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This novena before Divine Mercy Sunday starts Good Friday

Here we are combining novena intentions given by Jesus to St. Faustina with the Chaplet: “I will grant every possible grace to souls,” he promised.

In preparation for Divine Mercy Sunday, a novena that consists of reciting the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy for nine days begins on Good Friday. The Lord Jesus promised: By this novena, I will grant every possible grace to souls (Diary of St. Faustina, 796).Together with that novena, there is also one given by Jesus particularly to St. Faustina (Diary, 1210-1229). For each of the nine days, Our Lord gave her a different intention, a different group of souls which He wanted her to bring to Him.

Out of love for all these souls we want to pray both. Here is a combination of both novenas.

You can join in praying the novena from the St. John Paul II National Shrine here, or find them on Facebook.

Good Friday, 1st Day of the Novena

Leader: Jesus said: Today bring to Me all mankind, especially all sinners, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me. 

Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon the trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.

All: Eternal Father, / turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind / and especially upon poor sinners, / all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion / show us Your mercy, / that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen.

CHAPLET OF THE DIVINE MERCY

Holy Saturday, 2nd Day of the Novena

Leader: Jesus said: Today bring to Me the souls of priests and religious, and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave me the strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them as through channels My mercy flows out upon mankind.

Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men and women consecrated to Your service, that they may perform worthy works of mercy and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven.

All: Eternal Father, / turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in Your vineyard / -upon the souls of priests and religious / and endow them with the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, / impart to them Your power and light, / that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation / and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end.

Amen.

CHAPLET OF THE DIVINE MERCY

Easter Sunday, 3rd Day of the Novena

Leader: Jesus said: Today bring to Me all devout and faithful souls, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. These souls brought me consolation on the Way of the Cross. They were that drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness.

Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces in great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from It. We beg this grace of You by that most wondrous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely.

All: Eternal Father, / turn Your merciful gaze upon faithful souls, / as upon the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, / grant them Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, / but rather, with all the hosts of Angels and Saints, / may they glorify Your boundless mercy for endless ages. Amen.

CHAPLET OF THE DIVINE MERCY

Easter Monday, 4th Day of the Novena

Leader: Jesus said: Today bring to Me those who do not believe in God and those who do not yet know Me. I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. 

Most compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who do not believe in God and those who yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may extol Your wonderful mercy; and do not let them escape from the abode which is Your Most Compassionate Heart.

All: Eternal Father, / turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who do not believe in God / and those who yet do not know You, / but who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw them to the light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is to love You. Grant that they, too, / may extol the generosity of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.

CHAPLET OF THE DIVINE MERCY

Easter Tuesday, 5th Day of the Novena

Leader: Jesus said: Today bring to Me the souls of those who have separated themselves from My Church, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. During My bitter Passion they tore at My Body and Heart, that is, My Church. As they return to unity with the Church My wounds heal and in this way they alleviate My Passion.

Most Merciful Jesus, Goodness Itself, You do not refuse light to those who seek it of You. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Church. Draw them by Your light into the unity of the Church, and do not let them escape from the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart; but bring it about that they, too, come to glorify the generosity of Your mercy.

All: Eternal, / Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Son’s Church, / who have squandered Your blessings / and misused Your graces by obstinately persisting in their errors. Do not look upon their errors, / but upon the love of Your own Son and upon His bitter Passion, / which He underwent for their sake, / since they, too, are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Bring it about / that they also may glorify Your great mercy for endless ages. Amen.

CHAPLET OF THE DIVINE MERCY

Easter Wednesday, 6th Day of the Novena

Leader: Jesus said: Today bring to Me the meek and humble souls and the souls of little children, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as earthly Angels, who would keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. Only the humble soul is able to receive My grace, I favor humble souls with My confidence.

Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said, Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy and they are the heavenly Father’s favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy.

All: Eternal Father, / turn Your merciful gaze upon meek and humble souls, / and upon the souls of the little children who are enfolded in the abode / which is the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance to Your Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very throne. Father of mercy and of all goodness, / I beg You by the love You bear these souls / and by the delight You take in them: / bless the whole world, / that all souls together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.

CHAPLET OF THE DIVINE MERCY

Easter Thursday, 7th Day of the Novena

Leader: Jesus said: Today bring to Me the souls who especially venerate and glorify My mercy, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over my Passion and entered most deeply into My Spirit. They are living images of My Compassionate Heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death.

Most Merciful Jesus, whose Heart is Love Itself, receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who particularly extol and venerate the greatness of Your mercy. These souls are mighty with the very power of God Himself. In the midst of all afflictions and adversities they go forward, confident of Your mercy. These souls are united to Jesus and carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls will not be judged severely, but Your mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life.

All: Eternal Father, / turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify and venerate Your greatest attribute, / that of Your fathomless mercy, / and who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls are a living Gospel; / their hands are full of deeds of mercy, / and their spirit, overflowing with joy, sings a canticle of mercy to You, / O Most High! I beg You O God: show them Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have placed in You. Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus, / who said to them, / I myself will defend as my own glory, during their lifetime, and especially at the hour of their death, / those souls who will venerate My fathomless mercy. Amen.

CHAPLET OF THE DIVINE MERCY

Easter Friday, 8th Day of the Novena

Leader: Jesus said: Today bring to Me the souls who are in the prison of Purgatory, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice.

Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet, who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of blood and water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of the purifying fire, that in that place, too, the power of Your mercy may be praised.

All: Eternal Father, / turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, / who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. / I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, / and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded, / manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. / Look upon them in no other way / than through the wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son / for we firmly believe / that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen.

CHAPLET OF THE DIVINE MERCY

Easter Saturday, 9th Day of the Novena

Leader: Jesus said: Today bring to Me the souls who have become lukewarm, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: ‘Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.’ For them, the last hope of salvation is to flee to My mercy.

Most compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love, let these tepid souls who, like corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of Your love, and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power.

All: Eternal Father, / turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls, / who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, / I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son / and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: / Let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy. Amen.

CHAPLET OF THE DIVINE MERCY

Turn to Our Lady of Good Help, the apparition of Wisconsin, with this Litany

When Mary appeared to Adele, she urged her to fear nothing because she would help her.

On October 9, 1859, the Queen of Heaven appeared to Adele Brise, a Belgian immigrant in Champion, Wisconsin. In the time following the apparitions, chapels were built at the site, each dedicated to Mary’s title Notre Dame de Bon Secours, or Our Lady of Good Help, a historical devotion dating back several centuries in France, Belgium, and Canada.I detail the historical devotion and prayers in my Prayer Book for Pilgrims available from TAN Books.

In that same book of prayers and devotions, I offered my own Litany to Our Lady of Good Help, invoking several helping titles of Mary and asking her to help us when we face certain things and to help individuals in need of God’s grace.

In the years following the apparition, Adele Brise — affectionately called Sister Adele because she founded a third order of religious sisters — started a school in response to Mary’s message to gather the children and teach them their faith. During one school year, a croup outbreak forced the school to close. On October 8, 1871, a fire threatened the chapel, convent, and school, but the community gathered in prayer, processing a statue of Mary and praying the Rosary.

During this time of pandemic, we turn again to Mary’s intercession. We have prayed the Rosary with the Holy Father and watched him as he prayed before her image during the extraordinary Urbi et Orbi.

I invite you to join me in asking Mary to pray for us, to help us, and to help so many who are in need right now. To this end, I re-wrote the Litany with relevant invocations to our time. Catholic musician Anna Nuzzo, in collaboration with Shalom World TV, recorded an adapted sung version, available here.

When Mary appeared to Adele, she told her that she prays for the conversion of sinners and urged Adele to fear nothing because she would help her. We join Mary in praying for the world and turn to her help, believing as the Angel Gabriel once told her, “Nothing is impossible for God.”

Litany to Our Lady of Good Help During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Written by Fr. Edward Looney

Lord, have mercy.  R. Lord, have mercy.
Christ have mercy. R. Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy.  R. Christ have mercy.

Christ hear us. R. Christ graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven. R. Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the World. R. Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit. R. Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God  R. Have mercy on us.

Response: Pray For Us

Holy Mary
Holy Mother of God
St. Joseph
Queen of Heaven
Queen of Peace
Queen of Families
Comforter of the Afflicted
Undoer of Knots
Star of the Stormy Sea

Our Lady of the Smile
Our Lady of Consolation
Our Lady of Good Health
Our Lady of Good Remedy
Our Lady of Lourdes

Virgin of the Poor
Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Our Lady of Hope
Our Lady of Good Help

Response: Mary, Help Us

In times of trial
In times of confusion
In times of fear
In times of quarantine
In times of isolation
In times of loneliness
In times of pandemic
In times of sickness
In times of uncertainty

Response: Mary Help Them

For government leaders
For scientists and medical researchers
For first responders
For nurses and doctors
For priests and funeral directors
For the Church and Her healing mission
For the sick and the suffering
For pregnant women and their babies
For the elderly
For those with compromised immune systems
For those worried about the future
For the unemployed and financially distressed
For those diagnosed with coronavirus
For those fighting for their life
For those at the hour of death
For those who have lost their life
For those who mourn and grieve

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world
Spare us, O Lord

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world
Graciously hear us, O Lord

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world
Have mercy on us

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ

Let us pray,

Grant O God, through the intercession and mediation of Our Lady of Good Help, all the graces we need in these difficult times. May Our Lady now intercede for us, and as her foot crushes the head of the serpent, may she now squash this virus and stay its spread. In our time of need we fly to your protection and intercession, O Lady of Good Help. Help us not to fear, for God is with us and you are praying for us. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Whenever you’re anxious, say this prayer to find peace

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Let not my soul be troubled, O my dear Savior; and let it not be afraid. I believe that you, Lord, art the greatest good. Help me to look upon this matter in its true light—as it is beheld by you. May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give me the grace to fulfill your heavenly will.

I offer myself to you and I offer the result of my present anxiety. Accept me, I pray, and bear me through this and through every worldly care. With eternity before me, let me see things in their true light.

Grant me true and abiding peace and help me to do all things for your glory and so be admitted into your everlasting rest. Amen.

A short guide to praying the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary

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This ancient spiritual practice helps us enter into the heart of Our Blessed Mother as we recall her sufferings.

Traditionally today was marked as “Friday during Passion Week” and was a separate feast dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The current Roman Missal, which celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows on September 15, still provides an alternative prayer for today (Friday in the Fifth Week of Lent), remembering Mary’s own bitter passion as we enter into Holy Week.

As Christ was the ‘man of sorrows’ (Is 53, 3) through whom it pleased God to have ‘reconciled all things through him and for him, everything in heaven and everything on earth, when he made peace by his death on the cross’ (Col 1, 20), so too, Mary is ‘the woman of sorrows’ whom God associated with his Son as mother and participant in his Passion (socia passionis).” (Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy)

Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows is very ancient, and over time pious customs have been developed to enter into the heart of Mary that was pierced so “thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:35).

One such custom owes its origin to the Servite Order founded in 1233 by a group called the Seven Holy Founders. From the very beginning they sought to live a life dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows.

Through their spirituality they developed what has been called the “Servite Rosary,” also known as the “Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary.” It recalls seven events in the life of Mary when she experienced great sorrow. They are as follows:

  1. The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34–35)
  2. The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13)
  3. The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem (Luke 2:43–45)
  4. The Meeting of Mary and Jesus on his Way to Calvary (traditional)
  5. Standing at the Foot of the Cross (John 19:25)
  6. Jesus Being Taken Down from the Cross (Matthew 27:57–59)
  7. The Burial of Jesus (John 19:40–42)

How to Pray the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary

To pray this chaplet in memory of Our Lady’s Seven Sorrows, the custom is to pray the Our Father once and then the Hail Mary seven times for each sorrow. At the very end, three Hail Marys should be prayed in honor of Our Lady’s tears.

It is suggested when praying the chaplet to say an Act of Contrition at the very beginning, recognizing the role our sins had in Our Lady’s sufferings.

One method that helps facilitate the meditation on Mary’s sorrows is to announce each sorrow before praying the seven Hail Marys. Here is the text given by the Church in the 1910 version of the Raccolta:

With this confidence in my heart, I meditate on the First Sorrow, when Mary, Virgin Mother of my GOD, presented JESUS her only Son in the Temple, laid Him in the arms of holy and aged Simeon, and heard his prophetic word, “The sword of grief shall pierce thy soul,” foretelling thereby the Passion and Death of her Son JESUS.

The Second Sorrow of the Blessed Virgin was when she was obliged to fly into Egypt by reason of the persecution of cruel Herod, who impiously sought to slay her well beloved Son.

The Third Sorrow of the Blessed Virgin was when, after having gone up to Jerusalem at the Paschal Feast with Joseph her spouse and JESUS her beloved Son, she lost Him on the way back to her poor house, and for three days bewailed the loss of her only Love.

The Fourth Sorrow of the Blessed Virgin was when she met her dear Son JESUS carrying to Mount Calvary on his tender shoulders the heavy Cross whereon He was to be crucified for our salvation.

The Fifth Sorrow of the Blessed Virgin was when she saw her Son JESUS raised upon the hard tree of the Cross, and blood flowing from every part of his sacred Body, and then beheld Him die after three hours agony.

The Sixth Sorrow of the Blessed Virgin was when she saw the lance pierce the sacred Side of JESUS, her beloved Son, the nails withdrawn, and his holy Body laid in her purest bosom.

The Seventh and last Sorrow of the Blessed Virgin, Queen and Advocate of us, her servants, miserable sinners, was when she saw the Holy Body of her Son buried in the grave.

V/. Pray for us, Virgin most sorrowful.

R/. That we may be made worthy of the promises of CHRIST.

Let us pray.

GRANT, we beseech Thee, O LORD JESUS CHRIST, that the most blessed Virgin Mary, thy Mother, may intercede for us before the throne of thy mercy, now and at the hour of our death, whose most holy soul was transfixed with the sword of sorrow in the hour of thine own Passion. Through Thee, JESUS CHRIST, SAVIOR of the world, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen. 

The Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows is a beautiful tradition in the Church and allows a soul to walk the via matris, following Mary who kept all of these sorrows in her heart.

A short prayer for spiritual healing

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Don’t forget to ask God to heal your soul and bring peace back into your life.

While the health of the body is extremely important, what is even more vital is the health of our soul. Our eternal destiny depends upon the state of our soul when we die, and whether we are open to the loving presence of God.

Often we have made many mistakes in our lives, and for these wounds, we need Jesus’ healing touch.

Here is a short prayer adapted from A Manual of Prayers for the Use of the Catholic Laity that asks God for spiritual healing, something that we all need.

O Jesus, Healer of our souls, O Lord of Life. Heal me, heal me of my spiritual sickness, You are long-suffering and of tender mercy; heal me, O Lord Jesus Christ.

Accept my supplications, O Holy Spirit, unto whom every heart is open, every desire known, and from whom no secret is hid, and who gives life to our souls; hear and answer, O Spirit of God.

O Heavenly Father, who wills not that any sinner should perish, give me true repentance for this my sins.

O merciful God, pity and forgive me for Jesus’ sake.

Your eyes, O God, are as a flame of fire searching my inmost heart. O pardon my sin, for it is great!

Blessed Jesus, speak for me, plead for me, and grant my soul healing. Amen.

Pray the litany Pope Francis prayed during ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing

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Save us, O Lord. Console us, O Lord.

 

During the solemn hour of prayer led by Pope Francis on March 27, the Holy Father led a special litany. Here is a translation of the prayer:

 

Litany of Supplication

 

WE ADORE YOU, O LORD

 

True God and true man, truly present in this Holy Sacrament,

We adore you, O Lord.

 

Our Savior, God-with-us, faithful and rich in mercy,

We adore you, O Lord.

 

King and Lord of creation and history,

We adore you, O Lord.

 

Conqueror of sin and death,

We adore you, O Lord.

 

Friend of humankind, risen and living at the right hand of the Father,

We adore you, O Lord.

 

WE BELIEVE IN YOU, O LORD

 

Only begotten Son of the Father, who descended from Heaven for our salvation,

We believe in you, O Lord.

 

Heavenly doctor, who inclines over our misery,

We believe in you, O Lord.

 

Sacrificed Lamb, who offers himself to save us from evil,

We believe in you, O Lord.

 

Good Shepherd, who gives his life for the flock he loves,

We believe in you, O Lord.

 

Living bread and medicine of immortality, who gives us Life eternal,

We believe in you, O Lord.

 

FREE US, O LORD

 

From the power of Satan and the seductions of the world,

Free us, O Lord.

 

From pride and from the presumption that we can do without you,

Free us, O Lord.

 

From the deceptions of fear and anguish,

Free us, O Lord.

 

From unbelief and despair,

Free us, O Lord.

 

From hardness of heart and the incapacity to love,

Free us, O Lord.

 

SAVE US, O LORD

 

From all the evils that afflict humanity,

Save us, O Lord.

 

From hunger, famine and egoism,

Save us, O Lord.

 

From disease, epidemics and fear of our brothers and sisters,

Save us, O Lord.

 

From devastating folly, from merciless interests and from violence,

Save us, O Lord.

 

From deception, misinformation and manipulation of consciences,

Save us, O Lord.

 

CONSOLE US, O LORD

 

Look upon your Church, which is crossing the desert,

Console us, O Lord.

 

Look upon humanity, terrified by fear and anguish,

Console us, O Lord.

 

Look upon the sick and dying, oppressed by loneliness,

Console us, O Lord.

 

Look upon doctors and health care workers, overwhelmed by fatigue,

Console us, O Lord.

 

Look upon politicians and administrators, who bear the weight of decisions,

Console us, O Lord.

 

GIVE US YOUR SPIRIT, O LORD

 

In the hour of trial and confusion,

Give us your Spirit, O Lord.

 

In temptation and in weakness,

Give us your Spirit, O Lord.

 

In the battle against evil and sin,

Give us your Spirit, O Lord.

 

In the search for true good and true joy,

Give us your Spirit, O Lord.

 

In the decision to remain in You and in Your friendship,

Give us your Spirit, O Lord.

 

OPEN US TO HOPE, O LORD

 

If sin oppresses us,

Open us to hope, O Lord.

 

If hate closes our hearts,

Open us to hope, O Lord.

 

If suffering visits us,

Open us to hope, O Lord.

 

If indifference distresses us,

Open us to hope, O Lord.

 

If death annihilates us,

Open us to hope, O Lord.

 

Pray the Psalm for the Fifth Sunday of Lent

The Psalm for this Sunday highlights a person in pain, crying out to God for mercy.

The Psalms make up one of the most beautiful books of the Bible, and also one of the most personal. They highlight the personal struggles within one’s heart and the desire for God to intervene.

This Sunday’s Psalm, for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, comes at a providential time in the world, as many struggle from the effects of the coronavirus.

It is the cry of a person struggling in pain, asking God to have mercy. If you don’t know what to pray today, pray Psalm 130 and cry out to God in your distress.

Out of the depths I call to you, Lord;
Lord, hear my cry!
May your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.
If you, Lord, keep account of sins,
Lord, who can stand?
But with you is forgiveness
and so you are revered.

I wait for the Lord,
my soul waits
and I hope for his word.
My soul looks for the Lord
more than sentinels for daybreak.
More than sentinels for daybreak,
let Israel hope in the Lord,
For with the Lord is mercy,
with him is plenteous redemption,
And he will redeem Israel
from all its sins.

The Anima Christi is a perfect prayer of spiritual communion

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“Suffer me not to be separated from Thee …”

While it is commonly used as a prayer after communion, the Anima Christi can also be used as a prayer of spiritual communion when you are unable to receive the Eucharist in Holy Communion.

The prayer is believed to have been written in the 14th century by Pope John XXII, but most know it through the writings of St. Ignatius of Loyola. It remains a beautiful prayer, one that asks God to shower a soul with his loving presence.

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 wounds hide me
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee
From the malignant enemy defend me
In the hour of my death call me
And bid me come unto Thee
That with Thy saints I may praise Thee
Forever and ever.
Amen.

This ancient prayer invokes angelic protection from all harm

Commanders of the heavenly hosts, we who are unworthy beseech you, by your prayers encompass us beneath the wings of your immaterial glory, and faithfully preserve us who fall down and cry to you: “Deliver us from all harm, for you are the commanders of the powers on high!”

Prayer to St. Gabriel for strength during suffering

Tradition says the Archangel comforted Jesus when he was suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane.

St. Gabriel is one of the few archangels mentioned by name in the Bible. He is recorded in the book of Daniel in the Old Testament as well as in the Gospels at the Annunciation, when he delivered the good news of Jesus’ birth to the Virgin Mary.

He is often called the “angel of mercy,” because his few appearances in the Bible are matched with messages of consolation.

Christian tradition claims that St. Gabriel is the angel who appeared to Jesus while he was suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane.

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.” And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him. (Luke 22:42-43)

The Catholic Encyclopedia explains that, “Gabriel is mentioned only twice in the New Testament, but it is not unreasonable to suppose with Christian tradition that it is he who … “strengthened” Our Lord in the garden (cf. the Hymn for Lauds on 24 March).”

This tradition also corresponds with the name of “Gabriel,” which is translated as, “God is my strength.”

Here is an adapted prayer from the The Prayer-book of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri that invokes St. Gabriel’s help in the midst of suffering.

O Gabriel, might of God, who announced to the Virgin Mary the incarnation of the only Son of God, and in the garden consoled and strengthen Christ oppressed with fear and sorrow; I give honor to you, O chosen spirit, and humbly pray to you to be my advocate with Jesus Christ my Savior, and with Mary His Blessed Virgin Mother; in all my trials assist me, lest I be overcome by temptation and may I give praise and thanksgiving to my God in all things. Amen.