REDEMPTORIST MISSION BOOK: PRAYERS
A compilation of several Redemptorist Missionaries of the Baltimore Province, c. 1988
+Morning Prayers; +Night Prayers; +Prayer of Thanksgiving; +Prayers after Communion; +The "Anima Christi"; +For the Present Moment; +Prayer for Wisdom; +Prayer based on John 3:16-21; +Prayer for Healing and Renewal; +Prayer for Attentiveness; +Litany of Forgiveness; +Dedication to Our Lady; +The Memorare; +Hail, Holy Queen; +The Angelus; +The Regina Coeli; +The Rosary; +Prayer in Sickness; +Prayer in Time of Bereavement; +For the Departed; +Prayer of Parents; +Family Prayer: some suggestions; +Prayer of Spouses for each other; +An Arthritic's Prayer to St Alphonsus; +Prayer for Freedom from Addiction; +Serenity Prayer; +Prayer to St John Neumann, C.Ss.R.; +Prayers of St Alphonsus Liguori; +Prayer of Affirmation; +Prayer for Vocations; +Prayer to Jesus Crucified; +Prayer of Abandonment; +Reflection on Prayer; +Prayer of St Patrick; +Prayer of St Ignatius Loyola; +Prayer of St Francis of Assisi; +Prayer of St Teresa of Avila
The mercies of the Lord are never exhausted; the mercies of the Lord are never
spent: but they are new each morning. (Lam 3:22)
A) God of my life, I welcome this new day. It is your gift to me, the first
day of the rest of my life. I thank you for the gift of being alive this
morning. I thank you for the sleep which has refreshed me. I thank you for the
chance to begin life all over again.
Lord, this day is full of promise and of opportunity. Help me to waste none of
it. This day is full of mystery and of the unknown. Help me to face it without
fear or anxiety. This day is full of beauty and adventure. Help me to be fully
alive to it all.
During this day, may I become a more thoughtful person, a more prayerful,
generous and kind person. Help me not to be turned in on myself, but to be
sensitive and helpful to others.
When night comes, may I look back upon this day without regrets, and may no one
be unhappy because of anything I have done or anything 1 have failed to do.
Lord, bless this day for me and for all of us. Make it a day in which we grow
more like your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord Jesus Christ, friend and brother, may we know you more clearly, love you
more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen.
B) Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of a new day. Thank you for the
sleep which has refreshed me and for the chance to begin life again today. I
welcome this new day as your gift to me, and in its first moments, I offer
myself to you.
Father, I will quietly and serenely receive from your hand the work and burden
of this day: its joys, its sorrows, its challenges, its responsibilities and its
opportunities.
Bless this day for me, for those I love, and for all your children. To us all,
grant your provisions for our needs today and the grace to see this day in the
light of eternity. Amen.
A) Good and gracious God, I thank you for all the gifts and graces of this
day. In particular, I acknowledge your goodness to me this day in . . .
My God, I am truly sorry for any sin in my life today: for anything I have done
against your will; for anything you have willed and I have left undone. In
particular, I ask your forgiveness for . . .
My God, I trustingly ask your blessing tonight upon my family and loved ones;
upon anyone I have ever offended or who has ever offended me; upon those who
have fallen into temptation. In particular, I ask your blessing upon . . .
May I awaken tomorrow to know, love and serve you still another day. Yet if it
be your will to call me from this life tonight, may I awake to the dawn of
eternal happiness with you forever. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my
spirit.
Hail Mary . . .
B) O God, I thank you for all the gifts and graces bestowed on me this day. I
believe; help my unbelief. I hope in you; take away all doubt and fear. I love
you; give me an undivided heart.
[Here examine your conscience]
O my God, I am truly sorry for each and every sin I committed today; and for all
I have left undone. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner!
Dear God, if it is your will, may I awaken tomorrow to another day, a day to
praise you, love you and do your will.
Watch, O Lord, with those who wake or weep tonight, and give your angels and
saints charge over those who slumber.
Tend your sick ones, O Lord Christ,
Rest your weary ones,
Bless your dying ones,
Soothe your suffering ones,
Pity your afflicted ones,
Shield your joyous ones,
And all for your love's sake. Amen.
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you our
heartfelt thanks for all your goodness and kindness to us. We bless you for
creating us and preserving us in life. Above all, we bless you for the
inestimable love you have shown the world in sending your only-begotten Son,
Jesus Christ, that we might not perish but have eternal life.
We thank you for the teaching of His Gospel; for the power of His Cross; for the
sacramental signs of His grace in the present life; and for the sure hope of
eternal life with Him.
In Jesus' name and for His sake, we beseech you, dear Father, send your Holy
Spirit upon us to give us a due appreciation of all your mercies so that our
hearts may be sincerely and unashamedly thankful.
Grant that your praises may be ever upon our lips and in our lives. May we give
ourselves to your service in serving others and walk before you humbly and
gratefully all our days: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Father, in celebrating this Eucharist together we have shared Faith in the
resurrection of Christ. We have pledged ourselves, yet again, to live the
commandment of Love, and sought pardon at the fountain of forgiveness. Sustain
us, Lord, with the food of life, as we go upon our way;
May the Bread of Heaven be our strength;
May the broken Body of Christ bring us healing;
May the Spirit of the Risen Christ renew our youthful generosity;
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus give us compassion;
May the Crucified Christ of Calvary help us bear our daily burden.
A Blessing, Lord, on your people:
- a blessing on all at this Eucharist;
- a blessing on all the neighbors and friends;
- a blessing on our trespassers, as Jesus bids us pray;
- a blessing from the Heart of Christ on those who forgive;
- and life eternal to our beloved deceased, the faithful departed of our
community, our nation and all who have walked with You since time began.
Our prayer we make as always, through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
My Lord and my God! A hundred thousand welcomes. A hundred thousand thanks.
Jesus, present in my soul, I adore you. I thank you. I love you. I am sorry for
the sins which have offended you. 1 et me know you, serve you and love you. Let
me accept and do your will today. Stay with me throughout this day. Let me see
others with your eyes and love with your heart, My Lord and my God. Amen.
Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate
me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within thy sacred wounds hide me.
From the wicked enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me
And bid me come to thee
that with thy saints I may praise thee
forever and ever. Amen
Dear God, I spend so much time reliving yesterday or anticipating tomorrow that
I lose sight of the only time that is really mine- the present moment. You give
me today one moment at a time. That's all I have - all I ever will have.
Give me the faith which knows that each moment contains exactly what is best for
me. Give me the hope which trusts you enough to forget past failings and future
trials. Give me the love which makes each moment an anticipation of eternity
with you. We ask this in the name of Jesus who is the same yesterday, today and
forever.
Lord Jesus, Light of the world, give us your light tonight
Light to see the truth plainly;
Light to see ourselves as we are;
Light to see the way we should go.
Light to see you in your majesty, your humility and your love.
God so loved the world that He gave his only Son that whoever believes in him
may not die but have eternal life.
God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world
might be saved through him.
God so loved the world that He gave his only Son that whoever believes in him
may not die but have eternal life.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned but whoever refuses to believe is
already condemned for not believing in the name of God's only Son.
God so loved the world that He gave his only Son that whoever believes in him
may not die but have eternal life.
The judgment of condemnation is this: the light came into the world, but people
loved darkness because their deeds were evil.
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him
may not die but have eternal life.
Everyone who does evil hates the light and does not come near it for fear that
his deeds will be exposed. But he who acts in truth comes into the light to make
clear that his deeds are done in God.
God so loved the world that He gave his only Son that whoever believes in him
may not die but have eternal life.
Prayer for Healing and Renewal
Lord Jesus Christ, most Holy Redeemer, you make all things new. Your word
promises: Whoever is in Christ has become a new creation. The old has passed
away; behold the new has come.
Renew us, and heal us with your love.
Make new my mind: let me see life and death, time and eternity, this world and
beyond, with the eyes of faith. Make new my will: let me walk more loyally in
the way of your commandments.
Renew us, and heal us with your love.
Make new my heart: let me love your truly and love others for your sake. Make
new, Lord Jesus, my whole life: let there be no more sin, no more compromise,
but only devotion to you.
Renew us, and heal us with your love.
I bring to you, dearest Lord, my life and it is - my hopes and dreams, my
struggles and pains, my fears, anxieties and addictions, my hurts, my talents,
my achievements, my disappointments and my sickness. I bring to you all whom I
love. I entrust all to you and with confident faith I take heart; for you make
all things new.
Renew us, and heal us with your love. Amen.
Lord, you said: wherever two or three are gathered together in my name, I am
there among them. You are with us now. Make us aware of your presence.
Gather us in together in Your love.
Lord, we are here to be attentive to your Word; we are here to search for your
Truth. Speak to us, Lord, your servants are listening.
Teach us to listen and respond.
Lord, in the noise and bustle of life it is not easy to find your Truth. Help us
to be quiet and still. Make us attentive to you tonight. For you alone have the
words of Eternal Life.
Inspire us to yearn for Your Word.
Lord, at times through sin and selfishness we have hardened our hearts. Forgive
our foolish ways; open our eyes to the greatness of your love; bless us with the
Truth that sets us free.
Bless us, Lord, and set us free.
Let us pray. God our Father, only You can give meaning and purpose to life. Let
your Word, rich as it is, pierce deeply into our hearts and change our lives, so
that we may know life at its best, and learn to live for You and for others.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, you said: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the
Kingdom of heaven. Yet we are preoccupied with money and worldly goods and put
our trust in what we possess rather than in your care for us. Have mercy on us,
O Lord, have mercy on us.
Lord Jesus Christ, you said: Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the
earth. Yet we are so concerned about our own rights and self-interest and so
little concerned about serving others. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on
us.
Lord Jesus Christ, you said: Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be
comforted. Yet we are impatient under our burdens and unconcerned about the
burdens of others. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.
Lord Jesus Christ, you said: Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for
righteousness, for they shall have their fill. Yet we do not thirst for you, the
fountain of all holiness, and we are satisfied with half-measures and
mediocrity. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.
Lord Jesus Christ, you said: Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive
mercy. Yet we are so quick to condemn, so slow to forgive. Have mercy on us, O
Lord, have mercy on us.
Lord Jesus Christ, you said: Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see
God. Yet we have often regarded persons created in your image as objects of our
own lusts and can not raise our eyes to you. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have
mercy on us.
Lord Jesus Christ, you said: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be
called the children of God. Yet we are so often ruthless with each other, and
our homes and our world are full of discord and resentments. Have mercy on us, O
Lord, have mercy on us.
Lord, Jesus Christ. you said: Blessed are those who suffer persecution for
holiness' sake, for the Kingdom of God is theirs. Yet we suffer no opposition
because we have been ashamed of you, our Crucified Savior, and have lived
worldly compromises of your Gospel. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.
An Act of Dedication to Our Lady
Most holy, immaculate Virgin Mary, to your motherly heart Jesus entrusted his
disciples and to us He has given you.
I thank you, O most beautiful and noble of women, that you have always loved me
as a mother, and I want to provide afresh for you an honored place in my life.
Obtain for me from Jesus the gift of a new beginning and a new heart: a heart
open and obedient to God's Word; a heart simple as a child's; a heart bold in
sacrifice;
a chaste heart; a thankful heart;
a compassionate heart;
a heart like yours, O Mary.
Enfold in your mercy, dear Mother, all my dear ones especially....(pause) and
all who have a special claim to your help
- children and young people,
-the sick and the suffering,
-the forgotten and the poor of this world.
Join your prayers to our petitions for those who do not cease to be your
children even though they have abandoned the faith and fallen into sin. May a
remembrance of your love and beauty touch their hearts at depths we can not
reach.
As at Pentecost, so now pray for the Church; pray for our parish, our priests,
our Brothers and our Sisters, and for all of us, who strive to serve others in
the name of Jesus, your Son.
With all generations, we will ever call you blessed, O Mary, our Mother of
Perpetual Help, for God, the Almighty, has indeed done great things for you, and
you have been and are so gracious to us: O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin
Mary.
Remember O most compassionate Virgin Mary that never was it known that anyone
who fled to your protection implored your help or sought your intercession was
left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence I fly unto you O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.
To you do I come; before you I stand sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear
and answer me. Amen.
Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To you
do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate,
your eyes of mercy towards us; and after this our exile, show unto us the
blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
Leader/Response
1.The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary And she conceived of the
Holy Spirit
2. Hail Mary, full of grace...Holy Mary, Mother of God...
3. Behold the handmaid of the Lord Be it done to me according to your
word
4. Hail Mary, full of grace...Holy Mary, Mother of God...
5. And the Word was made flesh And dwelt among us
6. Hail Mary, full of grace...Holy Mary, Mother of God...
7. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God That we may be made worthy of the
promises of Christ.
8. Let us pray. Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our
hearts, that we to whom the incarnation of Christ, your Son, was
made known by the message of the angel, may by His Passion and Cross
be brought to the glory of His Resurrection: through the same
Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Regina Coeli (to be recited during the Easter Season)
Leader/Response
1. Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia. The Son whom you were
privileged to bear, alleluia, has risen as he said, alleluia. Pray
to God for us, alleluia.
2. Rejoice and be glad, Virgin Mary, alleluia. For the Lord has truly
risen, alleluia!
3. Let us pray. O God, it was by the Resurrection of your Son, our Lord
Jesus Christ, that you brought joy to the world. Grant that through
the intercession of the Virgin Mary, his Mother, we may attain the
joy of eternal life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The rosary is a way of joining Our Lady in treasuring the mysteries of Jesus her
Son. Fingering the beads, we are reminded of the way life comes to us one moment
at a time. The prayers, said softly, become almost a song of praise -"Blessed
are you . . . blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus" - and a plea for Our
Lady's intercession - "pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death."
For centuries, the rosary has led to great inner strength and peace, to a loving
union of our joys and sorrows with Jesus through Mary's intercession. Those who
faithfully pray it find, just as Our Lady has repeatedly said, that it is a
humble, a practical and a powerful means of contemplation, and a great source of
blessing for themselves and for the whole world.
The rosary begins with the Apostles' Creed, an Our Father and three Hail Marys
for the abiding gifts faith, hope and love. The Our Father begins and the Glory
Be concludes each group or decade of 10 Hail Marys.
While saying the prayers, we focus on a "mystery." In the first sorrowful
mystery, for example, we might think of Jesus' aloneness in the Garden. Perhaps
some other aspect of the mystery strikes our mind or touches our heart. It is
also well to ask a specific grace at each mystery. For example, in the first
sorrowful mystery, we might pray for all who feel alone betrayed by those they
trusted, abandoned by those they love. Let the Holy Spirit gently guide you each
time you say the rosary.
Mary treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart. (Lk 2:19)
The Joyful Mysteries
Annunciation
Visitation
Birth of Our Lord
Presentation of Our Lord
Finding in the Temple
The Sorrowful Mysteries
Agony in the Garden
Scourging
Crowning with Thorns
Carrying the Cross
Crucifixion and Death
The Luminous Mysteries
Wedding Feast of Cana
Baptism of Jesus by John
Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
Transfiguration
Institution of the Eucharist
The Glorious Mysteries
Resurrection
Ascension
Coming of the Holy Spirit
Assumption of Our Lady
Crowning of Our Lady
Father, let this suffering pass from me;
yet not my will but yours be done.
May you be blessed forever.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
With you I am nailed to the cross.
Let my pains be mingled with yours
for the saving of the world.
Holy Spirit, comforter and consoler,
heal what is ill in me,
strengthen what is weak,
sweeten what is sour or cranky.
Save me from depression and self-pity;
renew my courage;
bring me to pray with Jesus on the cross:
Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
Amen.
[When you are seriously ill, you won't have the energy or the inclination to
pray much - if at all. At times you'll be wholly absorbed in just enduring, just
keeping your sanity. Know then that God is loving you and taking care of you,
that he has not - nor ever will - abandon you. When you pray, keep it simple.
Repeat a word or an aspiration, or one of the old familiar prayers - 'Holy Mary,
Mother of God, pray for us sinners...' or 'Jesus, Mary and Joseph....' Or pray
with your eyes - just looking at a crucifix, picture on the wall, or the icon of
Mary on the back of this booklet. Or pray with your hands by holding on to the
beads of your rosary or its crucifix.]
Dearest Jesus, who wept at the death of your friend and taught that they who
mourn shall be comforted, grant us the comfort of your presence in our loss.
Send your Holy Spirit to direct us lest we make hasty or foolish decisions. Send
your Spirit to give us courage lest through fear we recoil from living. Send
your Spirit to bring us your peace lest bitterness, false guilt, or regret take
root in our hearts.
The Lord has given. The Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Amen.
O sweet mother Mary, who knew the sadness of mourning those your heart loved
most - Jesus, your Son, and Joseph, your devoted spouse - pray for us in our
time of loss. Amen.
O God, the creator and redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of your
servants departed the forgiveness of all their sins, the pardon they have always
desired. As you granted them faith in Christ, so now give them the purity
without which no one can see you. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. our
Lord.
Eternal rest grant unto our departed . . . and let perpetual light shine upon
them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the
mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
God our Father, I thank you the gift of my children and for the privilege and
responsibility of being a parent, for this is my way of holiness.
May I regard each of my children as a sacred pledge of your love and a beautiful
sign of your confidence in me. Help me to pass on to my children our greatest
treasures - faith in your truths, hope in your goodness, love in your name for
all.
I entrust my children to your loving care. Banish from our home any bitterness
or lack of forgiveness. Let us have time, deep concern, and a sense of sacrifice
for one another. Teach us never to be ashamed that we are, in name and in fact,
a Catholic family striving to live in the way of Jesus, who is head of our home.
Give us your Holy Spirit to unite us throughout this life and let the circle of
our family be unbroken in the Kingdom of your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph protect us.
Family Prayer - Some Suggestions
Grace before meals - add your daily needs and thanksgivings individually.
Some time of prayer together, perhaps in the morning before going to work or
school.
Invoke God's blessing upon one another - just the simple words "God bless
you" spoken with meaning.
Celebrate the Church year with customs such as the Advent wreath, the
Christmas manger, Lenten sacrifice, Easter specialties, remembrance of the
departed in November.
Make Sunday a special day in your family - dress appropriately for Mass; have
the main meal together; enjoy one another's company.
Especially in May and October, pray the Rosary or some part of it together.
Prayer of Spouses for Each Other
Lord Jesus, grant that my spouse and I may have a true and understanding love
for each other. Grant that we may both be filled with faith and trust. Give us
the grace to live with each other in peace and harmony. May we always bear with
one another's weaknesses and grow from each other's strengths. Help us to
forgive one another's failings and grant us patience, kindness, cheerfulness and
the spirit of placing the well-being of one another ahead of self.
May the love that brought us together grow and mature with each passing year.
Bring us both ever close to You through our love for each other. Let our love
prow to perfection. Amen.
An Arthritic's Prayer to St. Alphonsus Liguori
St. Alphonsus, preacher, confessor, founder, bishop, doctor of prayer and friend
of the poor, you are also the special patron of all who suffer from arthritis
and the pains of many years. When our fingers twist with pain, keep us focused
on the hands of Christ pierced with ugly nails. When our knees knob with endless
aches, allow us to see the knees of Jesus smashing to the street under the heavy
cross. When our backs stiffen with soreness, let us remember the back of Christ
thrown across the cold, rough wood of the cross. When our joints, hips, arms,
legs and knuckles hurt so much that tears well up in our eyes, help us to recall
the tears, the sweat and the blood that flowed from our crucified Jesus who
suffered so much more for each of us.
St. Alphonsus, afflicted with curvature of the spine and nailed to a wheelchair
cross in your final years, teach us to unite all our pains with the dreadful
sufferings of Jesus on the cross. We ask you to ease our pains but more so to
enable us to be one with Jesus in his great act of dying and rising. Amen.
Prayer For Freedom from Addictions
Lord Jesus, you prayed with the words of the prophet Isaiah, "I have come to set
the captives free." We are captive and need your healing touch. Open our hearts
to receive your gift of grace, that releases us from our bondage and addictions
and gives us...
...freedom from cares and worries that stifle our happiness;
...freedom from sins that cling to us, and to which we cling;
...freedom from all compulsive behavior that prevents our becoming what You,
Lord, have planned for us.
Bring us, loving Savior, to the experience of abundant life which you promised.
Amen.
O God, grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change
the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Amen.
Prayer to St. John Neumann, C.Ss.R.
O Jesus who on earth commanded and practiced a hidden life, grant that in these
our days of pride and outward display the example of your servant John Neumann
may lead us to follow your humble ways. Grant, O Lord, that like your holy
bishop we may do all our work with the pure intention of pleasing you. and let
not our deeds be done to win the favor of others but to give glory to our Father
in heaven.
We thank you that our fellow citizen and devoted missionary bishop is recognized
among the saints of your Church in heaven, and we beseech you, O Lord, to
glorify him on earth by granting the favors we ask through his intercession.
Amen.
Visit to The Most Blessed Sacrament
My Lord Jesus Christ, out of love for us all, You stay night and day in this
Sacrament, full of compassion, waiting for, calling and welcoming all who come
to visit you. I believe that you are really here in this sacrament. Night I
adore you out of my nothingness. I thank you for all the wonderful graces you
have given me. But I thank you especially for having given me yourself in this
sacrament, for having asked your own Mother to mother me, for having called me
here to talk to you.
I am here before you today to do three things: to thank you for these precious
gifts, to make up for all the disrespect that you receive in this sacrament from
those who offend you, to adore you everywhere in the world where you are present
in this living bread but are left abandoned and unloved.
My Jesus, I love you with all my heart. I know I have displeased you often in
the past- I am sorry. With your help I promise never to do it again. I am only a
miserable sinner, but I consecrate myself to you completely. I give you my will,
my love, my desires, everything I own. From now own do what you please with me.
All I ask is that you love me, that you keep me faithful to the end of my life.
I ask for the grace to do your will exactly as you want it done.
I pray for the souls in purgatory- especially for those who were close to you in
this sacrament and close to your Mother Mary. I pray for every soul hardened in
sin. May Savior, I unite my love to the love of your divine heart, and I offer
them both together to your Father. I beg him to accept this offering in your
name. Amen.
One Thing Necessary
O my God, help me to remember that time is short, eternity long.
What good is all the greatness of this world at the hour of death?
To love you, my God, and save my soul is the one thing necessary.
Without you, there is no peace of mind or soul.
My God, I need fear only sin and nothing else in this life, for to lose you, my
God, is to lose all.
O my God, help me to remember that I came into this world with nothing, and
shall take nothing from it when I die. To gain you, I must leave all. But in
loving you, I already have all good things - the infinite riches of Christ and
His Church in life, Mary's motherly protection and perpetual help, and the
eternal dwelling place Jesus has prepared for me. Eternal Father, Jesus has
promised that whatever we ask in His Name will be granted us.
In His Name, I pray: give me a burning faith, a joyful hope, a holy love for
you.
Grant me perseverance in doing your will and never let me be separated from you.
My God and my All, make me a saint. Amen.
A Guide to Alphonsian Meditation
Beginning: Make an act of faith and humility, and a petition for light and
strength, say a brief prayer to Mary, Joseph, guardian angel, and patron saint.
Meditation: Read a few verses from Scripture or spiritual book, think and
reflect about what you read: what it means, what it taught you. What have I done
about this in the past; what shall I do about it now?
Acts of Love: Pray for the grace to love God, tell God you love Him!
Prayer of Petition: Pray for the graces you need both for your daily living and
for your spiritual journey.
Resolution: Make one practical resolution that you can do today.
Conclusion: Thank God for whatever grace you have received, renew your
resolution, ask for the love of Jesus and Mary to keep your resolution.
I am loved by God; I am made by God;
I am forgiven by God; I am accepted by God unconditionally;
I am a child of God; I am sustained by God;
I am important to God; I am used by God
I am enabled by God; I am destined for God.
Send forth your Spirit, Lord, into the hearts of your faithful people, that they
may be conscious of their vocation to holiness and service to others. Grant that
many of them may dedicate themselves to You through the priesthood, religious
life and the lay ministries.
We pray especially for the needs of our own parish and Diocese. Grant that we
may always have sufficient good and holy priests, dedicated Sisters and
committed lay ministers to serve our communities.
We pray too for religious, and especially for the Redemptorist Fathers and
Brothers; that generous men may join them to become zealous missionaries in
preaching the Gospel in word or action, especially to the poor and abandoned.
We make this prayer through Jesus Christ Our Lord and Redeemer. Amen.
O God, Thou art the object of my love,
not for the hope of endless joys above,
Nor for the fear of endless pain below
which those who love Thee not must undergo.
For me and such as me, Thou once midst bear
the shameful cross, the nails, the spear.
A thorny crown transpierced Thy sacred brow,
what bloody sweat from every member flowed.
Such then was - and is - Thy love for me.
Such is - and shall be still - my love for Thee.
(St. Francis Xavier)
Father, I abandon myself into your hands;
Do with me whatever you will.
Whatever you may do, I thank you.
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only your will be done in me,
And in all your creatures.
I wish no more than this, O Lord.
Into your hands I commend my spirit;
I offer it to you, Lord, and so need to give myself,
to surrender myself into your hands,
Without reserve and with boundless confidence,
For you are my Father.
(Charles de Foucald)
I asked God for strength, that I might achieve;
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health that I might do great things;
I was given sickness that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy;
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power to have the praise of others;
I was given weakness, to feel the need For God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life;
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I received nothing I asked for- but everything I hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayer was answered;
I am, among all people, most richly blessed.
Christ be with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ where I lie,
Christ were I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord Jesus, teach me to be generous, to serve you as you deserve:
to give without counting the cost, to fight needless of the wounds, to work and
not seek for rest, to toil and not seek for reward, save the reward of knowing I
am doing your will. Amen.
Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is
darkness, light. Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console
to be understood as to understand to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it
is in dying that we are born to eternal life.