest: and all of them shall grow old like a garment: And as a vesture thou shalt change them, and they shall be changed.
[28] But thou art always the selfsame, and thy years shall not fail.
[29] The children of thy servants shall continue: and their seed shall be directed for ever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
vi. Psalm 129
[1] Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord:
[2] Lord, hear my voice. Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
[3] If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities: Lord, who shall stand it.
[4] For with thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of thy law, I have waited for thee, O Lord. My soul hath relied on his word:
[5] My soul hath hoped in the Lord.
[6] From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord.
[7] Because with the Lord there is mercy: and with him plentiful redemption.
[8] And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who piously recite the Psalm Out of the depths.
vii. Psalm 142
[1] Hear, O Lord, my prayer: give ear to my supplication in thy truth: hear me in thy justice.
[2] And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight no man living shall be justified.
[3] For the enemy hath persecuted my soul: he hath brought down my life to the earth. He hath made me to dwell in darkness as those that have been dead of old:
[4] And my spirit is in anguish within me: my heart within me is troubled.
[5] I remembered the days of old, I meditated on all thy works: I meditated upon the works of thy hands.
[6] I stretched forth my hands to thee: my soul is as earth without water unto thee.
[7] Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit hath fainted away. Turn not away thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
[8] Cause me to hear thy mercy in the morning; for in thee have I hoped. Make the way known to me, wherein I should walk: for I have lifted up my soul to thee.
[9] Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, to thee have I fled:
[10] Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God. Thy good spirit shall lead me into the right land:
[11] For thy name’s sake, O Lord, thou wilt quicken me in thy justice. Thou wilt bring my soul out of trouble:
[12] And in thy mercy thou wilt destroy my enemies. And thou wilt cut off all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Ant. Remember, not O Lord our or our parents’ offences: neither take vengeance of our sins.
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.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
St. Michael, pray for us.
St. Gabriel, pray for us.
St. Raphael, pray for us.
All ye Holy Angels and Archangels, pray for us.
All ye Holy Orders of Blessed Spirits, pray for us.
St. John the Baptist, pray for us.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
All ye Holy Patriarchs and Prophets, pray for us.
St. Peter, pray for us.
St. Paul, pray for us.
St. Andrew, pray for us.
St. James, pray for us.
St. John, pray for us.
St. Thomas, pray for us.
St. James, pray for us.
St. Philip, pray for us.
St. Bartholomew, pray for us.
St. Matthew, pray for us.
St. Simon, pray for us.
St. Thaddeus, pray for us.
St. Matthias, pray for us.
St. Barnabas, pray for us.
St. Luke, pray for us.
St. Mark, pray for us.
All ye Holy Apostles and Evangelists, pray for us.
All ye Holy Disciples of Our Lord, pray for us.
All ye Holy Innocents, pray for us.
St. Stephen, pray for us.
St. Lawrence, pray for us.
St. Vincent, pray for us.
Ss. Fabian and Sebastian, pray for us.
Ss. John and Paul, pray for us.
Ss. Cosmas and Damian, pray for us.
Ss. Gervase and Protase, pray for us.
All ye Holy Martyrs, pray for us.
St. Sylvester, pray for us.
St. Gregory, pray for us.
St. Ambrose, pray for us.
St. Augustine, pray for us.
St. Jerome, pray for us.
St. Martin, pray for us.
St. Nicolas, pray for us.
All ye Holy Bishops and Confessors, pray for us.
All ye Holy Doctors, pray for us.
St. Anthony, pray for us.
St. Benedict, pray for us.
St. Bernard, pray for us.
St. Dominic, pray for us.
St. Francis, pray for us.
All ye Holy Priests and Levites, pray for us.
All ye Holy Monks and Hermits, pray for us.
St. Mary Magdalen, pray for us.
St. Agatha, pray for us.
St. Lucy, pray for us.
St. Agnes, pray for us.
St. Cecilia, pray for us.
St. Catherine, pray for us.
St. Anastasia, pray for us
All ye Holy Virgins and Widows, pray for us.
All ye Holy Men and Women, Saints of God, make intercession for us.
Be merciful, spare us, O Lord.
Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Lord.
From all evil, deliver us, O Lord.
From all sin, deliver us, O Lord.
From Thy wrath, deliver us, O Lord.
From a sudden and unprovided death, deliver us, O Lord.
From the snares of the devil, deliver us, O Lord.
From anger, and hatred, and all ill will, deliver us, O Lord.
From the spirit of fornication, deliver us, O Lord.
From lightning and tempest, deliver us, O Lord.
From the scourge of earthquake, deliver us, O Lord.
From pestilence, famine and war, deliver us, O Lord.
From everlasting death, deliver us, O Lord.
Through the Mystery of Thy Holy Incarnation, deliver us, O Lord.
Through Thine Advent, deliver us, O Lord.
Through Thy Nativity, deliver us, O Lord.
Through Thy Baptism and Holy Fasting, deliver us, O Lord.
Through Thy Cross and Passion, deliver us, O Lord.
Through Thy Death and Burial, deliver us, O Lord.
Through Thy Holy Resurrection, deliver us, O Lord.
Through Thine Admirable Ascension, deliver us, O Lord.
Through the Descent of the Holy Ghost the Paraclete, deliver us, O Lord.
In the day of judgment, deliver us, O Lord.
We sinners, we beseech Thee, hear us,
That Thou wouldst spare us, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst pardon us, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst bring us to true penance, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst govern and preserve Thy Holy Church, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst preserve the Bishop of the Apostolic See, and all ecclesiastical orders in holy religion, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst humble the enemies of Thy Holy Church, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst give peace and true concord to Christian kings and princes, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst grant peace and unity to all Christian people, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That thou wouldst bring back to the unity of the Church all those who have strayed away, and lead to the light of the Gospel all unbelievers, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst confirm and preserve us in Thy holy service, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst lift up our minds to heavenly desires, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst render eternal blessings to all our benefactors, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst deliver our souls, and the souls of our brethren, relations and benefactors, from eternal damnation, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst give and preserve the fruit of the earth, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst give eternal rest to all the faithful departed, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst graciously hear us, we beseech Thee, hear us.
Son of God, we beseech Thee, hear 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.
Christ hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Our Father (inaudibly until).
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil. Amen.
Psalm 69
Deign, O Lord, to rescue me; O Lord, make haste to help me.
Let them be put to shame and confounded who seek my life.
Let them be turned back in disgrace who desire my ruin.
Let them retire in their shame who say to me, “Aha, aha!”
But may all who seek Thee exult and be glad in Thee,
And may those who love Thy salvation say ever, “God be glorified!”
But I am afflicted and poor; O God, hasten to me!
Thou art my help and my deliverer; O Lord, hold not back!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
℣. Save Thy servants.
℟. Who trust in Thee, O my God.
℣. Be a tower of strength for us, O Lord,
℟. Against the attack of the enemy.
℣. Let not the enemy prevail against us.
℟. And let not the son of evil dare to harm us.
℣. O Lord, deal not with us according to our sins.
℟. Neither requite us according to our iniquities.
℣. Let us pray for our Sovereign Pontiff.
℟. The Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make him blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies.
℣. Let us pray for our benefactors.
℟. Deign, O Lord, for Thy name’s sake, to reward with eternal life all those who do us good. Amen.
℣. Let us pray for the faithful departed.
℟. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them.
℣. May they rest in peace.
℟. Amen.
℣. For our absent brethren.
℟. Save Thy servants, who trust in Thee, my God.
℣. Send them help, O Lord, from Thy sanctuary.
℟. And sustain them from Zion.
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto Thee.
If a priest is leading the prayers:
℣. The Lord be with you.
℟. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray. O God, whose property is always to have mercy and to spare, receive our petition, that we, and all Thy servants who are bound by the chains of sin, may, by the compassion of Thy goodness, be mercifully absolved.
Graciously hear, we beg Thee, O Lord, the prayers of Thy suppliants, and pardon the sins of those who confess to Thee, that in Thy bounty Thou may grant us both pardon and peace.
In Thy clemency, O Lord, show us Thy ineffable mercy, that Thou may both free us from all our sins, and deliver us from the punishments which we deserve for them.
O God, who by sin are offended and by penance pacified, mercifully regard the prayers of Thy suppliant people, and turn away the scourges of Thy anger, which we deserve for our sins.
Almighty, everlasting God, have mercy upon Thy servant N., our Sovereign Pontiff, and direct him according to Thy clemency into the way of everlasting salvation, that by Thy grace he may desire those things that are pleasing to Thee, and perform them with all his strength.
O God, from whom are holy desires, good counsels, and just works, give to Thy servants that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts be set to keep Thy commandments, and that, being removed from the fear of our enemies, we may pass our time in peace under Thy protection.
Burn our desires and our hearts with the fire of the Holy Ghost, O Lord, that we may serve Thee with a chaste body, and with a clean heart be pleasing to Thee.
O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of Thy servants and handmaids the remission of all their sins, that, through devout prayers, they may obtain the pardon which they always desired.
Direct, we beg Thee, O Lord, our actions by Thy holy inspirations, and carry them on by Thy gracious assistance, that every prayer and work of ours may begin always with Thee, and through Thou be happily ended.
Almighty and everlasting God, Thou hast dominion over the living and the dead, and Thou art merciful to all who Thou foreknowest will be Thine by faith and good works; we humbly beg Thee that those for whom we intend to pour forth our prayers, whether this present world still detain them in the flesh, or the world to come has already received them out of their bodies, may, through the intercession of all Thy Saints, by the clemency of Thy goodness, obtain the remission of all their sins. Through Christ our Lord.
℟. Amen.
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto Thee.
℣. May the almighty and merciful Lord graciously hear us.
℟. Amen.
℣. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
℟. Amen.
Partial indulgence.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Jesus, hear us.
Jesus, 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.
Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Splendor of the Father, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Brightness of Eternal Light, have mercy on us.
Jesus, King of Glory, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Sun of Justice, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Most Amiable, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Most Admirable, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Father of the world to come, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Mighty God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Angel of Great Counsel, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Most Powerful, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Most Patient, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Most Obedient, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Meek and Humble of Heart, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Lover of Chastity, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Lover of us, have mercy on us.
Jesus, God of Peace, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Author of Life, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Example of Virtues, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Zealous Lover of souls, have mercy on us.
Jesus, our God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, our Refuge, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Father of the poor, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Treasure of the faithful, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Good Shepherd, have mercy on us.
Jesus, True Light, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Eternal Wisdom, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Infinite Goodness, have mercy on us.
Jesus, our way and our life, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Joy of Angels, have mercy on us.
Jesus, King of Patriarchs, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Master of the Apostles, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Teacher of the Evangelists, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Strength of Martyrs, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Light of Confessors, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Purity of Virgins, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Crown of all Saints, have mercy on us.
Be merciful, spare us, O Jesus,
Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Jesus.
From all evil, deliver us, O Jesus.
From all sin, deliver us, O Jesus.
From Thy wrath, deliver us, O Jesus.
From the snares of the devil, deliver us, O Jesus.
From the spirit of fornication, deliver us, O Jesus.
From everlasting death, deliver us, O Jesus.
From the neglect of Thine inspirations, deliver us, O Jesus.
By the mystery of Thy Holy Incarnation, deliver us, O Jesus.
By Thy Nativity, deliver us, O Jesus.
By Thine Infancy, deliver us, O Jesus.
By Thy Most Divine Life, deliver us, O Jesus.
By Thy Labors, deliver us, O Jesus.
By Thine Agony and Passion, deliver us, O Jesus.
By Thy Cross and Dereliction, deliver us, O Jesus.
By Thy Sufferings, deliver us, O Jesus.
By Thy Death and Burial, deliver us, O Jesus.
By Thy Resurrection, deliver us, O Jesus.
By Thine Ascension, deliver us, O Jesus.
By Thine institution of the Most Holy Eucharist, deliver us, O Jesus.
By Thy joys, deliver us, O Jesus.
By Thy glory, deliver us, O Jesus.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Jesus,
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, hear us, O Jesus,
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Jesus.
Jesus, hear us.
Jesus, graciously hear us.
Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, Who has said: Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you; mercifully attend to our supplications, and grant us the gift of Thy divine charity, that we may ever love Thee with our whole heart and with all our words and deeds, and never cease from praising Thee.
Make us, O Lord, to have a perpetual fear and love of Thy holy Name, for Thou never failest to help and govern those whom Thou dost bring up in Thy steadfast fear and love: who livest and reignest forever and ever.
℟. Amen.
Partial indulgence.
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 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 Ghost 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, Holy 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, vessel 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 praises, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, King and center of all hearts, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Divinity, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father is 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 abounding in mercy, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, rich unto all who call upon Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, atonement for our sins, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, filled with reproaches, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offenses, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, made obedient unto 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 Reconciliation, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who hope in Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, delight of all the Saints, have mercy on 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.
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 He offers Thee in the name of sinners; and appeased by worthy homage, pardon those who implore Thy mercy, in Thy Great Goodness in the name of the same Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Partial indulgence.
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 Ghost, 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 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, O Lord.
Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, in Thy Blood.
And made us a kingdom for our God.
Let us pray. Almighty and eternal God, Thou hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son the Redeemer of the world and willed to be appeased by His blood. Grant, we beg, that we may worthily adore this price of our salvation and through its power be safeguarded from the evils of the present life so that we may rejoice in its fruits forever in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord.
℟. Amen.
Partial indulgence.
Lord have mercy.
Christ 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 Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
Mother of Christ, pray for us.
Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Mother of mercy, pray for us.
Mother of divine grace, pray for us.
Mother of hope, pray for us.
Mother most pure, pray for us.
Mother most chaste, pray for us.
Mother inviolate, pray for us.
Mother undefiled, pray for us.
Mother most amiable, pray for us.
Mother most admirable, pray for us.
Mother of good counsel, pray for us.
Mother of our Creator, pray for us.
Mother of our Saviour, pray for us.
Virgin most prudent, pray for us.
Virgin most venerable, pray for us.
Virgin most renowned, pray for us.
Virgin most powerful, pray for us.
Virgin most merciful, pray for us.
Virgin most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of justice, pray for us.
Seat of wisdom, pray for us.
Cause of our joy, pray for us.
Spiritual vessel, pray for us.
Vessel of honour, pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us.
Mystical rose, pray for us.
Tower of David, pray for us.
Tower of ivory, pray for us.
House of gold, pray for us.
Ark of the Covenant, pray for us.
Gate of heaven, pray for us.
Morning star, pray for us.
Health of the sick, pray for us.
Refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Comfort of the afflicted, pray for us.
Help of Christians, pray for us.
Queen of Angels, pray for us.
Queen of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Queen of Prophets, pray for us.
Queen of Apostles, pray for us.
Queen of Martyrs, pray for us.
Queen of Confessors, pray for us.
Queen of Virgins, pray for us.
Queen of all Saints, pray for us.
Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us.
Queen assumed into heaven, pray for us.
Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.
Queen of families, pray for us.
Queen of peace, 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.
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, that we, Thy servants, may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body; and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from present sorrow, and obtain eternal joy. Through Christ our Lord.
℟. Amen.
Partial indulgence.
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 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 the Patriarchs, pray for us.
Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.
Chaste guardian of the Virgin, pray for us.
Foster father of the Son of God, pray for us.
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 artisans, pray for us.
Glory of domestic 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 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.
He made him the lord of His household.
And prince over all His possessions.
Let us pray. O God, Who in Thine ineffable providence didst choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most Holy Mother, grant that as we venerate him as our protector on earth, we may deserve to have him as our intercessor in Heaven, Thou Who livest and reignest forever and ever.
℟. Amen.
Partial indulgence.
For private use only.
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, deliver me, O 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 go 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.
The Chaplet of St. Michael the Archangel was given to a Carmelite nun, Sr. Antónia d’Astónaco, in 1751. It was later approved and promoted by Pope Bl. Pius IX, in 1850. St. Michael made the following promises to those who recited the chaplet: Whoever would practice this devotion in his honour would have, when approaching the Holy Table, an escort of nine angels chosen from each of the nine Choirs. In addition, for the daily recital of these nine salutations, he promised his continual assistance and that all the holy angels during life, and after death deliverance from Purgatory for themselves and all their relations.
Introduction
℣. O God, come to my assistance.
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be.
First Salutation: Seraphim
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Seraphim, may the Lord make us worthy to burn with the fire of perfect charity. Amen.
Our Father.
Hail Mary. (Three times.)
Second Salutation: Cherubim
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Cherubim, may the Lord vouchsafe to grant us grace to leave the ways of wickedness to run in the paths of Christian perfection. Amen.
Our Father.
Hail Mary. (Three times.)
Third Salutation: Thrones
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Thrones, may the Lord infuse into our hearts a true and sincere spirit of humility. Amen.
Our Father.
Hail Mary. (Three times.)
Fourth Salutation: Dominions
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Dominions, may the Lord give us grace to govern our senses and subdue our unruly passions. Amen.
Our Father.
Hail Mary. (Three times.)
Fifth Salutation: Virtues
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Virtues, may the Lord preserve us from evil and suffer us not to fall into temptation. Amen.
Our Father.
Hail Mary. (Three times.)
Sixth Salutation: Powers
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Powers, may the Lord vouchsafe to protect our souls against the snares and temptations of the devil. Amen.
Our Father.
Hail Mary. (Three times.)
Seventh Salutation: Principalities
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Principalities, may God fill our souls with a true spirit of obedience. Amen.
Our Father.
Hail Mary. (Three times.)
Eighth Salutation: Archangels
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Archangels, may the Lord give us perseverance in faith and in all good works, in order that we gain the glory of Paradise. Amen.
Our Father.
Hail Mary. (Three times.)
Ninth Salutation: Angels
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Angels, may the Lord grant us to be protected by them in this mortal life and conducted hereafter to eternal glory. Amen.
Our Father.
Hail Mary. (Three times.)
Conclusion
In honour of St. Michael: Our Father.
In honour of St. Gabriel: Our Father.
In honour of St. Raphael: Our Father.
In honour of our Guardian Angel: Our Father.
O Glorious Prince St. Michael, chief and commander of the heavenly hosts, guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits, servant in the house of the Divine King, and our admirable conductor, thou who dost shine with excellence and superhuman virtue, vouchsafe to deliver us from all evil, who turn to thee with confidence, and enable us by thy gracious protection to serve God more and more faithfully every day.
℣. Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ.
℟. That we may be made worthy of His promises.
Almighty and Everlasting God, Who by a prodigy of goodness and a merciful desire for the salvation of all men, hast appointed the most glorious Archangel, St. Michael, Prince of Thy Church, make us worthy, we beseech Thee, to be delivered from all our enemies that none of them may harass us at the hour of death, but that we may be conducted by him into the august presence of Thy Divine Majesty. This we beg through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Said fifteen times daily from November 30 (the Feast of St. Andrew) to December 24 (the Vigil of the Nativity).
Parents should pray the Consecration for each of their children at least once during their lives. They can render no greater service to their children than to implore their salvation; indeed, they will of necessity render almighty God an account of their efforts in this regard.
O Jesus, only Son of God, only Son of Mary, I come to Thee as an unworthy parent, and I humbly consecrate to Thy Most Sacred Heart – now and for eternity – the soul of my child N. I surrender him (her) to Thy sweet yoke and place him (her) at the foot of Thy Cross. On his (her) behalf, I offer to Thee the most loving Heart of Thy Most Holy Mother Mary, which is more precious and pleasing to Thee than all hearts, and I beg Thee – by her merits – to show Thyself to him (her) a Savior.
O Mary, Mother of Jesus, I come to Thee as an unworthy parent, and I humbly consecrate to thy Most Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart – now and for eternity – the soul of my child N. On his (her) behalf, I offer to thee the most adorable Heart of Thy Son Jesus, who is the life, love, and joy of Thine own Heart, and I beg Thee who art our Mother in the order of grace – by the infinite merits of thy Divine Son – to obtain the grace of salvation for my child.
O glorious St. Joseph, I come to thee and ask thee to take under thy special protection my child N. I consecrate him (her) to thee today, that through this consecration he (she) may become thy foster child. Guard him (her), guide his (her) steps in life, and form his (her) heart after the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
O glorious St. Joseph, who felt the tribulation and worry of a parent when the child Jesus was lost, protect him (her) for time and eternity. Mayest thou be his (her) father and counselor. Preserve him (her) from the corruption of this world, and obtain for us the grace to be united in heaven forever. Amen.
Blessed be the Most Sacred and Loving Heart of Jesus and the most Immaculate Heart of Mary in eternity and forever. St Joseph, pray for us. Amen.
Download a printable copy. Print at home, double-sided, flipping on the short-edge.
View PDF online. May be used for professional printing.
The family gathers in the presence of the image of the Sacred Heart. The priest may give a short instruction on the history and practice of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Afterwards, all turn towards the sacred image and the Enthronement of Our Lord as King of the home and family begins.
All kneel as the priest blesses the image.
℣. Our help is in the Name of the Lord.
℟. Who made Heaven and earth.
℣. The Lord be with you.
℟. And with your spirit.
Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, who dost approve the painting and sculpturing of the images of Thy Saints, so that as often as we gaze upon them we are reminded to imitate their deeds and sanctity; vouchsafe, we implore Thee, to bless ✠ and sanctify ✠ this image made in honour and in memory of the Most Sacred Heart of Thine only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ; and grant, that whosoever in its presence, will suppliantly worship and honour the Most Sacred Heart of Thine only-begotten Son, may obtain through His merits and intercession grace in this life and everlasting glory in the world to come. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The priest then sprinkles the image with holy water.
All stand & recite the Creed.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into Hell. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into Heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
All kneel as the father of the family prays.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, who didst make known to St. Margaret Mary Thine ardent desire to reign over Christian families, behold us assembled here today to proclaim Thine absolute dominion over our home.
Henceforth we resolve to lead a life like unto Thine, so that amongst us may flourish the virtues for which Thou didst promise peace on earth, and for this end we will banish from our midst the spirit of the world, which Thou dost abhor so much.
Thou wilt reign over our understanding by the simplicity of our faith. Thou wilt reign over our hearts by an ardent love for Thee; and may the flame of this love be kept burning in our hearts by the frequent reception of the Holy Eucharist.
Deign, O Divine Heart, to preside over our meetings, to bless our undertakings, both spiritual and temporal, to banish all worry and care, to sanctify our joys and soothe our sorrows. If any of us should ever have the misfortune to grieve Thy Sacred Heart, remind him of Thy goodness and mercy toward the repentant sinner.
Lastly, when the hour of separation will sound and death will plunge our home into mourning, then shall we all and every one of us be resigned to Thine eternal decrees, and seek consolation in the thought that we shall one day be reunited in Heaven, where we shall sing the praises and blessings of Thy Sacred Heart for all eternity.
May the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the glorious Patriarch St. Joseph offer Thee this our Consecration, and remind us of the same all the days of our life.
Glory to the Divine Heart of Jesus, our King and our Father!
All continue kneeling & pray together.
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Glory be to Thee, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for the infinite mercy Thou hast bestowed upon the privileged members of this family. Thou hast chosen it from thousands of others, as a recipient of Thy love and a sanctuary of reparation wherein Thy most loving Heart shall find consolation for the ingratitude of men.
How great, O Lord Jesus, is the confusion of this portion of Thy faithful flock as we accept the unmerited honour of seeing Thee preside over our family! Silently we adore Thee, overjoyed to see Thee sharing, under the same roof, the toils, cares and joys of Thy children! It is true, we are not worthy that Thou shouldst enter our humble abode, but Thou hast already reassured us, when Thou didst reveal Thy Sacred Heart to us, teaching us to find in the wound of Thy Sacred Side the source of grace and life everlasting. In this loving and trusting spirit we give ourselves to Thee, Thou who art unchanging Life.
Remain with us, Most Sacred Heart, for we feel an irresistible desire to love Thee and make Thee loved. May our home be for Thee a haven as sweet as that of Bethany, where Thou canst find rest in the midst of loving friends, who, like Mary, have chosen the better part in the loving intimacy of Thy Heart!
May this home be for Thee, O beloved Saviour, a humble but hospitable refuge during the exile imposed on Thee by Thine enemies.
Come, then, Lord Jesus, come, for here as at Nazareth, we have a tender love for the Virgin Mary, Thy sweet Mother whom Thou hast given us to be our Mother. Come, to fill with Thy sweet presence, the vacancies which misfortune and death have wrought in our midst.
O most faithful Friend, hadst Thou been here in the midst of sorrow, our tears would have been less bitter; the comforting balm of peace would then have soothed these hidden wounds, which are known to Thee alone.
Come, for even now perhaps, there is drawing near for us the twilight of tribulation, and the decline of the passing days of our youth and our illusions.
Stay with us, for already it is late, and a perverse world seeks to envelop us in the darkness of its denials while we wish to adhere to Thee, who alone art the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Repeat for us those words Thou didst utter of old: This day I must abide in this home. Yes, dear Lord, take up Thine abode with us, so that we may live in Thy love and in Thy presence, we who proclaim Thee as our King, and wish no other!
May Thy triumphant Heart, O Jesus, be forever loved, blessed, and glorified in this home! Thy Kingdom Come! Amen!
All stand & pray together the Salve Regina.
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 unto us the blessed Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.
Consecration to Our Lady
Heavenly Mother Mary, I come to thy most lovable and sweet Heart, refuge of sinners. I offer myself to thee and consecrate my entire life to thine Immaculate Heart. In this consecration of my total person, I offer thee my body and soul, with all their miseries and weaknesses. I offer thee my heart, with all its affections and desires, my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings. I offer thee every temptation that comes to me, so that my every thought and desire may be purified through thy holy intercession.
My Queen, my Mother, I offer thee in consecration, all the sufferings which come into my life, both physical and spiritual. I offer thee especially my death, with all that will accompany it. I offer thee my last agony. Accept all this, my Mother, and take all into thine Immaculate Heart, as I give to thee, irrevocably, all that I am and all that I have, together with all property and possessions. I offer thee my family and all who are near and dear to me. Take them all into thine Immaculate Heart, and keep us every one in thy Son Jesus Christ.
I renew today the vows of my Baptism and Confirmation. Keep me ever faithful to God and to His Holy Church, and loyal in obedience to the Holy Father, the Pope. I desire to pray the Rosary properly, meditating on its mysteries. I desire to participate in the Sacrifice of thy Son, perpetuated at Holy Mass, and receive Him frequently, even daily, in Holy Communion. I attach special importance to the First Saturday of the month in reparation to thine Immaculate Heart, and I will work for the conversion of sinners. I will strive to live daily the spirit of Eucharistic reparation.
O Queen of the Angels, my Queen and my Mother, I humbly prostrate myself before thee, as I approach thee with my Guardian Angel. I desire all the holy Angels, and especially my Guardian, to venerate thee always as Queen of Heaven and earth. Command my Guardian and all holy Angels, to keep me always in thy love, and in the union of grace with thy Divine Son. Send forth thy Angels to assist me in spreading devotion to thine Immaculate Heart, so that through thine intercession, there may be peace in the world and in the Church, and the Kingdom of Christ may come on earth, as it is in Heaven. Amen.
The ceremony concludes with a short litany.
℣. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
℟. Have mercy on us.
℣. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
℟. Have mercy on us.
℣. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
℟. Have mercy on us.
℣. Immaculate Heart of Mary,
℟. Pray for us.
℣. St. Joseph,
℟. Pray for us.
℣. St. Margaret Mary,
℟. Pray for us.
℣. Glory to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, forever and ever!
℟. Amen.
The priest then gives his blessing.
May the ✠ blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, descend upon you and remain forever. Amen.
Then the members of the family and the priest sign the Certificate of the Enthronement, which should be framed and hung somewhere near the image of the Sacred Heart or kept with the family records.
Download a printable copy. Print at home, double-sided, flipping on the short-edge.
View PDF online. May be used for professional printing.
Consecration to Our Lady
The manner and meaning of this Consecration are detailed in the work of St. Louis de Montfort, True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It should be read before proceeding with the Consecration. The following is an index of the prayers and acts proper to the various periods leading up to the Consecration.
St. Louis de Montfort advises us to prepare for the Consecration by exercises which certainly are not compulsory, but which assure its great efficacy, because of the purity and other dispositions which they tend to develop in our souls.
Two different periods are assigned for these exercises: a preliminary period of twelve days, during which we endeavor “to free ourselves from the spirit of the world;” then a second period of three weeks: the first, devoted to the knowledge of ourselves; the second, to knowledge of the Blessed Virgin; and the third, to knowledge of Jesus Christ.
These periods mentioned by St. Louis de Montfort do not constitute a rigorous and unchangeable division. According to circumstances, they may be lengthened or shortened. The faithful often take but three days to prepare for the annual renewal of their Consecration.
The object of this Consecration is to cast off the spirit of the world, which is contrary to that of Jesus Christ, in order to acquire fully the spirit of Jesus Christ through the Blessed Virgin. Hence the practices suggested by St. Louis de Montfort: renouncement of the world, knowledge of self, of the Blessed Virgin, and of Jesus Christ.
Renouncement of the World
“The first part of the preparation should be employed in casting off the spirit of the world, which is contrary to that of Jesus Christ.”
The spirit of the world consists essentially in the denial of the supreme dominion of God, a denial which is manifested in practice by sin and disobedience; thus, it is principally opposed to the spirit of Christ, which is also that of Mary.
It manifests itself by the concupiscence of the flesh, by the concupiscence of the eyes, and by the pride of life; by disobedience to God’s laws and the abuse of created things. Its works are, first, sin in all its forms; and then all else by which the devil leads to sin; works which bring error and darkness to the mind and seduction and corruption to the will. Its pomps are the splendor and the charms employed by the devil to render sin alluring in persons, places and things.
Prayers to be said every day: Veni, Creator Spiritus. Ave Maris Stella.
Reading suitable for the twelve days: Gospel according to St. Matthew, Chapters 5, 6, 7. Imitation of Christ, Book I, Chapters 13, 18, 25; Book III, Chapters 10, 40.
Spiritual Exercises: Examine your conscience, pray, practice renouncement, mortification, purity of heart; this purity is the indispensable condition for contemplating God in Heaven, to see Him on earth and to know Him by the light of faith.
Veni, Creator Spiritus
Come, O Creator Spirit blest,
And in our souls take up Thy rest,
Come with Thy grace and Heavenly aid,
And fill the hearts which Thou hast made.
Great Paraclete! To Thee we cry,
O highest gift of God most high!
O fount of life! O fire of love!
And sweet anointing from above.
Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts art known,
The finger of God’s hand we own;
The promise of the Father, Thou!
Who dost the tongue with power endow.
Kindle our senses from above,
And make our hearts o’erflow with love;
With patience firm and virtue high,
The weakness of our flesh supply.
Far from us drive the foe we dread,
And grant us Thy true peace instead;
So shall we not, with Thee for guide,
Turn from the path of life aside.
Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow
The Father and the Son to know,
And Thee through endless times confessed
Of both the Eternal Spirit blest.
All glory while the ages run
Be to the Father and the Son
Who rose from death; the same to Thee,
O Holy Ghost, eternally. Amen.
Ave, Maris Stella
Hail, O Star of the ocean
God’s own Mother blest,
ever sinless Virgin,
gate of heavenly rest.
Taking that sweet Ave,
which from Gabriel came,
peace confirm within us,
changing Eve’s name.
Break the sinners’ fetters,
make our blindness day,
Chase all evils from us,
for all blessings pray.
Show thyself a Mother,
may the Word divine
born for us thine Infant
hear our prayers through thine.
Virgin all excelling,
mildest of the mild,
free from guilt preserve us
meek and undefiled.
Keep our life all spotless,
make our way secure
till we find in Jesus,
joy for evermore.
Praise to God the Father,
honor to the Son,
in the Holy Spirit,
be the glory one. Amen.
Knowledge of Self
“During the first week, they should employ all their prayers and pious actions in asking for a knowledge of themselves and for contrition for their sins; and they should do this in a spirit of humility.”
During this week, we shall consider not so much the opposition that exists between the spirit of Jesus and ours, as the miserable and humiliating state to which our sins have reduced us. Moreover, the True Devotion being an easy, short, sure and perfect way to arrive at that union with Our Lord which is Christian perfection, we shall enter seriously upon this way, strongly convinced of our misery and helplessness. But how to attain this without a knowledge of ourselves?
Prayers: Litany of the Holy Ghost. Ave Maris Stella. Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Reading: Gospel according to St. Matthew, Chapters 24, 25. Gospel according to St. Luke, Chapters 11, 13, 16, 17, 18. Imitation of Christ, Book I, Chapter 24; Book II, Chapter 5; Book III, Chapters 7, 8, 13, 20, 30, 47. True Devotion to Mary, Nos. 78-82, 227, 228.
Spiritual Exercises: Prayers, examens, reflection, acts of renouncement of our own will, of contrition for our sins, of contempt of self – all performed at the feet of Mary, for it is from her we hope for light to know ourselves, and it is near her that we shall be able to measure the abyss of our miseries without despairing.
Litany of the Holy Ghost
(for private devotion only)
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Father all powerful, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world, save us.
Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless Life of both, sanctify us.
Holy Trinity, hear us.
Holy Ghost, Who proceedest from the Father and the Son, enter our hearts.
Holy Ghost, Who art equal to the Father and the Son, enter our hearts.
Promise of God the Father, have mercy on us.
Ray of heavenly light, have mercy on us.
Author of all good, have mercy on us.
Source of Heavenly water, have mercy on us.
Consuming Fire, have mercy on us.
Ardent Charity, have mercy on us.
Spiritual Unction, have mercy on us.
Spirit of love and truth, have mercy on us.
Spirit of wisdom and understanding, have mercy on us.
Spirit of counsel and fortitude, have mercy on us.
Spirit of knowledge and piety, have mercy on us.
Spirit of the fear of the Lord, have mercy on us.
Spirit of grace and prayer, have mercy on us.
Spirit of peace and meekness, have mercy on us.
Spirit of modesty and innocence, have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, the Comforter, have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier, have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, Who governest the Church, have mercy on us.
Gift of God the Most High, have mercy on us.
Spirit Who fillest the universe, have mercy on us.
Spirit of the adoption of the children of God, have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, inspire us with horror of sin.
Holy Ghost, come and renew the face of the earth.
Holy Ghost, shed Thy light into our souls.
Holy Ghost, engrave Thy law in our hearts.
Holy Ghost, inflame us with the flame of Thy love.
Holy Ghost, open to us the treasures of Thy graces.
Holy Ghost, teach us to pray well.
Holy Ghost, enlighten us with Thy Heavenly inspirations.
Holy Ghost, lead us in the way of salvation.
Holy Ghost, grant us the only necessary knowledge.
Holy Ghost, inspire in us the practice of good.
Holy Ghost, grant us the merits of all virtues.
Holy Ghost, make us persevere in justice.
Holy Ghost, be our everlasting reward.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, send us Thy Holy Ghost.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, pour down into our souls the gifts of the Holy Ghost.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant us the Spirit of wisdom and piety.
℣. Come, Holy Ghost! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful,
℟. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.
Let Us Pray. Grant, O merciful Father, that Thy Divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, liveth and reigneth forever and ever. Amen.
Ave, Maris Stella
Hail, O Star of the ocean
God’s own Mother blest,
ever sinless Virgin,
gate of heavenly rest.
Taking that sweet Ave,
which from Gabriel came,
peace confirm within us,
changing Eve’s name.
Break the sinners’ fetters,
make our blindness day,
Chase all evils from us,
for all blessings pray.
Show thyself a Mother,
may the Word divine
born for us thine Infant
hear our prayers through thine.
Virgin all excelling,
mildest of the mild,
free from guilt preserve us
meek and undefiled.
Keep our life all spotless,
make our way secure
till we find in Jesus,
joy for evermore.
Praise to God the Father,
honor to the Son,
in the Holy Spirit,
be the glory one. Amen.
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Lord have mercy.
Christ 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 Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
Mother of Christ, pray for us.
Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Mother of mercy, pray for us.
Mother of divine grace, pray for us.
Mother of hope, pray for us.
Mother most pure, pray for us.
Mother most chaste, pray for us.
Mother inviolate, pray for us.
Mother undefiled, pray for us.
Mother most amiable, pray for us.
Mother most admirable, pray for us.
Mother of good counsel, pray for us.
Mother of our Creator, pray for us.
Mother of our Saviour, pray for us.
Virgin most prudent, pray for us.
Virgin most venerable, pray for us.
Virgin most renowned, pray for us.
Virgin most powerful, pray for us.
Virgin most merciful, pray for us.
Virgin most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of justice, pray for us.
Seat of wisdom, pray for us.
Cause of our joy, pray for us.
Spiritual vessel, pray for us.
Vessel of honour, pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us.
Mystical rose, pray for us.
Tower of David, pray for us.
Tower of ivory, pray for us.
House of gold, pray for us.
Ark of the Covenant, pray for us.
Gate of heaven, pray for us.
Morning star, pray for us.
Health of the sick, pray for us.
Refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Comfort of the afflicted, pray for us.
Help of Christians, pray for us.
Queen of Angels, pray for us.
Queen of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Queen of Prophets, pray for us.
Queen of Apostles, pray for us.
Queen of Martyrs, pray for us.
Queen of Confessors, pray for us.
Queen of Virgins, pray for us.
Queen of all Saints, pray for us.
Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us.
Queen assumed into heaven, pray for us.
Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.
Queen of families, pray for us.
Queen of peace, 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.
℣. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, that we, Thy servants, may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body; and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from present sorrow, and obtain eternal joy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Knowledge of the Blessed Virgin Mary
“They shall devote the second week to the knowledge of the Blessed Virgin.”
We must unite ourselves to Jesus through Mary – this is the characteristic of our devotion; therefore, St. Louis de Montfort asks that the second week be employed in acquiring a knowledge of the Blessed Virgin.
Mary is our sovereign and our mediatrix, our Mother and our mistress. Let us then endeavor to know the effects of this royalty, of this mediation, and of this maternity, as well as the grandeurs and prerogatives which are the foundation or consequences thereof. Our Mother is also a perfect mold wherein we are to be molded in order to make her intentions and dispositions ours. This we cannot achieve without studying the interior life of Mary; namely, her virtues, her sentiments, her actions, her participation in the mysteries of Christ and her union with Him.
Prayers: Litany of the Holy Ghost. Ave Maris Stella. Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary. St. Louis de Montfort’s Prayer to Mary. The Holy Rosary.
Reading: Gospel according to St. Luke, Chap. 1, 2. Gospel according to St. John, Chapter 2. Treatise on True Devotion, Nos. 1-48, 90-93, 105-182, 213-225. Secret of Mary, Nos. 23-34.
Spiritual Exercises: Acts of love, pious affections for the Blessed Virgin, imitation of her virtues, especially her profound humility, her lively faith, her blind obedience, her continual mental prayer, her mortification in all things, her Divine purity, her ardent charity, her heroic patience, her angelic sweetness and her Divine wisdom. “These being,” as St. Louis de Montfort says, “the ten principal virtues of the Blessed Virgin.”
Litany of the Holy Ghost
(for private devotion only)
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Father all powerful, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world, save us.
Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless Life of both, sanctify us.
Holy Trinity, hear us.
Holy Ghost, Who proceedest from the Father and the Son, enter our hearts.
Holy Ghost, Who art equal to the Father and the Son, enter our hearts.
Promise of God the Father, have mercy on us.
Ray of heavenly light, have mercy on us.
Author of all good, have mercy on us.
Source of Heavenly water, have mercy on us.
Consuming Fire, have mercy on us.
Ardent Charity, have mercy on us.
Spiritual Unction, have mercy on us.
Spirit of love and truth, have mercy on us.
Spirit of wisdom and understanding, have mercy on us.
Spirit of counsel and fortitude, have mercy on us.
Spirit of knowledge and piety, have mercy on us.
Spirit of the fear of the Lord, have mercy on us.
Spirit of grace and prayer, have mercy on us.
Spirit of peace and meekness, have mercy on us.
Spirit of modesty and innocence, have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, the Comforter, have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier, have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, Who governest the Church, have mercy on us.
Gift of God the Most High, have mercy on us.
Spirit Who fillest the universe, have mercy on us.
Spirit of the adoption of the children of God, have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, inspire us with horror of sin.
Holy Ghost, come and renew the face of the earth.
Holy Ghost, shed Thy light into our souls.
Holy Ghost, engrave Thy law in our hearts.
Holy Ghost, inflame us with the flame of Thy love.
Holy Ghost, open to us the treasures of Thy graces.
Holy Ghost, teach us to pray well.
Holy Ghost, enlighten us with Thy Heavenly inspirations.
Holy Ghost, lead us in the way of salvation.
Holy Ghost, grant us the only necessary knowledge.
Holy Ghost, inspire in us the practice of good.
Holy Ghost, grant us the merits of all virtues.
Holy Ghost, make us persevere in justice.
Holy Ghost, be our everlasting reward.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, send us Thy Holy Ghost.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, pour down into our souls the gifts of the Holy Ghost.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant us the Spirit of wisdom and piety.
℣. Come, Holy Ghost! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful,
℟. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.
Let Us Pray. Grant, O merciful Father, that Thy Divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, liveth and reigneth forever and ever. Amen.
Ave, Maris Stella
Hail, O Star of the ocean
God’s own Mother blest,
ever sinless Virgin,
gate of heavenly rest.
Taking that sweet Ave,
which from Gabriel came,
peace confirm within us,
changing Eve’s name.
Break the sinners’ fetters,
make our blindness day,
Chase all evils from us,
for all blessings pray.
Show thyself a Mother,
may the Word divine
born for us thine Infant
hear our prayers through thine.
Virgin all excelling,
mildest of the mild,
free from guilt preserve us
meek and undefiled.
Keep our life all spotless,
make our way secure
till we find in Jesus,
joy for evermore.
Praise to God the Father,
honor to the Son,
in the Holy Spirit,
be the glory one. Amen.
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Lord have mercy.
Christ 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 Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
Mother of Christ, pray for us.
Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Mother of mercy, pray for us.
Mother of divine grace, pray for us.
Mother of hope, pray for us.
Mother most pure, pray for us.
Mother most chaste, pray for us.
Mother inviolate, pray for us.
Mother undefiled, pray for us.
Mother most amiable, pray for us.
Mother most admirable, pray for us.
Mother of good counsel, pray for us.
Mother of our Creator, pray for us.
Mother of our Saviour, pray for us.
Virgin most prudent, pray for us.
Virgin most venerable, pray for us.
Virgin most renowned, pray for us.
Virgin most powerful, pray for us.
Virgin most merciful, pray for us.
Virgin most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of justice, pray for us.
Seat of wisdom, pray for us.
Cause of our joy, pray for us.
Spiritual vessel, pray for us.
Vessel of honour, pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us.
Mystical rose, pray for us.
Tower of David, pray for us.
Tower of ivory, pray for us.
House of gold, pray for us.
Ark of the Covenant, pray for us.
Gate of heaven, pray for us.
Morning star, pray for us.
Health of the sick, pray for us.
Refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Comfort of the afflicted, pray for us.
Help of Christians, pray for us.
Queen of Angels, pray for us.
Queen of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Queen of Prophets, pray for us.
Queen of Apostles, pray for us.
Queen of Martyrs, pray for us.
Queen of Confessors, pray for us.
Queen of Virgins, pray for us.
Queen of all Saints, pray for us.
Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us.
Queen assumed into heaven, pray for us.
Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.
Queen of families, pray for us.
Queen of peace, 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.
℣. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, that we, Thy servants, may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body; and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from present sorrow, and obtain eternal joy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Louis de Montfort’s Prayer to Mary
Hail Mary, beloved Daughter of the Eternal Father! Hail Mary, admirable Mother of the Son! Hail Mary, faithful Spouse of the Holy Ghost! Hail Mary, my dear Mother, my loving mistress, my powerful sovereign! Hail my joy, my glory, my heart and my soul! Thou art all mine by mercy, and I am all thine by justice. But I am not yet sufficiently thine. I now give myself wholly to thee without keeping anything back for myself or others. If thou still seest in me anything which does not belong to thee, I beseech thee to take it and to make thyself the absolute mistress of all that is mine. Destroy in me all that may be displeasing to God, root it up and bring it to naught; place and cultivate in me everything that is pleasing to thee.
May the light of thy faith dispel the darkness of my mind; may thy profound humility take the place of my pride; may thy sublime contemplation check the distractions of my wandering imagination; may thy continuous sight of God fill my memory with His presence; may the burning love of thy heart inflame the lukewarmness of mine; may thy virtues take the place of my sins; may thy merits be my only adornment in the sight of God and make up for all that is wanting in me. Finally, dearly beloved Mother, grant, if it be possible, that I may have no other spirit but thine, to know Jesus and His Divine will; that I may have no other soul but thine, to praise and glorify the Lord; that I may have no other heart but thine, to love God with a love as pure and ardent as thine. I do not ask thee for visions, revelations, sensible devotion or spiritual pleasures. It is thy privilege to see God clearly; it is thy privilege to enjoy Heavenly bliss; it is thy privilege to triumph gloriously in Heaven at the right hand of thy Son and to hold absolute sway over Angels, men and demons; it is thy privilege to dispose of all the gifts of God, just as thou willest.
Such is, O Heavenly Mary, the “best part,” which the Lord has given thee and which shall never be taken away from thee, and this thought fills my heart with joy. As for my part here below, I wish for no other than that which was thine: to believe sincerely without spiritual pleasures; to suffer joyfully without human consolation; to die continually to myself without respite; and to work zealously and unselfishly for thee until death as the humblest of thy servants. The only grace I beg thee to obtain for me is that every day and every moment of my life I may say: “Amen, so be it, to all that thou didst do while on earth. Amen, so be it, to all that thou art now doing in Heaven. Amen, so be it, to all that thou art doing in my soul, so that thou alone mayest fully glorify Jesus in me for time and eternity.” Amen.
Knowledge of Jesus Christ
“During the third week, they shall apply themselves to the study of Jesus Christ.”
What is to be studied in Christ? First the God-man, His grace and glory; then His rights to sovereign dominion over us, since, after having renounced Satan and the world, we have taken Jesus Christ for our Lord. What next shall be the object of our study? His exterior actions and also His interior life; namely, the virtues and acts of His Sacred Heart; His association with Mary in the mysteries of the Annunciation and Incarnation, during His infancy and hidden life, at the feast of Cana and on Calvary.
Prayers: Litany of the Holy Ghost. Ave Maris Stella. Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus or Litany of the Sacred Heart. St. Louis de Montfort’s Prayer to Jesus. O Jesus Living in Mary.
Reading: Gospel according to St. Matthew, Chapters 26, 27. Gospel according to St. John, Chapters 13 et seq. Imitation of Christ, Book II, Chapters 7, 11, 12; Book III, Chapters 5, 6, 56; Book IV; Chapters 1,8, 13. True Devotion to Mary, Nos. 60-67, 183, 212, 226-265.
Spiritual Exercises: Acts of love of God, thanksgiving for the blessings of Jesus, contrition and resolution.
Litany of the Holy Ghost
(for private devotion only)
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Father all powerful, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world, save us.
Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless Life of both, sanctify us.
Holy Trinity, hear us.
Holy Ghost, Who proceedest from the Father and the Son, enter our hearts.
Holy Ghost, Who art equal to the Father and the Son, enter our hearts.
Promise of God the Father, have mercy on us.
Ray of heavenly light, have mercy on us.
Author of all good, have mercy on us.
Source of Heavenly water, have mercy on us.
Consuming Fire, have mercy on us.
Ardent Charity, have mercy on us.
Spiritual Unction, have mercy on us.
Spirit of love and truth, have mercy on us.
Spirit of wisdom and understanding, have mercy on us.
Spirit of counsel and fortitude, have mercy on us.
Spirit of knowledge and piety, have mercy on us.
Spirit of the fear of the Lord, have mercy on us.
Spirit of grace and prayer, have mercy on us.
Spirit of peace and meekness, have mercy on us.
Spirit of modesty and innocence, have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, the Comforter, have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier, have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, Who governest the Church, have mercy on us.
Gift of God the Most High, have mercy on us.
Spirit Who fillest the universe, have mercy on us.
Spirit of the adoption of the children of God, have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, inspire us with horror of sin.
Holy Ghost, come and renew the face of the earth.
Holy Ghost, shed Thy light into our souls.
Holy Ghost, engrave Thy law in our hearts.
Holy Ghost, inflame us with the flame of Thy love.
Holy Ghost, open to us the treasures of Thy graces.
Holy Ghost, teach us to pray well.
Holy Ghost, enlighten us with Thy Heavenly inspirations.
Holy Ghost, lead us in the way of salvation.
Holy Ghost, grant us the only necessary knowledge.
Holy Ghost, inspire in us the practice of good.
Holy Ghost, grant us the merits of all virtues.
Holy Ghost, make us persevere in justice.
Holy Ghost, be our everlasting reward.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, send us Thy Holy Ghost.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, pour down into our souls the gifts of the Holy Ghost.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant us the Spirit of wisdom and piety.
℣. Come, Holy Ghost! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful,
℟. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.
Let Us Pray. Grant, O merciful Father, that Thy Divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, liveth and reigneth forever and ever. Amen.
Ave, Maris Stella
Hail, O Star of the ocean
God’s own Mother blest,
ever sinless Virgin,
gate of heavenly rest.
Taking that sweet Ave,
which from Gabriel came,
peace confirm within us,
changing Eve’s name.
Break the sinners’ fetters,
make our blindness day,
Chase all evils from us,
for all blessings pray.
Show thyself a Mother,
may the Word divine
born for us thine Infant
hear our prayers through thine.
Virgin all excelling,
mildest of the mild,
free from guilt preserve us
meek and undefiled.
Keep our life all spotless,
make our way secure
till we find in Jesus,
joy for evermore.
Praise to God the Father,
honor to the Son,
in the Holy Spirit,
be the glory one. Amen.
Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Jesus, hear us.
Jesus, 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.
Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Splendor of the Father, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Brightness of Eternal Light, have mercy on us.
Jesus, King of Glory, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Sun of Justice, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Most Amiable, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Most Admirable, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Father of the world to come, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Mighty God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Angel of Great Counsel, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Most Powerful, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Most Patient, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Most Obedient, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Meek and Humble of Heart, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Lover of Chastity, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Lover of us, have mercy on us.
Jesus, God of Peace, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Author of Life, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Example of Virtues, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Zealous Lover of souls, have mercy on us.
Jesus, our God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, our Refuge, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Father of the poor, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Treasure of the faithful, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Good Shepherd, have mercy on us.
Jesus, True Light, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Eternal Wisdom, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Infinite Goodness, have mercy on us.
Jesus, our way and our life, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Joy of Angels, have mercy on us.
Jesus, King of Patriarchs, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Master of the Apostles, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Teacher of the Evangelists, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Strength of Martyrs, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Light of Confessors, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Purity of Virgins, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Crown of all Saints, have mercy on us.
Be merciful, spare us, O Jesus,
Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Jesus.
From all evil, deliver us, O Jesus.
From all sin, deliver us, O Jesus.
From Thy wrath, deliver us, O Jesus.
From the snares of the devil, deliver us, O Jesus.
From the spirit of fornication, deliver us, O Jesus.
From everlasting death, deliver us, O Jesus.
From the neglect of Thine inspirations, deliver us, O Jesus.
By the mystery of Thy Holy Incarnation, deliver us, O Jesus.
By Thy Nativity, deliver us, O Jesus.
By Thine Infancy, deliver us, O Jesus.
By Thy Most Divine Life, deliver us, O Jesus.
By Thy Labors, deliver us, O Jesus.
By Thine Agony and Passion, deliver us, O Jesus.
By Thy Cross and Dereliction, deliver us, O Jesus.
By Thy Sufferings, deliver us, O Jesus.
By Thy Death and Burial, deliver us, O Jesus.
By Thy Resurrection, deliver us, O Jesus.
By Thine Ascension, deliver us, O Jesus.
By Thine institution of the Most Holy Eucharist, deliver us, O Jesus.
By Thy joys, deliver us, O Jesus.
By Thy glory, deliver us, O Jesus.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Jesus,
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, hear us, O Jesus,
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Jesus.
℣. Jesus, hear us.
℟. Jesus, graciously hear us.
Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, Who has said: Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you; mercifully attend to our supplications, and grant us the gift of Thy divine charity, that we may ever love Thee with our whole heart and with all our words and deeds, and never cease from praising Thee.
Make us, O Lord, to have a perpetual fear and love of Thy holy Name, for Thou never failest to help and govern those whom Thou dost bring up in Thy steadfast fear and love: who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.
Litany of the Sacred Heart
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 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 Ghost 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, Holy 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, vessel 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 praises, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, King and center of all hearts, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Divinity, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father is 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 abounding in mercy, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, rich unto all who call upon Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, atonement for our sins, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, filled with reproaches, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offenses, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, made obedient unto 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 Reconciliation, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who hope in Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, delight of all the Saints, have mercy on 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.
℣. 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 He offers Thee in the name of sinners; and appeased by worthy homage, pardon those who implore Thy mercy, in Thy Great Goodness in the name of the same Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.
St. Louis de Montfort’s Prayer to Jesus
O most loving Jesus, deign to let me pour forth my gratitude before Thee for the grace Thou hast bestowed upon me in giving me to Thy holy Mother through the devotion of holy slavery, that she may be my advocate in the presence of Thy Majesty and my support in my extreme misery. Alas, O Lord! I am so wretched that, without this dear Mother, I should be certainly lost. Yes, Mary is necessary for me at Thy side and everywhere: that she may appease Thy just wrath, because I have so often offended Thee; that she may save me from the eternal punishment of Thy justice, which I deserve; that she may contemplate Thee, speak to Thee, pray to Thee, approach Thee and please Thee; that she may help me to save my soul and the souls of others; in short, Mary is necessary for me that I may always do Thy holy will and seek Thy greater glory in all things. Ah, would that I could proclaim throughout the whole world the mercy that Thou hast shown to me! Would that everyone might know I should be already damned, were it not for Mary! Would that I might offer worthy thanksgiving for so great a blessing! Mary is in me. Oh, what a treasure! Oh, what a consolation! And shall I not be entirely hers? Oh, what ingratitude! My dear Savior, send me death rather than such a calamity, for I would rather die than live without belonging entirely to Mary. With St. John the Evangelist at the foot of the Cross, I have taken her a thousand times for my own and as many times have given myself to her; but if I have not yet done it as Thou, dear Jesus, dost wish, I now renew this offering as Thou dost desire me to renew it. And if Thou seest in my soul or my body anything that does not belong to this august princess, I pray Thee to take it and cast it far from me, for whatever in me does not belong to Mary is unworthy of Thee.
O Holy Spirit, grant me all these graces. Plant in my soul the Tree of true Life, which is Mary; cultivate it and tend it so that it may grow and blossom and bring forth the fruit of life in abundance. O Holy Spirit, give me great devotion to Mary, Thy faithful spouse; give me great confidence in her maternal heart and an abiding refuge in her mercy, so that by her Thou mayest truly form in me Jesus Christ, great and mighty, unto the fullness of His perfect age. Amen.
O Jesus Living in Mary
O Jesus, living in Mary,
Come and live in Thy servants,
In the spirit of Thy holiness,
In the fullness of Thy might,
In the truth of Thy virtues,
In the perfection of Thy ways,
In the communion of Thy mysteries.
Subdue every hostile power
In Thy Spirit, for the glory of the Father. Amen.
“At the end of the three weeks”, says St. Louis de Montfort, “they shall go to confession and to Communion, with the intention of giving themselves to Jesus Christ in the quality of slaves of love, by the hands of Mary. After Communion, which they should try to make according to the method given further on (cf. True Devotion, No. 266), they should recite the formula of their consecration, which they will also find further on. They ought to write it, or have it written, unless they have a printed copy of it; and they should sign it the same day they have made it. It would be well also that on that day they should pay some tribute to Jesus Christ and our Blessed Lady, either as a penance for their past unfaithfulness to the vows of their Baptism or as a testimony of their dependence on the dominion of Jesus and Mary. This tribute ought to be according to the devotion and ability of everyone, such as a fast, a mortification, an alms or a candle. If they had but a pin to give in homage, yet gave it with good heart, it would be enough for Jesus, who looks only at one’s good will. Once a year at least, on the same day, they should renew the same consecration, observing the same practices during the three weeks. They might also once a month, or even once a day, renew all they have done, in these few words: “I am all thine and all I have belongs to thee, O my sweet Jesus through Mary, thy Holy Mother.”
O Eternal and Incarnate Wisdom! O sweetest and most adorable Jesus! True God and true Man, only Son of the Eternal Father and of Mary ever virgin! I adore Thee profoundly in the bosom and splendors of Thy Father during eternity, and I adore Thee also in the virginal bosom of Mary, Thy most worthy Mother, in the time of Thine Incarnation.
I give Thee thanks for that Thou hast annihilated Thyself, taking the form of a slave, in order to rescue me from the cruel slavery of the devil. I praise and glorify Thee because Thou hast been pleased to submit Thyself to Mary, Thy holy Mother, in all things, in order to make me Thy faithful slave through her. But, alas! Ungrateful and faithless as I have been, I have not kept the promises which I made so solemnly to Thee in my Baptism; I have not fulfilled my obligations; I do not deserve to be called Thy child, nor yet Thy slave; and as there is nothing in me which does not merit Thine anger and Thy repulse, I dare not come by myself before Thy most holy and august Majesty. It is on this account that I have recourse to the intercession of Thy most holy Mother, whom Thou hast given me for a mediatrix with Thee. It is through her that I hope to obtain of Thee contrition, the pardon of my sins, and the acquisition and preservation of wisdom.
Hail, then, O Immaculate Mary, living tabernacle of the Divinity, where the Eternal Wisdom willed to be hidden and to be adored by Angels and by men! Hail, O Queen of Heaven and earth, to whose empire everything is subject which is under God. Hail, O sure refuge of sinners, whose mercy fails no one. Hear the desires which I have of the Divine Wisdom; and for that end receive the vows and offerings which in my lowliness I present to thee.
I, [name], a faithless sinner, renew and ratify today in thy hands the vows of my Baptism; I renounce forever Satan, his pomps and works; and I give myself entirely to Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Wisdom, to carry my cross after Him all the days of my life and to be more faithful to Him than I have ever been before.
In the presence of all the Heavenly Court, I choose thee this day for my Mother and mistress. I deliver and consecrate to thee, as thy slave, my body and soul, my goods, both interior and exterior, and even the value of all my good actions – past, present and future – leaving to thee the entire and full right of disposing of me and all that belongs to me, without exception, according to thy good pleasure, for the greater glory of God, in time and in eternity.
Receive, O benignant Virgin, this little offering of my slavery, in honor of and in union with that subjection which the Eternal Wisdom deigned to have to thy maternity, in homage to the power which both of you have over this poor sinner and in thanksgiving for the privileges with which the Holy Trinity has favored thee. I declare that I wish henceforth, as thy true slave, to seek thy honor and to obey thee in all things.
O admirable Mother, present me to thy dear Son as His eternal slave, so that as He has redeemed me by thee, by thee He may receive me! O Mother of Mercy, grant me the grace to obtain the true Wisdom of God, and for that end receive me among those whom thou dost love and teach, whom thou dost lead, nourish and protect as thy children and thy slaves.
O faithful Virgin, make me in all things so perfect a disciple, imitator and slave of the Incarnate Wisdom, Jesus Christ thy Son, that I may attain, by thine intercession and by thine example, to the fullness of His age on earth and of His glory in Heaven. Amen.
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PDF Booklet
Stations of the Cross
These Stations of the Cross draw from the prayers that the seminarians at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary use during their Lenten exercises. The booklet was put together by Fr. Joshua Curtis, FSSP. It may be printed for private use, or published with permission from the author.
PDF Pamphlet
The Holy Rosary
PDF Pamphlet
The Holy Rosary - Traditional Art
This pamphlet is identical to the one above, except it uses more traditional art. Most of the paintings are by James Tissot, a nineteenth century French painter, who produced a long series of Biblical works after a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. It was put together by Fr. Joshua Curtis, FSSP. It may be printed for private use, or published with permission from the author.
