Prayers for the Living
PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR THE CHURCH
O HOLY Spirit, Creator, propitiously help the Catholic Church, and by Thy heavenly power strengthen and confirm it against the assaults of the enemy; by Thy charity and grace renew the spirit of Thy servants whom Thou hast anointed, that in Thee they may glorify the Father and His only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Ind. of 300 days, once a day. —Leo XIII. Aug. 26, 1889.)
PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH FOR THE CHURCH
TO thee, O blessed Joseph, we have recourse in our affliction, and, having implored the help of thy thrice-holy spouse, we now with hearts filled with confidence earnestly beg thee also to take us under thy protection. By that charity wherewith thou wert united to the immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and by that fatherly love with which thou didst cherish the Child Jesus, we beseech thee and we humbly pray that thou wilt look down with gracious eye upon that inheritance which Jesus Christ purchased by His Blood, and wilt succor us in our need by thy power and strength.
Defend, O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, the chosen offspring of Jesus Christ. Keep from us, O most loving father, all blight of error and corruption. Aid us from on high, most valiant defender, in this conflict with the powers of darkness; and as thou didst once rescue the Child Jesus from great peril to His life, so now defend God’s holy Church from the snares of the enemy and all adversity. Finally, shield every one of us with thy patronage, that, imitating thy example and strengthened by thy help, we may live a holy life, die a happy death, and attain to everlasting happiness in heaven. Amen.
(Ind. of 300 days. — Leo XIII. Sept. 21, 1887.)
PRAYER FOR THE POPE
L us pray for our Pontiff, Pope, N.
R. The Lord preserve him and give him life, and make him blessed upon earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies. Our Father, Hail Mary, etc.
(Ind. of 300 days. — Pius IX. Nov. 26, 1876.)
PRAYER FOR ALL DEGREES OF MEN IN THE CHURCH
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, by Whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is sanctified and governed; mercifully hear our humble supplications for all degrees and orders therein; that, by the gift of Thy grace, all in their several stations may faithfully serve Thee. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH, THE CIVIL AUTHORITIES, ETC.
Composed by Archbishop Carroll, A.D. 1800
WE pray Thee, O almighty and eternal God, Who through Jesus Christ hast revealed Thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of Thy mercy; that Thy Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue, with unchanging faith, in the confession of Thy name.
We pray Thee, Who alone art good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life our Holy Father, Pope, N., the Vicar of our Lord Jesus Christ in the government of His Church; our own Bishop, (or Archbishop,) N. (if be is not consecrated, our Bishop-elect); all other Bishops, prelates, and pastors of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise among us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people into the ways of salvation.
We pray Thee, O God of might, wisdom, and Justice, through Whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist, with Thy Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude, the President of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people, over whom he presides, by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government; so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge, and may perpetuate to us the blessings of equal liberty.
We pray for his Excellency the Governor of this State, for the members of the Assembly, for all Judges, Magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare; that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.
We recommend likewise to Thy unbounded mercy all our brethren and fellow-citizens, throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge, and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and, after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.
Finally, we pray Thee, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of Thy servants departed who are gone before us with the sign of faith, and repose in the sleep of peace: the souls of our parents, relatives, and friends; of those who, when living, were members of this congregation; and particularly of such as are lately deceased; of all benefactors who, by their donations or legacies to this Church, witnessed their zeal for the decency of divine worship, and proved their claim to our grateful and charitable remembrance, To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and everlasting peace, through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
PRAYER FOR RELATIVES
DEFEND, we beseech Thee, O Lord, by the intercession of the blessed Mary ever Virgin, this Thy family from all adversity; and mercifully protect us, now prostrate before Thee with our whole hearts, from all the snares of our enemies. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER FOR BENEFACTORS
CONDESCEND, O Lord, to reward with a long life all those who help us for the glory of Thy name. Amen.
(Ind. of 50 days, twice a day.— Leo XIII. Dec. 17, 1892.)
PRAYER FOR OUR FRIENDS
O GOD, Who by the grace of the Holy Spirit, hast poured into the hearts of Thy faithful the gifts of charity; grant to Thy servants, for whom we implore Thy mercy, health both of body and soul; that they may love Thee with all their strength, and cheerfully perform those things which are pleasing unto Thee. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER FOR OUR ENEMIES
O GOD, the lover and preserver of peace and charity: grant unto all our enemies peace and true charity; give them remission of all their sins, and by Thy power deliver us from their snares. Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE TEMPTED AND AFFLICTED
O GOD, Who justifiest the ungodly, and willest not the death of a sinner: we humbly entreat Thy majesty to protect Thy servants, who trust in Thy mercy, with Thy heavenly assistance, and preserve them by Thy continual protection; that they may constantly serve Thee, and by no temptation be separated from Thee. Amen.
PRAYER FOR THOSE IN ANY DANGER
O GOD, the singular protector of human weakness, hear, we beseech Thee, the prayers we humbly offer for those who are in peril, that Thou mayest save them from sin, and bring them into safety. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER FOR HERETICS AND UNBELIEVERS
LORD Jesus, most merciful Saviour of the world, we humbly beseech Thee, by Thy most Sacred Heart, that all the sheep who stray out of Thy fold, as well as those who are held by the darkness of error, may be converted to Thee, the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, forever and ever. Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE CONVERSION OF UNBELIEVERS
O HOLY Spirit of truth, we beseech Thee to enlighten the minds of unbelievers in the midst of us; to incline their hearts to love Thy word, and to believe the teachings of Thy Church; give them courage to accept the faith and openly profess it; that they may come into union with Thee and the Father, through Christ our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth forever and ever. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc.
(Ind. of 40 days. — Pius IX. Nov. 14, 1847.)
PRAYER FOR SINNERS
ALMIGHTY and eternal God, Who seekest not the death but the life of sinners, Who wouldst save all and have none to perish, mercifully hear our prayers on behalf of those who are dead in sin and grant that they may repent and live again in Thy grace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
