Prayers During the Day
Grace Before Meals
Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts which we are about to receive from Thy bounty through Christ our Lord
R. Amen.
Grace After Meals
We give Thee thanks, almighty God, for all Thy benefits, Who livest and reignest world without end.
R. Amen.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to reward with eternal life all those who do us good for Thy name's sake.
R. Amen.
V. Let us bless the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.
V. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen.
Act of Faith
O my God! I firmly believe all the sacred truths which the Catholic Church believes and teaches, because Thou, Who canst neither deceive nor be deceived, hast revealed them.
Act of Hope
O my God, trusting in Thy promises and relying on Thy infinite power and goodness, I hope to obtain pardon for my sins, the assistance of Thy grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer.
Act of Charity
O my God, I love Thee with my whole heart and above all things, because Thou art the Supreme Good and worthy of all our love. I am sorry for having displeased Thy infinite goodness by my sins. I desire to do Thy holy will and to love Thee more and more. For the love of Thee I will love my neighbor as myself.
The Sovereign Pontiff, Benedict XIV, considering that it is not only useful, but also truly necessary, for eternal salvation to make frequent acts of the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity, in order to excite the faithful to make these acts, granted, by a decree of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, Jan. 28, 1756, confirming the grant already made by Benedict XIII, Jan. 15, 1728, a plenary indulgence, once, a month, to all those who shall, daily, devoutly say, and, at the same time, make with their heart these acts. This indulgence may be gained on any day, when, being truly penitent, after confession and communion, they shall pray for peace and union among Christian princes, for the extirpation of heresy, and for the triumph of Holy Church.
He granted in like manner a plenary indulgence at the hour of death. Finally, to excite the faithful to a very frequent use of these acts, he extended the indulgence of Seven years and seven quarantines which, by the grant of his predecessor, could be gained only once a day, to every time that these acts are said with heartfelt devotion.
The same Sovereign Pontiff further declared that, to gain these indulgences, it is not necessary to make use of any set form of words, but that any one may use any form of words which he pleases, provided it expresses the particular motive of each of the three theological virtues.
The Angelus
The angel of the, Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived by the Holy Ghost.
Hail, Mary, etc.
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
Hail, Mary, etc.
V. And the Word was made Flesh.
R. And dwelt among us.
Hail, Mary, etc.
Let us pray
Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that as we have known the incarnation of Christ Thy Son by the message of an angel, so, by His passion and cross, we may be brought to the glory of His resurrection; through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Regina Caeli
During Eastertide, from Holy Saturday till Trinity Sunday, instead of the Angelus, the Regina Coeli is recited standing.
Queen of heaven, rejoice,
Alleluia.
For He Whom thou didst deserve to bear,
Alleluia.
Hath risen as He said,
Alleluia.
Pray for us to God,
Alleluia.
V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary!
Alleluia.
R. Because Our Lord is truly risen,
Alleluia.
Let us pray
O God, Who by the resurrection of Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, hast vouchsafed to make glad the whole world, grant, we beseech Thee, that, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His mother, we may attain the. joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Sovereign Pontiff Benedict XIII, by a brief, Jnjunctce nobis, Sept. 14, 1724, granted a plenary indulgence,
once a month, to all the faithful who, every day, at the
sound of the bell, in the morning, or at noon, or in the
evening at sunset, shall say devoutly, on their knees, the
Angelus Domini, with the Hail Mary, three times, on any
day when, being truly penitent, after confession and communion, they shall pray for peace and union among Christian princes, for the extirpation of heresy, and for the
triumph of Holy Mother Church; also an indulgence of
one hundred days, on all the other days in the year, every
time that, with contrite heart and devotion, they shall say
these prayers. — The New Raccolta.
Salve Regina
In the Morning
HAIL, holy queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope; to thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve, to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus, O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!
V. Make me worthy to praise thee, holy virgin.
R. Give me strength against thine enemies.
V. Blessed be God in His saints.
R, Amen.
Sub Tuum Praesidium
In the Evening
We fly to thy patronage, O holy mother of God! despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all dangers, O ever glorious and blessed virgin.
V, Make me worthy to praise thee, holy virgin.
R. Give me strength against thine enemies.
V. Blessed be God in His saints.
R. Amen.
The Sovereign Pontiff, Pius VI, by a decree of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, April 5, 1786, granted an indulgence of one hundred days, once a day, to aU the faithful who, moved by the true spirit of religion to atone in some manner for the insults offered to the most blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Go4, and to the saints, and to defend and promote .the veneration of their holy images, shall say, with at least contrite heart and devotion, the Salve Regina, with the versicles, Dignare me and Benedictus Deus, in the morning, and Sub tuum presidium, with the same versicles, in the evening: Also an indulgence of seven years and seven Quarantines on all the Sundays of the year. -Ibid.
Prayer before Meditation or Spiritual Reading
My God, I firmly believe that Thou art here present, and I humbly adore Thee in union with the angels and saints. I am sorry for having sinned, because Thou art infinitely good and sin displeases Thee.
I love Thee above all things and with my whole heart. I offer Thee all that I am and all that I have — my soul with all its faculties, my body with all its senses.
Enlighten my understanding and inflame my will, that I may know and do what is pleasing to Thee. Our Lady of light, spouse of the Holy Ghost, pray for me.
Prayer to the Holy Ghost
COME, O Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.
V. Send forth Thy spirit and they shall be created.
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray
O God, Who hast taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the gift of the same spirit we may be always truly wise, and ever rejoice in His consolations, through Christ out Lord.
R. Amen.
Ejaculations
Our Lady of Good Studies, pray for us!
Indulgence of 300 days.— Pius X, May 22 1906
Prayer after Meditation or Spiritual Reading
O my God, I give Thee heartfelt thanks for all the graces Thou hast conferred on me during this meditation. Pardon me, I beseech Thee* all the negligence and all the distractions of which I have been guilty. Give me strength to carry out the resolutions that I have made. Fortify me, that from henceforth I may diligently practise this virtue. . . avoid this fault. . . perform this action. . . to Thy honor. Help me to keep my good resolutions, O sweet Virgin Mary; and do thou, my good angel, recall them to my memory, if I should ever forget or neglect them. Omnia ad major em Dei gloriam!
Indulgence for Mental Prayer
The Sovereign Pontiff, Benedict XIV, in the brief, Quemadmodum, Dec. 16, 1746, granted to all the faithful who shall make mental prayer devoutly for half an hour, or at least for a quarter of an hour, every day, for a month, a plenary indulgence, once a month, on the day when, being truly penitent, after confession and communion, they shall pray devoutly for peace and union among Christian princes, for the extirpation of heresy, and for the triumph of the Church. — The New Raccolta.
Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas before Study
WHICH HE WAS ACCUSTOMED TO RECITE EVERY DAY BEFORE THE IMAGE OP JESUS CHRIST
Grant me grace, O merciful God, to desire ardently all that is pleasing to Thee, to examine it prudently, to acknowledge it truthfully, and to accomplish it perfectly, for the praise and glory of Thy name. Amen.
His Holiness, Pope Leo XIII, by a rescript of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, June 21, 1879, granted an indulgence of three hundred days to all the faithful who, before studying or reading, shall, with at least contrite heart and devotion, recite this prayer. — The New Raccolta.
Indulgences
FOR READING THE HOLY GOSPEL
His Holiness, Leo XIII, by a rescript of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, Dec. 13, 1898, granted to the faithful who spend at least a quarter of an hour in reading the Holy Gospel, an indulgence of three hundred day 8, once a day; also a plenary indulgence once a month, on any day of the month, to those who shall have spent a quarter of an hour a day on every day of the month in reading the Holy Gospel, on the usual conditions — confession and communion, and prayers for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff.— Ibid.
Prayer to St. Joseph for All Those Who Are Devoted to Labor
O glorious St. Joseph! model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work in a spirit of penance for the expiation of my many sins; to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my inclinations; to work with thankfulness and joy, considering it an honor to employ and develop by means of labor the gifts received from God; to work with order, peace, moderation, and patience, never shrinking from weariness and trials; to work, above all, with purity of intention, and with detachment from self, keeping unceasingly before my eyes death and the account I must give of time lost, talents unused, good omitted, and vain complacency in success, so fatal to the work of God.
All for Jesus, all through Mary, all after thy example, O patriarch Joseph; such shall be my watchword in life and in death. Amen.
300 days, once a day. — Pius X, Nov. 25. 1906.
Prayer of St. Alphonsus for Purity
Ave Maria thrice, and after each:
By thy immaculate conception, O Mary, make my body pure, and my soul holy.
Indulgence of 300 days, twice a day; morning and evening. —Pius X, Dec. 5, 1904.
Petitions
Loosen, O Lord, we pray Thee, in Thy pity, the bonds of our sins, and by the intercession, of the blessed Mary ever virgin, Mother of God, St. Joseph, the blessed apostles Peter and Paul, and all saints, keep us Thy servants and our abodes in all holiness; cleanse us, our relations, kinsfolk, and acquaintances from all vices; adorn us with all virtues; grant us peace and health; repel our enemies visible and invisible; curb Our carnal desires; give us healthful seasons; bestow Thy charity upon our friends and our enemies; guard Thy holy city; preserve our Sovereign Pontiff N.; defend all prelates, princes, and Christian people from all adversity. Let Thy blessing be ever upon us, and grant to all the faithful departed eternal rest. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Indulgences: 40 days, each time.
100 years and 100 quarantines, for saying it every Saturday for a month — Leo XII, July 9, 1828.
An Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit
O Holy Spirit, divine spirit of light and love, I consecrate to Thee my understanding, heart and will, my whole being for time and for eternity. May my understanding be always submissive to Thy heavenly inspirations, and to the teaching of the Catholic Church, of which Thou art the infallible guide; may my heart be ever inflamed with love of God and of my neighbor; may my will be ever conformed to the divine will, and may my whole life be a faithful imitation of the life and virtues of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to Whom with the Father and Thee be honor and glory for ever. Amen.
Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. — Pius X, June 5, 1908.
Prayer to the Holy Ghost
Holy Spirit, spirit of truth, come into our hearts; shed the brightness of Thy light on all nations, that they may be one in faith and pleasing to Thee.
Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. — Leo XIII, July 31, 1897.
Ejaculation in Honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament
May the Heart of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament be praised, adored, and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen.
Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. — Pius IX, Feb29, 1868.
An Indulgenced Prayer to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
FOR THE WELFARE OF THE CHURCH, THE CONVERSION OF SINNERS, AND THE LIBERATION OF THE HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY
MOST sacred Heart of Jesus, shower copiously Thy blessings on Thy holy Church, on the Supreme Pontiff, and on all the clergy; grant perseverance to the just, convert sinners, enlighten infidels, bless our parents, friends, and benefactors; assist the dying, liberate the souls in purgatory, and extend over all hearts the sweet empire of Thy love.
Indulgence of 300 days-— Pius X, June 16, 1906.
Act of Oblation to be Made before a Representation of the Sacred Heart
My loving Jesus, out of the grateful love I bear Thee, and to make reparation for my unfaithfulness to grace, I (N.N.) give Thee my heart, and I consecrate myself wholly to Thee; and with Thy help I purpose never to sin again.
Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. — Pius IX, June 18, 1876.
"Suscipe"
OFFERING AND PRAYER OF ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA
TAKE, O Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding and my whole will. Thou hast given me all that I am and all that I possess; I surrender it all to Thee that Thou mayest dispose of it according to Thy will. Give me only Thy love and Thy grace; with these I will be rich enough, and will have no more to desire.
300 days, once a day.— Leo XIII, May 26, 1883. - New Raccolta.
N.B. — The following version of the " Suscipe " is from "The Raccolta," by Fr. Ambrose St. John:
TAKE, O Lord, all my liberty. Receive my memory, understanding, and entire will. Thou hast bestowed on me whatever I have or possess: I give all back to Thee, and deliver it to Thee to be entirely subject to Thy will. Only grant me Thy love and Thy grace, and I am rich enough and ask for nothing more.
Anima Christi, Sanctifica Me
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.
Permit 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 to Thee,
That, with Thy saints,
I may praise Thee
For ever and ever. Amen.
300 days, every time.— Pius IX, Jan. 9, 1854.— New Raccolta.
OR
Soul of Christ, be my sanctification!
Body of Christ, be my salvation!
Blood of Christ, fill all my veins!
Water of Christ's side, wash out my stains!
Passion of Christ, my comfort be!
O good Jesu, listen to me!
In Thy wounds I fain would hide!
Ne'er to be parted from Thy side!
Guard me should the foe assail me.
Call me, when my life shall fail me,
Bid me come to Thee above
With Thy saints to sing Thy love,
World without end. Amen.
—Cardinal Newman's translation.
Ejaculation
FOR THE FULFILLING OF THE WILL OF GOD
May the most just, most high, and most adorable will of God be in all things done, praised, and magnified forever.
100 days, once a day.— Pope Pius VII, May 19, 1818.
Ejaculation
Blessed be God!
Indulgence: 50 days, every time, if said devoutly on hearing a blasphemy. — Pius X, Nov. 28, 1903.
My God, my only good, Thou art all mine; grant that I may be all Thine.
Indulgence: 300 days, once a day .—Leo XIII, March 13, 1902.
My God, and my all!
Indulgence: 50 days, every time.— Leo XIII, May 4, 1888.
Saint Gerard Majella's Resolutions
1.O my God, my only love, to-day and every day I give myself up to Thy good pleasure. In all temptations and trials I will say always: Thy will be done. All that Thou mayest ordain for me I will embrace with my whole heart, never ceasing to raise my eyes to heaven there to adore the divine hands which cast towards me the precious pearls of Thy most holy will.
2.AMONGST all the virtues which are dear to Thee, O my God, that which I love with a love of predilection is holy purity. My trust is in Thee, O infinite holiness, to preserve me from any thought which might sully the brightness of my soul.
3.I will say nothing either good or bad about myself.
I will attack no one in conversation, nor will I make any reference to the faults of others, even by way of a joke. I will be careful to excuse, everyone, considering in my neighbor the person of Jesus Christ Himself, Whom the Jews accused, notwithstanding His innocence. I will defend others, especially in their absence.
If I should notice anyone committing a fault, I will be careful not to correct him in the presence of others. I will speak to him on the matter between ourselves, and in a low tone of voice.
4.Never will I mix myself up with anyone else's business; I will never say that anyone has done anything badly.
5.In all my interior conflicts I will be careful not to listen to self-love. If anyone blames or accuses me, I will strive to make all bitter feelings pass gently away; then tranquillity will reign at the bottom of my soul.
6.MY supreme resolution is to give myself unreservedly to God.
For this reason I will have continually before my eyes this motto: Be thou deaf, blind, and mute. Only one thing do I desire — Thy good pleasure, O my God, and not mine own. In me, O Lord, may Thy will, not mine be done.
7.May my prayers, my communions, and all my good works be always applied for the salvation of poor sinners in union with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
8.In visiting the Blessed Sacrament I will make the following Acts:
"O Lord Jesus, I believe that Thou art present in the Blessed Sacrament, and I adore Thee with all my heart."
"I have the intention of adoring Thee by this visit wherever Thou art present in the sacred Host, and I offer Thee Thy precious blood for poor sinners; also, I desire to receive Thee spiritually as many times as there are sanctuaries on earth in which Thou dost dwell."
9.I will have all possible veneration for priests, beholding in them Jesus Christ Himself, and striving to be penetrated with the greatness of their dignity.
10.I have obliged myself always to do that which is most perfect. By this I mean that which seems to me to be the most perfect course to take in the sight of God.
— Life of St. Gerard Majella, by Rev. O. R.Vassall-Phillips, C.SS.R.
Prayers to St. Gerard Majella
ST. Gerard, true lover of Jesus in the blessed Sacrament of the Altar, do thou who didst kneel long hours before the tabernacle, and there didst taste the joys of paradise, obtain for us, we pray thee, the spirit of prayer, and an undying love for this most holy sacrament, that receiving frequently the body and blood of Jesus, we may daily grow in His holy love and merit the priceless grace of loving Him even to the end.
St. Gerard, most favored child of heaven, to whom Mary gave the infant Jesus in the days of thy childhood, and to whom she sweetly came before thou didst close thine eyes in death, obtain for us, we beseech thee, so to seek and love our blessed Mother during life, that she may be our joy and consolation in this valley of tears until, with thee, before the throne of God, we may praise her goodness for all eternity. Amen.
— Life of St. Gerard Majella.