Devout Prayers.
A Universal Prayer for All Things Necessary to Salvation.
O MY God, I believe in Thee; do Thou strengthen my faith. All my hopes are in Thee; do Thou secure them. I love Thee with my whole heart; teach me to love Thee daily more and more. I am sorry that I have offended Thee; do Thou increase my sorrow.
I adore Thee as my first beginning. I aspire after Thee as my last end. I give Thee thanks as my constant benefactor. I call upon Thee as my sovereign protector.
Vouchsafe, O my God, to conduct me by Thy wisdom, to restrain me by Thy justice, to comfort me by Thy mercy, to defend me by Thy power.
To Thee I desire to consecrate all my thoughts, words, actions, and sufferings; that henceforward I may think of Thee, speak of Thee, willingly refer all my actions to Thy greater glory, and suffer willingly whatever Thou shalt appoint.
Lord, I desire that in all things Thy will may be done, because it is Thy will, and in the manner Thou wiliest.
I beg of Thee to enlighten my understanding, to inflame my will, to purify my body, and to sanctify my soul.
Give me strength, O my God, to expiate my offences, to overcome my temptations, to subdue my passions, and to acquire the virtues proper for my state.
Fill my heart with a tender affection for Thy goodness, a hatred for my faults, a love for my neighbor, and contempt for the world.
Let me always remember to be submissive to my superiors, condescending to my inferiors, faithful to my friends, and charitable to my enemies.
Assist me to overcome sensuality by mortification, avarice by almsdeeds, anger by meekness, and tepidity by devotion.
O my God, make me prudent in my undertakings, courageous in dangers, patient in afflictions, and humble in prosperity.
Grant that I may ever be attentive at my prayers, temperate at my meals, diligent in my employments, and constant in my resolutions.
Let my conscience be ever upright and pure, my exterior modest, my conversation edifying, and my comportment regular.
Assist me, that I may continually labor to overcome nature, to correspond with Thy grace, to keep Thy commandments, and to work out my salvation.
Discover to me, O my God, the nothingness of this world, the greatness of heaven, the shortness of time, and the length of eternity.
Grant that I may prepare for death; that I may fear Thy judgments; that I may escape hell, and, in the end, obtain heaven, through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
PRAYERS FOR THE CHURCH, FOR THE RULING POWERS, ETC.
WE pray Thee, O Almighty and Eternal God ! who through Jesus Christ has 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 chief bishop N. N., the vicar of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the government of his Church; our own bishop, N. N., (or if he is not consecrated, our bishop elect); all other bishops, prelates, and pastors of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise amongst 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 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 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, relations 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.
For the Sovereign Pontiff.
O GOD, the Pastor and Governor of all the faithful, mercifully regard Thy servant N., whom Thou hast placed as chief pastor over Thy Church; grant, we beseech Thee, that both by word and example he may edify all those who are under his charge; that, together with the flock committed to his care, he may arrive at life everlasting: through our Lord, etc.
Prayer for the Souls in Purgatory.
O GOD, whose goodness and mercy are unbounded, listen to the prayers we offer Thee in behalf of our suffering brethren, in purgatory. O bountiful Jesus, who upon the cross didst shed the last drop of Thy blood for the redemption of mankind, look with compassion upon the sufferings of these dear souls. Let some drops of that precious blood flow upon them, and purify their least stains, and extinguish the devouring flames in which they are plunged. Deliver them, O merciful Jesus, from that place of darkness and tortures, and receive them immediately into Thy paternal bosom, there to behold, and praise, and love Thee for all eternity.
A Prayer for the Afflicted.
O ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, the Comforter of the sorrowful, and the support of those who are afflicted, give ear to the prayers of such as call on Thee in their tribulation; that, finding Thy mercy present with them in their necessities, their mourning may be turned into joy: through, etc.
Against Temptations.
O GOD, who justifieth the wicked that repent, and desirest not the death of a sinner, we humbly beseech Thy majesty to defend Thy servants with Thy heavenly grace, who trust in Thy mercy, and preserve them by Thy continual protection; that they may persevere in Thy service, and by no temptations be ever separated from Thee: through, etc.
A Prayer for the Sick.
O ALMIGHTY and eternal God, the perpetual salvation of them that believe, hear us for Thy sick servants, for whom we humbly crave the help of Thy mercy; that their health being restored to them, they may render thanks to Thee in Thy Church: through, etc.
A Prayer for the Living.
EXTEND unto Thy faithful, O Lord, the right hand of Thy heavenly succor, that they may seek Thee with all their hearts, and obtain of Thy mercy whatever is necessary to their condition: through, etc.
Prayers to Beg the Grace of the Holy Ghost.
O GOD, who, by the light of the Holy Ghost, hast instructed the hearts of the faithful; grant that by the same Spirit, we may have a right understanding in all things, and evermore rejoice in his holy consolation: through, etc.
O GOD, to whom every heart is open, every will declares itself, and from whom no secret lies concealed, purify, by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, the thoughts of our hearts; that we may perfectly love Thee, and worthily serve Thee: through, etc.
Against Wicked Thoughts.
O ALMIGHTY and most gracious God, mercifully regard our prayers, and deliver our hearts from the temptations of evil thoughts; that our souls may be made worthy habitations for the Holy Ghost: through, etc.
For Charity.
O GOD, who makest all things beneficial to them that love Thee, infuse into our hearts an inviolable love of Thy charity; that such desires as we conceive by Thy holy inspiration may by no temptation be ever changed: through, etc.
For Patience.
O GOD, who, by the humility of Thy only begotten Son, hast confounded the pride of the old enemy; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may often call to mind what He meekly sacrificed for us, and by His example patiently endure all adversities: through, etc.
For the Holy Catholic Church.
DEFEND, O Lord, Thy servants, we humbly beseech Thee, from all dangers of body and soul: and by the prayers of the glorious Virgin Mary, of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, of blessed N., and all Thy saints, grant us the mercies of peace and safety, that, all adversities and errors being removed, Thy Church may serve Thee in secure liberty: through, etc.
Prayer, "En Ego," etc, before a Crucifix.
LOOK down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, while before Thy face I humbly kneel, and with burning soul pray and beseech Thee to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope and charity, true contrition for my sins, and firm purpose of amendment; the while I contemplate with great love and tender pity Thy five Wounds, pondering over them within me, whilst I call to mind the words which David Thy prophet said of Thee, my Jesus: "They pierced my hands and my feet; they numbered all my bones."
Memorare; or, Prayer of St. Bernard to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
REMEMBER, O most pious Virgin Mary, that no one ever had recourse to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy mediation, without obtaining relief. Confiding, then, in thy goodness and mercy, I cast myself at thy sacred feet, and do most humbly supplicate thee, O Mother of the eternal Word, to adopt me as thy child, and take upon thyself the care of my salvation. O let it not be said, my dearest Mother, that I have perished where no one ever found but grace and salvation. Amen.
The Memorare; or, Prayer to St. Joseph.
MOST glorious St. Joseph, Virgin Spouse of the Immaculate Mother of God, my loving Patron, remember that it has never been known that any one invoked thy help or solicited thy patronage without obtaining relief. Encouraged by this assurance, I commend my soul and body, my temporal and eternal interests, to thy powerful protection. Oh! thou, the adopted Father of the Eternal Son, despise not this appeal, but listen to my prayer and plead for my necessities. Amen.
A Prayer to St. Aloysius Gonzaga, to Obtain the Virtue of Holy Parity.
O AMIABLE Saint, whose life was more angelical than human! I, thy most unworthy servant, come to confide, in a special manner, to thy pure hands, and to thy watchful solicitude, the purity of my soul and body. Angel of purity, I earnestly beseech thee to intercede for me with Jesus Christ, the immaculate Lamb, and with His holy Mother, the Virgin of virgins, that I may be preserved from every grievous sin, and from the least stain of impurity.
When thou seest me tempted, and in danger of sinning against that virtue which was so dear to thee, remove far from my mind and heart every unchaste thought and desire; bring to my mind the thought of eternity, and of Jesus crucified; fill my heart with the fear of God; kindle within it the fire of divine love, and obtain, that, after having imitated thy virtues here below, I may enjoy with thee, in heaven, the happiness to possess God, and to possess Him forever.
Our Father, Hail Mary, etc.
A Prayer to be said daily by those who Carry about them an Agnus Dei.
O MY Lord Jesus Christ, the true Lamb, that takest away the sins of the world! by Thy mercy, which is infinite, pardon my iniquities; and by Thy sacred passion preserve me this day from all sin and evil. I carry about me this holy Agnus Dei in Thy honor as a preservative against my own weakness, and as an incentive to the practice of meekness, humility and innocence, which Thou hast taught. I offer myself up to Thee as an entire oblation, and in memory of that sacrifice of love which Thou offeredst for me on the cross, and in satisfaction for my sins. Accept, O my God, the oblation I make, and may it be agreeable to Thee in the odor of sweetness. Amen.