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Prayer to keep children safe from harm

raphael

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January 22, 2020

St. Agnes is the patron saint of children and is a known intercessor to keep them safe.

On January 21 the Catholic Church celebrates the life of St. Agnes of Rome, a young girl who at the age of 13 died a martyrs death.

She is normally depicted with a lamb, referring both to her name (Agnes, which sounds like Agnus, or Lamb, in Latin) and her childlike purity.

Here is a short prayer invoking her powerful intercession, especially for children, keeping them out of harm’s way.

St. Agnes, although you were only a child, you believed that Jesus was always with you; help us to remember that he is also with us, and to remain true to his presence.
St. Agnes, you refused to give up your faith; help us to be proud of our faith, to love it, to be strong in it, and to give witness to it daily.
St. Agnes, patron saint of children, watch over the children of the world; keep them safe from harm; be with them in their hour of need; and always pray for them. Amen.

Give your loved ones to God with this prayer from St. Therese of Lisieux

Prayers

raphael

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January 20, 2020

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Give your loved ones to God with this prayer from St. Therese of Lisieux

These words from the Gospel of John were paraphrased by the Little Flower.

Chapter 17 of John’s Gospel harkens back to a great liturgical hymn. In it, Jesus appears in all His glory as the Son, conversing intimately with God, whom He calls “Abba,” a term rarely used in Judaism. “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you Jn 17:1). “The Son came to reveal the Father to the world, it is for those who accepted Him in the faith that He prays. Those who believed have become the children of God” (Jn 1:12) “I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.” (Jn 17: 9-10)

Each of us can appropriate these words of Jesus, applying them to a husband or a wife or children and friends — all those the Lord has entrusted to us. This is what St. Therese of the Child Jesus did. She was an instructor to novices without actually possessing the title and a devoted sister to two missionaries with whom she corresponded. With a certain degree of boldness, she prayed to the Father paraphrasing the words of Jesus:

“I’ve brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. I revealed your name to those you gave me. They were Yours and You have given them to me. They know that everything You have given to me comes from You. For I gave them the words You gave me. They accepted them and they believed that You sent me.” (Manuscript C, 34 r).

Jacques Gauthier

Prayer after communion when feeling depressed

raphael

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January 19, 2020

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Prayer after communion when feeling depressed

Ask God to warm your heart with the heat of his Divine Love.

There will be times in our lives when we attend Mass, receive Holy Communion and still feel the effects of depression. During those moments our hearts are closed off to God’s love and it is difficult for us to let him into our lives.

When we are in such a state, we need to cry out to God and give him a little entry into our heart so that he can set it ablaze with his Divine Love.

Here is a prayer from Mother Mary Loyola in her book, Welcome! Holy Communion, that captures those feelings and is meant to be prayed after receiving Holy Communion, a time when Jesus is within us and knocking at the door of our hearts.

I have you here, I hold you within my narrow heart, O immense, illimitable God! I, poor and weak, possess you, the Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible … Make it easy for me to speak to you. In joy or trouble or uncertainty let my first thought be to consult you.
My heart, dear Lord, is cold and selfish. So was the world when you entered it. But what a change your coming made! Not all at once, but steadily, a marvelous transformation came about. You cast fire upon it, your consuming love for God and man. And the flame spread and is spreading, and all who are yours are called to feed and extend it. But to warm other hearts our own must be aglow. Warm mine, O Lord, by contact with your own!

Ask St. Peter for help to remain faithful in adversity

Prayers

raphael

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January 18, 2020

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Ask St. Peter for help to remain faithful in adversity

St. Peter knows what it feels like to have your faith shaken to its core.

There will be times in our lives when our faith is shaken. It could be something that occurs in our personal life, or it could be something on the news that disturbs us. Whatever it is, St. Peter the Apostle is a powerful intercessor who can help reassure us to remain rooted in our faith.

He experienced first hand what it feels like to abandon Jesus and it did not feel good! St. Peter deeply regretted denying Jesus Christ (three times) and spent the rest of his life atoning for his sin.

Now that he is in Heaven, St. Peter can intercede for us and help us not make the same mistake. Here is a short prayer from the Raccolta, invoking his intercession, placing our faith in his hands.

O Lord, we beseech you, raise us up by the Apostolic might of Blessed Peter your Apostle; that the weaker we are in ourselves, the more powerful may be the assistance whereby we are strengthened through his intercession; that thus, ever fortified by the protection of your Apostle, we may neither yield to sin, nor be overwhelmed by adversity.
O Almighty God, we beseech you, suffer us not, whom you have firmly founded upon the rock of the apostolical confession, ever to be shaken by any storms of the enemy.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pope reveals 3-word prayer that “gets God’s attention”

raphael

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January 17, 2020

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Pope reveals 3-word prayer that “gets God’s attention”

It’s an act of confidence that invites Our Lord to act

Today’s Gospel recounts the story of the leper who approached Jesus with a simple prayer: “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.”

Pope Francis, in his homily at Casa Santa Marta, said this prayer, which is an act of trust, is a prayer that “gets God’s attention.”

“It is a challenge,” the Holy Father reflected, “but also an act of confidence: I know that He can do it, and so I entrust myself to Him.” The leper, he explained, made this prayer because he had seen that Jesus acted with compassion.

Compassion involves itself. It comes from the heart and gets involved, and it leads you to do something. Compassion is “suffering with,” taking the suffering of another person upon yourself in order to resolve it, to heal it. And this was the mission of Jesus. Jesus did not come to preach the law and then leave. Jesus came in compassion, that is, to suffer with and for us and to give us life itself. The love of Jesus is so great that compassion led Him precisely to the Cross, to give His life.

Francis suggested that we often repeat this little prayer — “if you will” — throughout the day, because Jesus is a God of compassion, who involves himself in our sorrows, in the problems of others.

“Lord, if you will, you can heal me; if you will, you can forgive me; if you will, you can help me.” Or, if you want, [you can make it] a little longer: “Lord, I am a sinner, have mercy on me, have compassion on me.” A simple prayer that can be said many times a day. “Lord, I, a sinner, ask you: have mercy on me.” Many times a day, inwardly, from the heart, without saying it out loud: “Lord, if you will, you can; if you will, you can. Have compassion on me.” Repeat this.

The leper, with his simple and “miraculous” prayer, was able to obtain healing thanks to the compassion of Jesus, who loves us despite our sinfulness, the pope reflected.

Jesus is not ashamed of us. “O Father, I am a sinner, how can I say this?…” [That’s even] better! For He came precisely for us sinners, and the greater a sinner you are, the closer the Lord is to you, for He has come for you, the greatest sinner; for me, the greatest sinner; for all of us.
Let us make a habit of repeating this prayer, always: “Lord, if you will, you can do it. If you will, you can do it,” with confidence that the Lord is close to us; and with His compassion, He will take upon Himself our problems, our sins, our inner diseases, everything.

Prayer for my children to Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Prayers

raphael

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January 17, 2020

1

Prayer for my children to Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Virgin Mother, my Mother, watch over them …

Virgin Mother, my Mother, come to the aid of my children!

May your blessing accompany them, guard them, and defend them. May it encourage them, sustain them in every difficulty, and in every place.

When they go off to work or to play, when they move from place to place, at every step they take, Virgin Mother, my Mother, watch over them.

When they face challenges and suffering, when the Evil One tries to seduce them with the attractions of pleasure, of violence, of temptation, of bad example, Virgin Mother, my Mother, watch over them.

Virgin Mother, watch over them and preserve them from every evil.

When they approach the Sacred Banquet to be fed with the Bread of Angels, with the Word that was made flesh in your womb, Virgin Mother, my Mother, bless my children.

When at night they prepare to rest so as to rise again with new energy, watch over their slumber and make each new day a step toward their eternal Homeland.

Virgin Mother, my Mother, bless my children, descend over them, in the day and in the night, in moments of joy and moments of sadness, in health and in sickness, in life and in death.

Bring them to live with you forever in eternity. Amen.

St. John XXIII urged a “crusade of prayer” for Church unity

raphael

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January 16, 2020

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St. John XXIII urged a “crusade of prayer” for Church unity

The beloved pontiff firmly believed that prayer could unite a divided Church.

During his pontificate, St. John XXIII was a big proponent of Church unity. He wrote an entire encyclical on the topic entitled Ad petri cathedram, which addressed unity not only among Christians in general, but also within the Catholic Church.

Above all else he believed prayer was essential to establish unity, echoing Jesus’ own prayer that “they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me” (John 17:21).

St. John XXIII went so far as to call for a “crusade of prayer” for unity. The context of his “crusade” was the upcoming Second Vatican Council, and while that event has already passed, we can affirm that the unity of the Church in the 21st century, “will depend more on a crusade of fervent prayer than on human effort and diligent application.”

Here are the words of his exhortation to prayer, something that we should all meditate on and consider in our own lives, doing all that we can for unity within the Catholic Church.

We address suppliant prayers to our gracious God, the giver of heavenly light and of all good things, that He safeguard the unity of the Church and extend the fold and kingdom of Christ. We urge all Our brethren in Christ and Our beloved sons to pray fervently for the same intentions. The outcome of the approaching Ecumenical Council will depend more on a crusade of fervent prayer than on human effort and diligent application. And so with loving heart We also invite to this crusade all who are not of this fold but reverence and worship God and strive in good faith to obey His commands.

May the divine plea of Christ further and fulfill this hope and these prayers of Ours: “Holy Father, keep in thy name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one even as we are … Sanctify them in the truth. Thy word is truth … Yet not for these only do I pray, but for those also who through their word are to believe in m … that they may be perfected in unity …”

We repeat this prayer, as does the whole Catholic world in union with Us. We are spurred by a burning love for all men, but also by that interior humility which the gospel teaches. For We know the lowliness of him whom God raised to the dignity of the Sovereign Pontificate, not because of Our merits, but according to His mysterious designs. Wherefore, to all Our brethren and sons who are separated from the Chair of Blessed Peter, We say again: “I am . . . Joseph, your brother.” Come, “make room for us.” (41) We want nothing else, desire nothing else, pray God for nothing else but your salvation, your eternal happiness.

Prayer before Communion for spiritual healing

raphael

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January 15, 2020

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Prayer before Communion for spiritual healing

Jesus is the Divine Physician and wants to heal us in the Eucharist.

Sometimes approaching Holy Communion on Sunday can become routine, and we lose the sacredness of the event. It’s too easy to forget that Jesus Christ is there, truly present under the appearance of bread and wine.

We need to remember that Jesus is not there for his sake, but expressly for our salvation. He wants to be in communion with us and enter our body so that he can enter more deeply into our soul.

One way we can recall this profound truth is to recall Jesus’ role as the Divine Physician. If we are experiencing any hurt or sorrow in our heart, Jesus would like to come and heal those wounds with his love and mercy.

Here is a short prayer by Mother Mary Loyola, published in the book Welcome! Holy Communion that can help awaken in us a desire to let Jesus heal our broken hearts in Holy Communion.

[Jesus, you] encourage me to draw near to you to touch you in Holy Communion with faith and hope, to lay open to you, divine Physician, the wounds of my soul that you may heal them.

I am sick and weak—for ever halting on the upward road; soon tired; easily discouraged; unequal to serious or prolonged effort; always looking out for ease and rest.

I am blind to my faults, prompt, at least, to excuse in myself what I heartily condemn in another. I am negligent in my duty of supervision, blind to harm going on around me which I ought to know and check and for which I shall be held accountable. My God, illuminate my darkness. Lord, that I may see!

I am deaf. Inspirations come and I heed them not. I know they are your voice, prompting or reproaching me, suggesting a good thought, a kind word or act.

No praise wells up in my heart; no cry for mercy comes to my lips. I have no eager welcome for you who comes so far to be my Guest. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise. Set my heart free to pour itself out before you. Teach me to pray, that by prayer I may obtain from you the supply of all I need.

Leprous, palsied, blind, deaf, dumb—surely I need the visit of the Physician!

Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me. Son of David, have mercy on me!

How to bless your home with Epiphany chalk

raphael

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January 13, 2020

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It is a powerful blessing that lasts the whole year.

How to bless your home with Epiphany chalk? Each year around the feast of the Epiphany many parishes throughout the world participates in an annual blessing of chalk. It is an ancient tradition that not only places God at the entrance of your home, but it also places your entire family under his protection.

The Epiphany blessing of chalk and homes is a centuries-old tradition where priests would visit each home in their parish after the Feast of the Epiphany. Over time it became more difficult to accomplish such a feat as parishes became larger and larger and priests were stretched thin. For this reason, it became an accepted tradition that a member of the household is able to lead this blessing in place of the priest.

The blessing has biblical roots, deeply tied to the Passover in the book of Exodus.

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt … “take some of the blood [of the lamb], and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat them. They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it … The blood shall be a sign for you, upon the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall fall upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” (cf. Exodus 12:1-13)

It is no coincidence that the Epiphany blessing is traditionally written on the lintel of the main doorway and even some of the prayers echo God’s words of protection that he gave to Moses. While the Epiphany blessing was not given in the same manner as it was to Moses, the Church provides it for our own spiritual benefit. The Church desires our salvation and so gives us beautiful sacramentals to assist us along the path to Eternal Life.

Traditionally a priest blesses chalk on the Feast of the Epiphany by saying the following prayer (from the Roman Ritual):

Bless, + O Lord God, this creature, chalk, and let it be a help to mankind. Grant that those who will use it with faith in your most holy name, and with it inscribe on the doors of their homes the names of your saints, Casper, Melchior, and Baltassar, may through their merits and intercession enjoy health in body and protection of soul; through Christ our Lord.

The chalk is then distributed after Mass. If your local parish does not administer such a blessing, inquire around and see if any neighboring parishes do. Parishioners then take the chalk home and use it while invoking God’s blessing upon their home.

It is a beautiful blessing, one that brings many graces upon those who practice it in faith and is an added protection against any spiritual enemies that may be lurking around.

The Blessing

Once you acquire the blessed chalk, either a priest or another member of the household can bless the home in the following manner (adapted from the Roman Ritual):

Upon entering the house [or at the front door]:

Priest/Head of Household: Peace be to this house.
All: And to all who dwell herein.
Priest: From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures they offered precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial.

During the Magnificat, the room is sprinkled with holy water and incensed.

All: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.

After this is completed:

All: From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures they offered precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial.

Priest: 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 and lead us not into temptation,
All: But deliver us from evil.
Priest: All they from Saba shall come
All: Bringing gold and frankincense.
Priest: O Lord, hear my prayer.
All: And let my cry come unto Thee.

Priest:
Let us pray. O God, who by the guidance of a star didst on this day manifest Thine only-begotten Son to the Gentiles, mercifully grant that we who know Thee by faith may also attain the vision of Thy glorious majesty. Through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.
Priest: Be enlightened, be enlightened, O Jerusalem, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee– Jesus Christ born of the Virgin Mary.
All: And the Gentiles shall walk in thy light and kings in the splendor of thy rising, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon thee.

Priest: Let us pray. Bless, O Lord God almighty, this home, that in it there may be health, purity, the strength of victory, humility, goodness and mercy, the fulfillment of Thy law, the thanksgiving to God the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. And may this blessing remain upon this home and upon all who dwell herein. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

After the prayers of the blessing are recited, walk through the house and bless each room by sprinkling with Epiphany/holy water and incensing it.

Take the blessed chalk and first write the initials of the three Wise Men, connected with Crosses, over the inside of your front door (on the lintel, if possible). Then write the year, breaking up the numbers and the year so that they fall on both sides of the initials. It should look like this, for example

20 C+M+B 20

with the “20 “being the millennium and century, the “C” standing for the first Wise Man, Caspar, the “M” standing for Melchior, the “B” standing for Balthasar, and the “20” standing for the decade and year. It is also popularly believed that the Kings’ initials stand for “Christus mansionem benedicat” (“Christ bless this house”).

Sometimes our own mind is our worst enemy and needs to be cleansed by God.

At times it can be easy to avoid certain situations that could lead us to sin. All we have to do is avoid a particular place, or maybe a person who frequently leads us down the wrong path.

However, what can be more difficult to avoid is our own thoughts and imagination.

Depending on what your struggle may be, controlling your thoughts can be a difficult task to accomplish. It could be connected to pornography, or even thoughts related to gossip. Whatever it is, you will need some heavenly help.

Here is a brief prayer from the Golden Manual that can be prayed before receiving Holy Communion. It asks God to purify our mind and chase away those thoughts that assault us. With God, all things are possible and often all it takes is for us to present our need before God. If we pray with an open and contrite heart, we can be certain that he will hear our cry and help us in our need.

May this Communion deliver me from the tyranny of my bad thoughts, break off the yoke of my evil habits, and dispose me always to the practice of your holy commandments. Let nothing separate me from you, O Jesus; not the attractions of the world, nor the illusions of sense, nor the wanderings of my imagination, nor the evil passions of my heart.

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Recent Comments

Articles

Prayers

Exhortations

Saints and More

St. Agnes is the patron saint of children and is a known intercessor to keep them safe.

These words from the Gospel of John were paraphrased by the Little Flower.

Ask God to warm your heart with the heat of his Divine Love.

St. Peter knows what it feels like to have your faith shaken to its core.

It’s an act of confidence that invites Our Lord to act

Virgin Mother, my Mother, watch over them …

The beloved pontiff firmly believed that prayer could unite a divided Church.

Jesus is the Divine Physician and wants to heal us in the Eucharist.

It is a powerful blessing that lasts the whole year.

The Blessing

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Sometimes our own mind is our worst enemy and needs to be cleansed by God.

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