Devotions in Honor of the Saints
THE LITANY OF THE SAINTS
LORD, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
| God, the Father of heaven, | Have mercy on us. | |
| God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, | ||
| God, the Holy Ghost, | ||
| Holy Trinity, one God, |
| Holy Mary, | Pray for us. | |
| Holy Mother of God, | ||
| Holy Virgin of virgins, | ||
| St. Michael, | ||
| St. Gabriel, | ||
| St. Raphael, | ||
| All ye holy Angels and Archangels, |
| All ye holy orders of blessed Spirits | Pray for us. | |
| St. John the Baptist, | ||
| St. Joseph, | ||
| All ye holy Patriarchs and Prophets, | ||
| St. Peter, | ||
| St. Paul, | ||
| St. Andrew, | ||
| St. James, | ||
| St. John, | ||
| St. Thomas, | ||
| St. James, | ||
| St. Philip, | ||
| St. Bartholomew, | ||
| St. Matthew, | ||
| St. Simon, | ||
| St. Thaddeus, | ||
| St. Matthias, | ||
| St. Barnabas, | ||
| St. Luke, | ||
| St. Mark, | ||
| All ye holy Apostles and Evangelists, | ||
| All ye holy Disciples of the Lord, | ||
| All ye holy Innocents, | ||
| St. Stephen, | ||
| St. Lawrence, | ||
| St. Vincent, | ||
| SS. Fabian and Sebastian, | ||
| SS. John and Paul, |
| SS. Cosmas and Damian, | Pray for us. | |
| SS. Gervase and Protase, | ||
| All ye holy Martyrs, | ||
| St. Sylvester, | ||
| St. Gregory, | ||
| St. Ambrose, | ||
| St. Augustine, | ||
| St. Jerome, | ||
| St. Martin, | ||
| St. Nicholas, | ||
| All ye holy Bishops and Confessors, | ||
| All ye holy Doctors, | ||
| St. Anthony, | ||
| St. Benedict, | ||
| St. Bernard, | ||
| St. Dominic, | ||
| St. Francis, | ||
| All ye holy Priests and Levites, | ||
| All ye holy Monks and Hermits, | ||
| St. Mary Magdalen, | ||
| St. Agatha, | ||
| St. Lucy, | ||
| St. Agnes, | ||
| St. Cecilia, | ||
| St. Catherine, | ||
| St. Anastasia, | ||
| All ye holy Virgins and Widows, |
Make intercession for us.
Be merciful,
Spare us, O Lord.
Be merciful,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
| From all evil, | O Lord, deliver us. | |
| From all sin, | ||
| From Thy wrath, | ||
| From sudden and unprovided death, | ||
| From the snares of the devil, | ||
| From anger, and hatred, and all ill-will, | ||
| From the spirit of fornication, | ||
| From the scourge of earthquake, | ||
| From plague, famine and war, | ||
| From lightning and tempest, | ||
| From everlasting death, | ||
| Through the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation, | ||
| Through Thy coming, | ||
| Through Thy birth, | ||
| Through Thy baptism and holy fasting, | ||
| Through the institution of the most Blessed Sacrament, | ||
| Through Thy cross and passion, | ||
| Through Thy death and burial, | ||
| Through Thy holy resurrection, | ||
| Through Thine admirable ascension, | ||
| Through the coming of the Holy Ghost the Paraclete, | ||
| In the day of judgment, |
| We sinners, | We beseech Thee, hear us. | |
| That Thou wouldst spare us, | ||
| That Thou wouldst pardon us, | ||
| That Thou wouldst bring us to true penance, | ||
| That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to govern and preserve Thy holy Church, | ||
| That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to preserve our Apostolic Prelate and all orders of the Church in holy religion, | ||
| That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to humble the enemies of holy Church, | ||
| That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to give peace and true concord to Christian kings and princes, | ||
| That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to grant peace and unity to the whole Christian world, | ||
| That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to bring back to the unity of the Church all those who have strayed away, and lead to the light of the Gospel all unbelievers, | ||
| That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to confirm and preserve us in Thy holy service, | ||
| That Thou wouldst lift up our minds to heavenly desires, | ||
| That Thou wouldst render eternal blessings to all our benefactors, | ||
| That Thou wouldst deliver our souls, and the souls of our brethren, relatives, and benefactors from eternal damnation, | ||
| That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to give and preserve the fruits of the earth, | ||
| That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed, |
Son of God, We beseech Thee, hear us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
- Our Father (inaudibly).
- V. And lead us not into temptation.
- R. But deliver us from evil.
(Psalm LXIX)
COME unto my help, O God: O Lord, make haste to help me.
Let them be ashamed and put to confusion that seek after my soul:
Let them be turned backward and blush for shame that wish me evil.
Let them be presently turned away blushing for shame that say to me: ’Tis well, ’tis well.
Let all those that seek Thee rejoice, and be glad in Thee: and let such as love Thy salvation say always, The Lord be magnified.
But I am poor and needy: help me, O God.
Thou art my helper and my deliverer: O Lord, make no delay.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
V. Save Thy servants.
R. O my God, who put their trust in Thee.
V. Be unto us, O Lord, a tower of strength.
R. From the face of the enemy.
V. Let not the enemy prevail against us.
R. Nor the son of iniquity draw nigh to hurt us.
V. O Lord, deal not with us after our sins.
R. Neither reward us according to our iniquities.
V. Let us pray for our Sovereign Pontiff, N.
R. The Lord preserve him and give him life, and make him blessed upon the earth; and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies.
V. Let us pray for our benefactors.
R. Vouchsafe, O Lord, to reward with eternal life all those who do us good, for Thy Name’s sake. Amen.
V. Let us pray for the faithful departed.
R. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them.
V. May they rest in peace.
R. Amen.
V. For our absent brethren.
R. Save Thy servants, O my God, who put their trust in Thee.
V. Send them help, O Lord, from Thy holy place.
R. And defend them out of Sion.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
Let us Pray
O GOD, Whose property is always to have mercy and to spare: graciously receive our supplication; that we, and all Thy servants whom the chain of sin doth bind, may, by the compassion of Thy loving kindness, be mercifully absolved.
Graciously hear; we beseech Thee, O Lord, the prayers of Thy humble servants, and forgive the sins of those who confess to Thee; that, in Thy bounty, Thou mayest grant us both pardon and peace.
Show forth upon us, O Lord, in Thy mercy, Thine unspeakable pity; that Thou mayest both loose us from all our sins, and deliver us from the punishments which we deserve for the same.
O God, Who by sin art offended, and by penance appeased: look graciously down upon the prayers of Thy people making supplication to Thee, and turn away the scourges of Thy wrath which for our sins we deserve.
Almighty, everlasting God, have mercy upon Thy servant N., our Sovereign Pontiff, and direct him, according to Thy mercy, in the way of everlasting salvation; that by Thy gift he may desire such things as please Thee, and may fulfil them with all his strength.
O God, from Whom are holy desires, right counsels, and just works: give unto Thy servant that peace which the world cannot give; that our hearts being given to the keeping of Thy commandments, and the fear of enemies being removed, our days, by Thy protection, may be peaceful.
Inflame, O Lord, our reins and our hearts with 'the fire of the Holy Ghost; that we may serve Thee with a chaste body, and please Thee with a pure mind.
O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant unto the souls of Thy servants and handmaids remission of all their sins; that through our pious supplications they may obtain the pardon which they have always desired.
Direct, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our actions by Thy inspiration, and further them with Thy continual help; that every prayer and work of ours may always begin from Thee, and through Thee be brought to an end.
Almighty, everlasting God, Who hast dominion over the living and the dead, and showest mercy unto all whom Thou foreknowest will be Thine by faith and works: we humbly beseech Thee that they for whom we have resolved to pour forth our prayers, whether this present world still detain them in the flesh, or the world to come hath already received them stripped of their bodies, may, by the grace of Thy fatherly love, and through the intercession of all the saints, obtain the remission of all their sins. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, etc.
R. Amen.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
V. May the almighty and merciful Lord graciously hear us.
R. Amen.
V. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen.
PRAYER TO ST. MICHAEL, ARCHANGEL
HOLY archangel Michael, defend us in battle, that we may not perish in the tremendous day of judgment.
(Ind. of 100 days, once a day.—Leo XIII. Aug. 19, 1893.)
PRAYER TO ST. RAPHAEL, ARCHANGEL GLORIOUS
GLORIOUS Archangel, St. Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, illustrious by thy gifts of wisdom and grace, guide of travelers by land and sea, consoler of the unfortunate and refuge of sinners, I entreat thee to help me in all my needs and in all the trials of this life, as thou didst once assist the young Tobias in his journeying. And since thou art the “‘physician of God,” I humbly pray thee to heal my soul of its many infirmities and my body of the ills that afflict it, if this favor is for my greater good. I ask, especially, for angelic purity, that I may be made fit to be the living temple of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
(Ind. of 100 days. — Leo XIII. June 21, 1890.)
PRAYER TO ST. ANNE
WITH a heart full of sincere filial veneration, I prostrate myself before thee, O blessed St. Anne. Thou art that beloved and privileged creature who, because of thy extraordinary virtue and sanctity, didst deserve of God that chief of graces of giving life to the treasury of grace, the blessed among women, the Mother of the incarnate Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Ah! in consideration of such exalted favors deign, O most tender saint, to receive me among the number of thy truly devoted servants, for such I protest myself to be and wish to remain for the rest of my life. Surround me with thy gracious patronage, and obtain for me from God the imitation of those virtues with which thou wert so profusely adorned. Obtain for me a knowledge of my sins and sorrow for them; an ardent love for Jesus and Mary; a faithful and constant observance of the duties of my state of life. Save me from all dangers in life and assist me at the hour of my death, that I may safely reach paradise, there to praise with thee, most happy mother, the Word of God, made man in the womb of thy most pure daughter, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc. (three times).
(Ind. of 300 days, once a day. — Leo XIII. March 20, 1886.)
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ONE’S PATRON SAINT
O HEAVENLY one, whose name I am privileged to bear, ever intercede for me before the throne of God that He fortify me in faith, strengthen me in virtue, and protect me in conflict, so that, victorious over the wicked enemy, I may attain to everlasting glory. Amen.
PRAYER ON A SAINT’S DAY
GRANT, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that the examples of Saint ____ may effectually move us to reform our lives; that while we celebrate his festival, we may also imitate his actions Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
LOOK upon our weakness, almighty God and since the burden of our own deeds weighs heavily upon us, may the glorious intercession of Saint ____ protect us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYERS TO ST. DOMINIC
I
MY Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst found the Church with Thy Precious Blood, and by the preaching of the Apostles didst establish propagate and extend it throughout the whole world, and thereafter didst commission the patriarch Dominic to adorn, illustrate, and defend with the splendour of his merits and doctrine; graciously hear the prayers which this apostolic man incessantly offers to Thee for the increase of her treasures, both spiritual and temporal. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc.
II
MOST merciful Redeemer, Who didst choose as Thy fellow labourer for the salvation of souls St. Dominic, who by his zeal, aided by Thy grace, gained over to the Church so many heretics who had been Jost to her, and so many sinners who had grieved her by their obstinacy; send, O my God, ever fresh labourers into Thy vineyard to work for Thy glory, and gather in the fruits of eternal life. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc.
III
OGOOD Jesus, Who didst delight to see St. Dominic prostrate every night before Thy altar, adoring Thee hidden m the most holy Sacrament with most lively faith, and offering up, now groans, now prayers, now penances on behalf of the Church, at that time persecuted by her enemies and profaned by her servants; defend this Thy Spouse through the intercession of St. Dominic from the outrages and plots of the infernal enemy of mankind. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc.
V. Pray for us, St. Dominic.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us Pray
GRANT, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we who are weighed down by the burden of our sins may be raised up by the patronage of Thy blessed confessor Dominic. ‘Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Ind. of 100 days, once a day. Plenary once a month. — Leo XIII. July 21, 1883.)
PRAYER TO ST. THOMAS AQUINAS
Patron of Schools
O ANGELIC Doctor St. Thomas, prince of theologians and model of philosophers, bright ornament of the Christian world and light of the Church; O heavenly patron of all Catholic schools, who didst learn wisdom without guile and dost communicate it without envy, intercede for us with the Son of God, Wisdom itself, that the spirit of wisdom may descend upon us, and enable us to understand clearly that which thou hast taught, and fulfil it by imitating thy deeds; to become partakers of that doctrine and virtue which caused thee to shine like the sun on earth; and at last to rejoice with thee forever in their most sweet fruits in heaven, together praising the Divine Wisdom for all eternity. Amen.
(Ind. of 200 days, once a day.— Leo XIII. July 3, 1885.)
DEVOUT EXERCISE OF THE SIX SUNDAYS IN HONOR OF ST. ALOYSIUS GONZAGA
(A plenary indulgence on each of the six Sundays which are wont to be kept in honor of this saint, either immediately before his feast, on June 21, or at any other time of the year. In order to gain this plenary indulgence it is requisite to keep the six Sundays consecutively; and on each of them, after confession and communion, to employ one’s self in pious meditations or vocal prayers, or other works of Christian piety, in honor of the saint. — CLEMENT XII. Dec. 11, 1739; Jan. 7, 1740.)
PRAYER TO ST. ALOYSIUS
O BLESSED Aloysius, adorned with angelic graces, I, thy most unworthy suppliant, recommend specially to thee the chastity of my soul and body, praying thee by thy angelic purity to plead for me with Jesus Christ, the immaculate Lamb, and His most holy Mother, Virgin of virgins, that they would vouchsafe to keep me from all grievous sin. O never let me be defiled with any stain of impurity; but when thou dost see me in temptation, or in danger of falling, then remove far from my heart all bad thoughts and unclean desires, and awaken in me the memory of eternity to come and of Jesus crucified; impress deeply in my heart a sense of the holy fear of God; and thus, kindling in me the fire of divine love, enable me so to follow thy footsteps here on earth that, in heaven with thee, I may be made worthy to enjoy the vision of our God forever. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, etc.
(Ind. of 100 days, once a day. —Pius VII. March 6, 1802.)
THE THIRTEEN TUESDAYS, OR THIRTEEN SUNDAYS, IN HONOR OF ST. ANTHONY
(His Holiness, Leo XIII, by a brief of March 1, 1898, granted to the faithful, who, on thirteen successive Tuesdays or as many successive Sundays, once only, at any time during the year, shall spend some time in pious meditation, or vocal prayers, or any other works of piety, to the glory of God and in honor of St. Anthony of Padua, on the usual conditions of confession and communion, a plenary indulgence on each of the said Tuesdays or Sundays.)
REQUEST TO ST. ANTHONY
O WONDERFUL St. Anthony, glorious on account of the fame of thy miracles, and through the condescension of Jesus in coming in the form of a little child to repose in thy arms; obtain for me of His bounty the grace which I ardently desire from the depths of my heart. Thou who wast so compassionate toward miserable sinners, regard not the unworthiness of those who pray to thee, but the glory of God, that it may be once again magnified by thee, to the salvation of my soul, in connection with the particular request which I now ask for with persevering earnestness. May this small offering of pence, which I make to thee in aid of the poor, be a pledge of my gratitude, and with them may it one day be granted to me, through the grace of Jesus Christ and thy intercession, to possess the kingdom of heaven. Amen.
(Ind. of 300 days, once a day. — Leo XIII. May 6, 1899.)
DEVOTIONS TO ST. RITA OF CASCIA
ANT. Come, O spouse of Christ, receive the crown which the Lord hath prepared for thee forever. Thou hast loved justice and hated iniquity; therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy companions.
V. Pray for us, blessed Rita.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us Pray
O GOD, Who didst vouchsafe to confer on holy Rita so great a grace that she was able to love her enemies and to bear, both in her heart and on her brow, the signs of Thy love and of Thy sufferings, grant, we beseech Thee, that by her merits and prayers we may so forgive our enemies and contemplate Thy sorrowful Passion, as to obtain the rewards promised to the meek and to them that mourn. Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.
INDULGENCED PRAYER TO ST. RITA
O GLORIOUS St. Rita! Thou who didst so wonderfully participate in the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, obtain for me the grace to suffer with patience the pains of this life, and protect me in all my needs,
(Ind. of 300 days, once a day. — Pius X. July 30, 1906.)
ASPIRATIONS TO ST. RITA
GLORIOUS St. Rita, please obtain for me the grace faithfully to fulfil the duties of my state in life.
Glorious St. Rita, please obtain for me the grace to be satisfied with the Jot in life to which God has called me.
Glorious St. Rita, please obtain for me thy spirit of patience and strength in adversity.
Glorious St. Rita, obtain for me entire detachment from the things of this world and fix all my affections and desires on heavenly treasures.
Glorious St. Rita, please obtain for me health of soul and body.
Glorious St. Rita, advocate of the impossible and patroness of desperate cases, please obtain the favors I ask through thee.
PRAYER TO SOEUR THERESE
The Little Flower of Jesus
THOU servant of God, Saint Thérése of the Child Jesus, who in thy dying moments didst say: “I will spend my heaven in doing good upon earth,’’ hasten to let fall upon me a Shower of Roses that I too may be inflamed with that fire of love which burned so brilliantly in thy breast and which brought thee so gloriously to the arms of Jesus, my Lord and my God. Amen.
PRAYER TO ST. VINCENT FERRER
O GLORIOUS Apostle and worker of miracles, St. Vincent Ferrer, a new angel of the Apocalypse and our kind protector, receive our humble prayers and obtain for us a copious shower of divine favours. By that love with which thy heart was inflamed, obtain for us from the Father of mercies the pardon of all our sins, confirmation in the faith, and perseverance in good works; so that living as good and fervent Christians we may become worthy of thy powerful patronage. Extend thy patronage also to our bodies, and free us from our infirmities. Protect our lands from the violence of tempest and hail, and keep misfortune far from us. Thus, blessed by thee in the goods of soul and body, we shall be ever devout to thee, and one day see thee in heaven, there with thee to praise God forever and ever. Amen.
(Ind. of 200 days, once a day.—Leo XIII. Sept. 17, 1887.)
