Catholicsay | Sharing the faith as received

Day 2 of a powerful novena to St. Joseph

raphael

-

March 11, 2020

Day 2 of a powerful novena to St. Joseph

If you missed the first day, jump in anyway.

As we prepare for the feast of St. Joseph on March 19, let us entrust to him, as protector of the Church, our needs. Here is Day 2 of the novena:

O Glorious St. Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, to you do we raise our hearts and hands, to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the benign Heart of Jesus all the helps and graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special favor we now implore.

[Mention request]

O Glorious St. Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin, obtain for us a pure, humble, and charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the divine Will.

Be our guide, father and model through life, that we may merit to die as you did, in the arms of Jesus and Mary.

Memorare to St. Joseph

Remember, most pure spouse of Mary, ever Virgin, my loving protector, St. Joseph, that no one ever had recourse to your protection or asked for your aid without obtaining relief. Confiding, therefore, in your goodness, I come before you and humbly implore you. Despise not my petitions, foster-father of the Redeemer, but graciously receive them. Amen.

Day 2

O blessed St. Joseph,
tenderhearted father,
faithful guardian of Jesus,
chaste spouse of the Mother of God,
we pray and beseech you to offer to God the Father,
His divine son,
bathed in blood on the Cross for sinners.

And through the thrice holy name of Jesus
obtain for us of the eternal Father
the favor for which we implore your intercession:

(State your request here…)

Amid the splendors of eternity,
forget not the sorrows of those who pray,
those who weep;
stay the almighty arm that smites us,
that by your prayers and those of your most holy spouse,
the Heart of Jesus may be moved to pity and to pardon.

Amen.

Concluding prayer

O St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God,

I place in you all my interests and desires. O St. Joseph, assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.

O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me, and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. Amen O St. Joseph, hear my prayers and obtain my petitions.

O St. Joseph, pray for me.

Turn to St. Joseph with this powerful novena: Day 1

raphael

-

March 10, 2020

0

Turn to St. Joseph with this powerful novena: Day 1

Could there be any more powerful intercessor than the saint who protected and defended our Savior?

Anovena is nine days of prayer to prepare us for a great feast or occasion (on the 10th day). Novenas are rooted in the days that the Apostles spent with Our Lady in the Upper Room as they awaited the Holy Spirit.

Here is a novena to St. Joseph, whose feast we celebrate on March 19.

O Glorious St. Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, to you do we raise our hearts and hands, to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the benign Heart of Jesus all the helps and graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special favor we now implore.

[Mention request]

O Glorious St. Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin, obtain for us a pure, humble, and charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the divine Will.

Be our guide, father and model through life, that we may merit to die as you did, in the arms of Jesus and Mary.

Memorare to St. Joseph:

Remember, most pure spouse of Mary, ever Virgin, my loving protector, Saint Joseph, that no one ever had recourse to your protection or asked for your aid without obtaining relief. Confiding, therefore, in your goodness, I come before you and humbly implore you. Despise not my petitions, foster-father of the Redeemer, but graciously receive them. Amen.

Day 1:

O great St. Joseph,
with feelings of unlimited confidence,
we beg you to bless this novena that we begin in your honor.
“You are never invoked in vain” says the seraphic St. Theresa of Jesus.
Be you then to me
what you have been to your most holy Spouse: protector, provider, and custodian,
and graciously hear me as you did Her.

Amen.

Concluding prayer:

O Saint Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God,

I place in you all my interests and desires. O Saint Joseph, assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.

O Saint Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me, and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. Amen O Saint Joseph, hear my prayers and obtain my petitions.

O Saint Joseph, pray for me.

Restore your health with this prayer to God

raphael

-

March 7, 2020

0

Restore your health with this prayer to God

Ask God to remove your sickness and return you to full health.

God permits many things to occur in our lives, and sickness is one of them that is often difficult to handle. We may have done all that we could to lead healthy lives, but we still become sick.

Depending on our situation and the severity of our illness, we may suffer greatly from it and not know what to do.

While we should always consult our physician and get the medical help we need, we should also cry out to God, who has the power to heal our ailments.

Here is a short prayer from the Manual of Prayers that asks God to restore us to health.

Heavenly Father, who in your wisdom knows what is best for me, if it seem good in your sight, remove from me this sickness which I now feel, that I may employ my health to your glory, and praise your name. I know, O my God, that you send this sickness on me for my good, even to humble and to prove me; O grant that it may not fail to work that saving effect in me. Amen.

5 Prayers of love honoring Jesus’ crucifixion

raphael

-

March 6, 2020

0

5 Prayers of love honoring Jesus’ crucifixion

Express to Jesus the love you have for him and all that he did for you on Mt. Calvary.

The love Jesus has for us is often difficult to fully grasp. He took upon himself the heavy weight of the cross and died so that we might live.

Our response to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross should be one of love and gratitude.

Here are five short prayers from the Manual of Prayers that express our love of Jesus, specifically the love he showered on us on Mt. Calvary.

O GOOD JESUS, CRUCIFIED FOR US; NAIL MY WILL TO YOUR CROSS, FOR LOVE OF YOU.

GOOD JESUS, GIVE ME A DEEP LOVE FOR YOU, THAT NOTHING MAY BE TOO HARD FOR ME TO BEAR FROM YOU.

O GOOD JESUS, MY GOD, AND MY ALL, KEEP ME EVER NEAR YOU, LET NOTHING FOR A MOMENT SEPARATE ME FROM YOU.

GOOD JESUS, TO YOU I FLEE; HIDE ME IN YOUR SACRED SIDE.

GOOD JESUS, WHO HAST BORNE SO PATIENTLY WITH ME; MAKE ME WHOLLY PATIENT FOR LOVE OF YOU.

Cure the Coronavirus: Prayers to 2 Incredible Saints Who Miraculously Defeated Plagues

raphael

-

March 5, 2020

1

Cure the Coronavirus: Prayers to 2 Incredible Saints Who Miraculously Defeated Plagues

How can we end the world’s coronavirus outbreak? These two saints might be the answer.

Two saints miraculously cured plagues: St. Roch and St. Rosalie. Below are their incredible stories, as well as prayers invoking their powerful intercession.

St. Roch

Born of a noble family, tradition says St. Roch was miraculously born with a red cross on his breast.

St. Roch gave all of his fortune to the poor at age 20 after his parents died. In 1315, he assisted plague victims in several Italian cities, miraculously curing people with the sign of the cross. While helping the sick, he also contracted the disease.

However, the saint survived after a dog helped him in the forest. The dog brought him food and licked his wounds. He was later mistaken for a spy and spent the rest of his life in prison.

According to tradition, an angel appeared in St. Roch’s cell after his death. The angel said that those who invoked his intercession would be cured of the plague.

Prayer to St. Roch

O Blessed Saint Roch,
Patron of the sick,
Have pity on those
Who lie upon a bed of suffering.

Your power was so great
When you were in this world,
That by the sign of the Cross,
Many were healed of their diseases.

Now that you are in heaven,
Your power is not less.
Offer, then, to God
Our sighs and tears
And obtain for us that health we seek
Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

(Repeat the following 3 times)

Saint Roch, pray for us,
That we may be preserved
From all diseases of body and soul.

St. Rosalie

The Church knows little about St. Rosalie‘s life. Her story begins 500 years after her death.

In 1625, the city of Palermo in Sicily, Italy suffered a terrible plague. She appeared to a hunter, telling him to find her remains in a cave. She asked him to bring her remains into the city, citizens processed three times with her relics through Palermo. The plague then miraculously ended.

St. Rosalie became the patroness of Palermo A sanctuary stands where the hunter found her remains.

Prayer to St. Rosalie:

“Father in heaven, we thank You for the communion of saints so that we can draw near to You through the prayers of St. Rosalie. Through her prayers, help us to remember that our destiny is heaven.

As St. Rosalie gave up all things in this world for the sake of Your Kingdom, through her prayers, may we love more fully Your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, who together with You and the Holy Spirit are one God forever and ever. Amen.

O God, our Father, mercifully look upon Your people who come to You and grant through the intercession of St. Rosalie, who turned away from earthly delights to the joys of contemplation, that we may be delivered from all harm here on earth and one day be welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven.

St. Rosalie, confessor and virgin, we pray to God for our families and friends. Through your powerful prayers, may we obtain health, life, and eternal salvation.

I also pray today for this special need and intention (make your intention known). O glorious virgin and confessor, St. Rosalie, I promise henceforth to remember and follow your example of faith and love. Pray for me and mine.

Amen.”

Prayer for Coronavirus Victims:

Sts. Roch and Rosalie, please pray for us and protect us from all disease!

A short and simple devotion for every Friday of Lent

raphael

-

February 28, 2020

0

A short and simple devotion for every Friday of Lent

The “Seven Fridays” devotion recalls Jesus passion on each Friday of Lent.

Over the centuries the Church has developed numerous devotions that anyone can engage in during Lent. Besides the more popular Stations of the Cross, one short and simple devotion was promoted by various popes over the years.

It is found in the Raccolta, a collection of approved devotions published in the 19th century. There is a brief description of this devotion focused on the Fridays of Lent, though it can be used any time throughout the year.

[Pope Pius VII encouraged] all the faithful … on the seven Fridays in Lent (on which days we specially call to mind the Passion and Death of our divine Lord Jesus Christ)…[to meditate on] a collection of affectionate colloquies for each of the seven Fridays, addressed to Jesus in His Passion, calling to the mind all He suffered for love of us, from His agony in the garden of Gethsemane to His death on Mount Calvary.
[Those] who have not in their possession [a book of meditations], may supply the want of it by visiting any church or public oratory on any one of the aforesaid Fridays, and praying for the intention of the Pope, and devoutly reciting seven Our Fathers, seven Hail Marys, and seven Glory Be, before any image or picture of Jesus crucified, in memory of all that He suffered for our redemption.

Seven is the biblical number of “perfection,” and so it is fitting to meditate on these seven Fridays on the perfect love God has for us, as revealed in Jesus’ Passion.

This devotion is very simple and can be done anywhere, not restricted to the church building. It is a way that we can pause for a few minutes to recall Jesus’ Passion and death, dwelling on the perfection of his love.

If you are looking for something quick and easy to do, try the Seven Fridays devotion!

Worried about the Coronavirus? Pray to St. Sebastian, as Catholics have been doing for centuries

raphael

-

February 27, 2020

0

Worried about the Coronavirus? Pray to St. Sebastian, as Catholics have been doing for centuries

St. Sebastian is considered the protector against the plague, a nasty contagious illness that wiped out millions of lives in Europe during the Middle Ages.

In recent weeks, the outbreak of the Coronavirus disease has led millions of people around the world to worry about their health. For centuries, Catholics have been counting on an early Christian martyr to protect them from infectious disease.

St. Sebastian is considered the protector against the plague, a nasty contagious illness that wiped out millions of lives in Europe during the Middle Ages. It was during the 7th century in particular that believers started to address their prayers toward St. Sebastian during a violent outbreak of plague in Pavia, in northern Italy. Known for the suffering he endured during his death, St. Sebastian was killed around 288 during Roman emperor Diocletian‘s persecution of Christians. His death has inspired countless artists over the centuries.

Here is a list of the most poignant portraits of “the plague protector.”

1. Saint Sebastian of Vienna, Andrea Mantegna (1456–1459)

Early Renaissance master Andrea Mantegna completed three portraits of St. Sebastian, currently held in Vienna, Paris and Venice. Out of these three paintings, the “St. Sebastian of Vienna,” held at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, is the most significant as it was commissioned by the mayor of Mantua, Italy, to celebrate the end of a plague outbreak in the city. Here, Mantegna abandons the classical representation of St. Sebastian tied to a pole and pictures him leaning against a structure that looks like the gate to a city or a triumphal arch. St. Sebastian has an elegant posture and looks up to the heavens as he endures the pain of martyrdom.

2. St. Sebastian, Perugino, 1495

Currently housed at the Louvre museum in Paris, this oil on wood painting by 16th-century master Perugino offers a very harmonious depiction of the death of St. Sebastian. The saint’s body reflects traits of ideal beauty typical of Renaissance paintings that trace all the way back to ancient Greece. The light in this work is well-balanced and diffused, a practice that Perugino probably learned from Flemish masters he encountered in his travels to Northern Europe. In the bottom of the panel you can read an inscription, “SAGITTAE. TUAE.INFIXAE. SUNT. MICHI”, from Psalm 37.3, meaning “thine arrows are fixed in me.”

3. St. Sebastian, Antonello Da Messina, 1477-9

Once part of a triptych that has been lost, this work by Renaissance master Antonello da Messina displays traits typical of the Renaissance canon, such as the use of perspective and a geometrical disposition of subjects and landscape. Da Messina mixes this Renaissance style with elements of Flemish and Gothic painting, such as the monumental look of buildings, giving rise to one of the most interesting portraits of St. Sebastian. This painting is currently kept in the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, Dresden, Germany.

4. St. Sebastian cured by women, Spagnoletto, 17th century

When it comes to conveying humanity, it is probably Spanish painter José de Ribera, known as Spagnoletto, who has left the most poignant portrait of St. Sebastian. In this oil on panel the artist represents the pain, but also the saintliness, of St. Sebastian as he has his wounds cured by a benevolent woman.

Saint Sebastian cured by women, Spagnoletto

Ask God to bring happiness into your life with this prayer

raphael

-

February 17, 2020

1

Ask God to bring happiness into your life with this prayer

Sometimes our faults and mistakes can weigh us down, but God can show us the way to true joy.

We all make mistakes, but sometimes our blunders are difficult to overcome. Some of us continually blame ourselves and sink into a depressed mood. While feeling bad about something you did is sometimes a good thing, we don’t need to fall into a pit of despair.Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.

In fact, Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). God desires our ultimate happiness and will gladly take our burdens and lift our spirits.

Here is a short prayer from the Golden Manual that can help orient our prayer to God, asking him to bring us much needed happiness and remove the sadness from our hearts.

Jesus, comfort me, and give me grace to place my chief, my only joy and happiness in you.

Bring often to my remembrance your unspeakable goodness, your gifts, and your great kindness shown to me.

And when you bring to my mind the sad remembrance of my sins, whereby I have so unkindly offended you, comfort me with the assurance of obtaining your grace, by the spirit of perfect penance, purging away my guilt, and preparing me for your kingdom.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, comfort me.

Prayer to St. Jude for healing of relationships

raphael

-

February 14, 2020

0

Prayer to St. Jude for healing of relationships

This prayer is often prayed for marriages that are in trouble.

St. Jude the Apostle is the general patron saint of “lost causes” or “desperate situations.” This is because Jude was a saint who was often forgotten throughout history because of his name. In Latin his name is “Judas,” but he is not the same person as Judas Iscariot. People were afraid of praying to him, thinking they might be praying to the “betrayer” instead.

Nevertheless, in spite of being forgotten, anyone who did pray to St. Jude in faith was rewarded with miraculous intervention. Hence, ever since he has become a favorite saint of many who are in desperate need.

Among the many prayers to him, a popular one is a prayer to St. Jude for the healing of relationships. This is especially the case for marriages that are in trouble and need divine intervention.

If you are in need of some heavenly help with your troubled relationship, ask St. Jude for help. He understands what it means to be misunderstood and forgotten.

St. Jude, we have problems in our relationship.
Beg almighty God to give us the light to see ourselves and each other as we really are.

Help us to grow daily in self-knowledge and mutual love while at the same time developing our potential to love and be loved.

Help us, St. Jude, to see and root out every manifestation of selfishness, vanity, and childish self-seeking those hidden enemies of love and maturity.

Show us that by learning to love and being filled with love we may compliment and nurture each other as we share our lives together.

Amen.

Novena prayer for those seeking a spouse

raphael

-

February 13, 2020

0

Novena prayer for those seeking a spouse

This prayer was recently published by the Catholic Church in England and Wales.

Oddly enough, in today’s world of modern global communication, finding a spouse has only gotten more difficult.

For those called to the vocation of marriage, God is ready to lead you to someone who will be an aid to your sanctification. Not everyone is called to matrimony, but for those who are, God is the one to invoke for heavenly assistance.

Below is a prayer published by the bishops of England and Wales, as printed by Catholic Herald. It is designed to be a novena, prayed for nine consecutive days.

Remember, God always answers our prayers, though not always in the way we expect.

When praying this prayer, open your heart to God and allow him to guide your life. He knows what is best for us, and our job is to trust in him.

Loving Father,
You know that the deepest desire of my heart is to meet someone that I can share my life with.
I trust in your loving plan for me and ask that I might meet soon the person that you have prepared for me.
Through the power of your Holy Spirit, open my heart and mind so that I recognise my soulmate.
Remove any obstacles that may be in the way of this happy encounter,
So that I might find a new sense of wholeness, joy and peace.
Give me the grace too, to know and accept, if you have another plan for my life.
I surrender my past, present and future into the tender heart of your Son, Jesus,
Confident that my prayer will be heard and answered.
Amen.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
St Valentine, pray for me.

sharing the faith received

sharing the faith received

Recent Comments

Articles

Prayers

Exhortations

Saints and More

Recent Comments

Articles

Prayers

Exhortations

Saints and More

If you missed the first day, jump in anyway.

Memorare to St. Joseph

Day 2

Concluding prayer

Could there be any more powerful intercessor than the saint who protected and defended our Savior?

Memorare to St. Joseph:

Day 1:

Concluding prayer:

Ask God to remove your sickness and return you to full health.

Express to Jesus the love you have for him and all that he did for you on Mt. Calvary.

O GOOD JESUS, CRUCIFIED FOR US; NAIL MY WILL TO YOUR CROSS, FOR LOVE OF YOU.

GOOD JESUS, GIVE ME A DEEP LOVE FOR YOU, THAT NOTHING MAY BE TOO HARD FOR ME TO BEAR FROM YOU.

O GOOD JESUS, MY GOD, AND MY ALL, KEEP ME EVER NEAR YOU, LET NOTHING FOR A MOMENT SEPARATE ME FROM YOU.

GOOD JESUS, TO YOU I FLEE; HIDE ME IN YOUR SACRED SIDE.

GOOD JESUS, WHO HAST BORNE SO PATIENTLY WITH ME; MAKE ME WHOLLY PATIENT FOR LOVE OF YOU.

St. Roch

St. Rosalie

Sts. Roch and Rosalie, please pray for us and protect us from all disease!

The “Seven Fridays” devotion recalls Jesus passion on each Friday of Lent.

St. Sebastian is considered the protector against the plague, a nasty contagious illness that wiped out millions of lives in Europe during the Middle Ages.

Sometimes our faults and mistakes can weigh us down, but God can show us the way to true joy.

This prayer is often prayed for marriages that are in trouble.

This prayer was recently published by the Catholic Church in England and Wales.

sharing the faith received

Support

Favorites

Newsletter