September 4^th

USA Labour Day 2023

Prayer for Labor Day

As the sun rises to bring in the new day: We remember those who descend into the earth, their work begins in darkness, pulling from the earth, the resources we steward. We remember those who work inside a building away from the light and brightness of the day. We remember those who work outside in the harsh elements of our world, the bitter cold and sweltering heat of extremes. We remember those who do not have a job to go to, who are struggling to meet the needs of their daily living expenses, for whom the day becomes long and arduous. As the sun sets to bring in the evening of rest: We remember those who work in the night. We remember those who are trying to recover from their labor and toils of the day. We remember those who participate in unsafe and dangerous work. We pray for a renewed sense of dignity in their lives and in their work. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the worker. Make a place in our hearts for compassion to the men and women who labor tirelessly for basic necessities. Ensure a place for the men and women who are struggling to find work. Grant us your wisdom to greet and care for those who are unable to work due to illness or circumstances that prevent their participation. Be with the children who are not able to run and play, but instead must put in a hard day’s work to help their family afford to eat, to live. Be with us all, Christ Jesus, as we go about the busyness of our work. Hold us accountable not only for our actions, but most importantly to each of our neighbors. May we continue to work together to bring about your reign! We ask this in your holy name, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

A Labor Day Prayer

Lord, I first want to say thank you for this day of rest. Help me to turn off distractions and find true sabbath through my relationship with you. Show me how to live a life that is focused on your purpose in my work and in my rest. Work is not always easy but I know you gave it to us to honor you. God, help me to see work as your creation designed to give me purpose, fulfillment, and to be a light in the world. May my work matter not just to my business and company but to your Kingdom. Renew my strength in my workplace and help me to remember that I am to work with all my heart as for you! Amen.

Prayer for Labor Day

Lord on this Labor Day, we thank You for the blessing of work. We ask for strength to complete each day. We ask for rest when we are weary. We ask Your guidance for everyone seeking employment, and we ask that You be with those whose faces we might never see but who work tirelessly each day for the good of us all. Amen.

A prayer for Labor Day

Almighty God, Creator of the world, we give you thanks for the gift of stewardship and work. Deliver us, in our various occupations, from the service of self alone, that we may do our work in truth and beauty and for the common. God of justice, we pray for all workers, that they would receive fair compensation and treatment in their labor. For those who seek work, provide jobs — both citizen and immigrant alike. For those who cannot work, provide sustenance. Make those who lead the industries and commerce of this country responsive to your perfect will. Build up in the leaders of our country a respect for all labors. Deliver us, Lord Jesus, from the maligning evils of greed, sloth, and gluttony that we may lead lives of holiness in service to you and our neighbor. We ask all these things for our good and your glory. Amen.

Prayer for Workers to Get Fair Compensation

Dear Lord, You are the Creator of this universe, and we thank you for offering us the precious gift of work and stewardship. Bless us so that we can do our work with utmost sincerity and love. God, you are the epitome of justice, and we pray today that all workers get fair remuneration for their labor. Employ all who seek work – immigrants and citizens both. Please offer sustenance to all those who are unable to work now, and make global leaders show reverence towards all laborers. Bless us so that we can lead pure lives and be of service to our neighbors who need our help. We pray for your glory and our good. Amen.

Prayer for Merciful Blessing to Workers

Almighty Lord, We thank you for all the workers’ faithful service. Please take care of those workers who have to work forcefully, without dignity or freedom, or rest. Please bless all those laborers who cannot work due to their physical or mental disabilities. There are so many workers whom society discriminates against because of their creed or color, and they do not get meaningful work. All those workers who suffer hardship and risk life need your merciful blessings. This is particularly true for workers suffering because of floods, pandemics, disasters, and fires. Amen.

Prayer to Unite All Working People

Dear King of Kings, You are aware of how the powerful and the affluent have always subjugated the meek and the lowly. However, it is time for such oppressions to end. Lord, let all working women and men on the planet unite with your kind guidance. Please open our hearts and assist us to remove the hatred that exists within ourselves. God, support us to liberate ourselves first from infighting and prejudice. Only you can help all of us to come together. Please open our minds and help us to rise above petty differences and controversies. Help us to grow, learn, cooperate and support us to create a new world, which is full of goodness. Amen.

Prayer for Justice and Protection of Workers

Dear Lord, We pray for your protection for all those workers who work day in and day out. We also pray to you to protect workers whose pay is not fair and who are poor and suffering. Protect all those who are enslaved, endangered, coerced, abused, or exploited. May your justice prevail on all such workers and make them find happiness in their work. We also pray that all these workers become aware of your blessing. We promise to take care of each other in return. We also pledge to help the poor and sufferers and will welcome strangers into our country. Amen.

September 8^th

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Prayer

September 9^th

Saint Peter Claver

Prayer to Saint Peter Claver

O God, who made Saint Peter Claver a slave of slaves and strengthened him with wonderful charity and patience as he came to their help, grant, through his intercession, that, seeking the things of Jesus Christ, we may love our neighbor in deeds and in truth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

St. Peter Claver Novena

Lord, for love of you St. Peter Claver became the faithful servant of slaves. Through his prayer help us to see the true dignity of the human family, all children of one father and to spend ourselves for their salvation. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen. St. Peter Claver, pray for us. Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…

Prayer

Dear saint of our modern times, you were permeated with compassion for the oppressed, for human beings sold as slaves. While alleviating their natural ills, you also took away their spiritual ills, and taught them the surpassing knowledge of Christ. Inspire many of our contemporaries to become self-sacrificing missionaries like you. Amen.

The Claver Prayer

God, our Heavenly Father, You have given us life through the Death and Resurrection of Your Beloved Son, Jesus Christ; Jesus, our Saving Lord, You came into a world darkened by man’s sin and gave it light through your teachings; Holy Spirit, the Breath of God within us, You guide and enlighten us and give us the strength of our convictions; Saint Peter Claver, who became an example for us, you showed us the Love of God, the light of Christ, and the strength of the Holy Spirit; We pray now that all we say and do in your honor, be a continuation of your work here on earth.

Prayer

O God, Who calling to the knowledge of Thy Name the Negro tribes sold into slavery, didst, in order that he might be a help to them, imbue blessed Peter with marvelous patience and charity: giving ear to his prayers, vouchsafe unto us to seek only the things which are of Jesus Christ, and thereby to love our neighbor in deed and in truth. Through the same Christ our Lord, Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.

Saint John Chrysostom

Prayer of St. John Chrysostom before reading the Bible

O Lord Jesus Christ, open the eyes of my heart that I may hear your Word,and understand and do your will, for I am a sojourner upon the Earth.Hide not your commandments from me, but open my eyes, that I may perceive the wonders of your Law.Speak unto me the hidden and secret things of your wisdom.On you do I set my hope, O my God, that you shall enlighten my mind and understanding with the light of your knowledge; not only to cherish those things which are written, but to do them;For you are the enlightenment of those who lie in darkness, and from you comes every good deed and every gift.

Amen.

Prayer of Saint John Chrysostom

Almighty God, who has given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications to you and promised that when two or three are gathered together in your name you will grant their requests: fulfill now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of your servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the world to come life everlasting.

Amen.

Hourly Prayers of Saint John Chrysostom

1:00. O Lord, deprive me not of Thy heavenly blessings;

2:00. O Lord, deliver me from eternal torment;

3:00. O Lord, if I have sinned in my mind or thought, in word deed, forgive me.

4:00. O Lord, deliver me from every ignorance and heedlessness, from pettiness of the soul and stony hardness of heart;

5:00. O Lord, deliver me from every temptation;

6:00. O Lord, enlighten my heart darkened by evil desires;

7:00. O Lord, I, being a human being, have sinned; do Thou, being God, forgive me in Thy lovingkindness, for Thou knowest the weakness of my soul.

8:00. O Lord, send down Thy grace to help me, that I may glorify Thy holy Name;

9:00. O Lord Jesus Christ, inscribe me, Thy servant, in the Book of Life, and grant me a blessed end;

10:00. O Lord my God, even if I have done nothing good in Thy sight, yet grant me, according to Thy grace, that I may make a start in doing good.

11:00. O Lord, sprinkle on my heart the dew of Thy grace;

12:00. O Lord of heaven and earth, remember me, Thy sinful servant, cold of heart and impure, in Thy Kingdom.

1:00 (13:00). O Lord, receive me in repentance;

2:00 (14:00). O Lord, leave me not;

3:00 (15:00). O Lord, save me from temptation;

4:00 (16:00). O Lord, grant me pure thoughts;

5:00 (17:00). O Lord, grant me tears of repentance, remembrance of death, and the sense of peace;

6:00 (18:00). O Lord, grant me mindfulness to confess my sins;

7:00 (19:00). O Lord, grant me humility, charity, and obedience;

8:00 (20:00). O Lord, grant me tolerance, magnanimity, and gentleness;

9:00 (21:00). O Lord, implant in me the root of all blessings: the fear of Thee in my heart;

10:00 (22:00). O Lord, vouchsafe that I may love Thee with all my heart and soul, and that I may obey in all things Thy will;

11:00 (23:00). O Lord, shield me from evil persons and devils and passions and all other lawless matters;

12:00 (24:00). O Lord, Who knowest Thy creation and that which Thou hast willed for it; may Thy will also be fulfilled in me, a sinner, for Thou art blessed forevermore.

Amen.

September 14^th

Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Prayer To The Holy Cross

Oh, Adorable Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, You have suffered death on the Cross for our sins.
Oh, Holy Cross of Jesus, be my true light!
Oh, Holy Cross, fill my soul with good thoughts.
Oh, Holy Cross, ward off from me all things that are evil.
Oh, Holy Cross, ward off from me all dangers and deaths and give me life everlasting!
Oh, Crucified Jesus of Nazareth, have mercy on me now and forever.
In honor of the Precious Blood of Jesus, his death, resurrection and ascension which leads to everlasting life; true as Jesus was born on Christmas Day; true as Jesus was crucified on Good Friday; true as Joseph and Nicodemus took Jesus down from the cross and buried Him; true as Jesus ascended into Heaven; may He preserve me from my enemies visible and invisible forever.
Oh, Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me! Mary and Joseph pray for me.
Lord Jesus Christ, through Your suffering the Cross grant me strength to bear my Cross without fear or dread and give me the grace that I may follow You.
Amen.

Prayer On The Feast Of The Exaltation Of The Holy Cross

O God, who willed that Your Only Begotten Son
should undergo the Cross to save the human race,
grant, we pray,
that we, who have known his mystery on earth,
may merit the grace of his redemption in heaven.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

Prayer

God of Glory, The Cross shines as a sign Of obedience to your will And a symbol of your love For the world. Bless us who find salvation In the cross of Christ; May we always recognise his glory In the weak, suffering and condemned of the world. We ask this through Christ, crucified and exalted, who is Lord forever and ever.

Amen.

Prayer Before The Cross

Jesus, by this saving sign,
bless this listless soul of mine.
Jesus, by Thy feet nailed fast,
mend the missteps of my past.
Jesus, with Thy riven hands,
bend my will to love’s demands.
Jesus, in Thy Heart laid bare,
warm my inner coldness there.
Jesus, by Thy thorn-crowned head,
still my pride till it is dead.
Jesus, by Thy muted tongue,
stay my words that hurt someone.
Jesus, by Thy tired eyes,
open mine to faith’s surprise.
Jesus, by Thy fading breath,
keep me faithful until death.
Yes, Lord, by this saving sign,
save this wayward soul of mine.

Prayer To Jesus Crucified

Lord Jesus Christ,
I Thank Thee For Loving Me So Completely.
Thou Didst Embrace The Cross So Willingly,
Thou Didst Hang There So Patiently,
Thou Didst Suffere So Painfully,
And For Me, A Sinner,
Thou Didst Die And Rise Again On The Third Day.
Now, Lord, I Commend Myself To Thy Love,
To The Power Of Thy Passion,
To The Depths Of Thy Endless Mercy.
Jesus Christ,
In Thy Measureless Pity,
Keep Alive In Me The Memory
Of Thy Holy Wounds And Bitter Death.
Gentle Jesus,
Defend Me In All Danger,
And Keep Me So That
I May Stand Before Thee In Joy.
Protect My Soul, Lord Jesus Christ,
Which Thou Hast Bought With Thy Precious Blood. Amen.
O Cross Of Christ, Immortal Tree
O Cross Of Christ, Immortal Tree On Which Our Savior Died,
The World Is Sheltered By Your Arms That Bore The Crucified.
From Bitter Death And Barren Wood The Tree Of Life Is Made;
Its Branches Bear Unfailing Fruit And Leaves That Never Fade.
Give Glory To The Risen Christ And To His Cross Give Praise,
The Sign Of God’s Unfailing Love, The Hope Of All Our Days.

September 15^th

Our Lady of Sorrows

Prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows

O most holy Virgin, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ: by the overwhelming grief you experienced when you witnessed the martyrdom, the crucifixion, and death of your divine Son, look upon me with eyes of compassion, and awaken in my heart a tender commiseration for those sufferings, as well as a sincere detestation of my sins, in order that being disengaged from all undue affection for the passing joys of this earth, I may sigh after the eternal Jerusalem, and that henceforward all my thoughts and all my actions may be directed towards this one most desirable object. Honor, glory, and love to our divine Lord Jesus, and to the holy and immaculate Mother of God.

Amen.

Prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows

Our mother of sorrows, with strength from above you stood by the cross, sharing in the sufferings of Jesus, and with tender care you bore him in your arms, mourning and weeping.
We praise you for your faith, which accepted the life God planned for you. We praise you for your hope, which trusted that God would do great things in you. We praise you for your love in bearing with Jesus the sorrows of his passion.
Holy Mary, may we follow your example, and stand by all your children who need comfort and love.
Mother of God, stand by us in our trials and care for us in our many needs. Pray for us now and at the hour of our death.
Amen!

Prayer to our Sorrowful Mother for a particular grace

O, mother most holy and sorrowful, Queen of Martyrs, you who stood by your Son as He agonized on the cross; by the sufferings of your life, by that sword of pain that pierced your heart, by your perfect joy in heaven, look down on me kindly as I kneel before you, sympathizing with your sorrows and offering you my petition with childlike trust.
Dear Mother, since your Son refuses you nothing, ask of His Sacred Heart to mercifully grant what I ask, through the merits of His sacred passion, along with those of your sufferings at the foot of the cross.
Mother most merciful, to whom shall I go in my misery if not to you who pities us poor sinful exiles in this valley of tears In our name, offer Jesus but one drop of His most precious blood, but one pang of His loving heart. Remind Him that you are our sweetness, our life and our hope, and your prayer will be heard.
Amen

Prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows

O holy Mother, most afflicted by the bitter sorrow which you endured at the foot of the cross during the three hours’ agony of Jesus: we implore you, the children of your sorrows, in our last agony, that through your intercession we may pass from the bed of death to form a crown for you in heaven.

Pray 3 Our Fathers

Pray 3 Hail Marys.

O Mary, Mother of grace, Mother of mercy, protect us from the enemy and receive us at the hour of death.
From sudden or unprovided death,
O Lord, deliver us.
From the snares of the devil,
O Lord, deliver us.
From everlasting death,
O Lord, deliver us.
Let us pray. O God, who for the salvation of mankind gave an example and a help in the Passion and Death of your Son: grant, we beseech you, that in the hour of our death, we may experience the effects of this, your charity, and deserve to be partakers in the glory of Him, our Redeemer, through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,
I give you my heart and my soul.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,
Assist me in my last agony.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,
May I breathe forth my soul in peace with you.
Amen.

Prayers to Our Lady of Sorrows

O most holy and afflicted Virgin! Queen of Martyrs! thou who didst stand motionless beneath the Cross, witnessing the agony of thy expiring Son–through the unceasing sufferings of thy life of sorrow, and the bliss which now more than amply repays thee for thy past trials, look down with a mother’s tenderness and pity on me, who kneel before thee to venerate thy Dolors,  and place my requests, with filial confidence, in the sanctuary of thy wounded heart; present them, I beseech thee, on my behalf, to Jesus Christ, through the merits of His own most sacred death and passion, together with thy sufferings at the foot of the cross, and through the united efficacy of both obtain the grant of my present petition. To whom shall I resort in my wants and miseries if not to thee, O Mother of Mercy, who, having so deeply drunk of the chalice of thy Son, canst compassionate the woes of those who still sigh in the land of exile? Offer for me to my Savior one drop of the Blood which flowed from His sacred veins, one of the tears which trickled from His divine eyes, one of the sighs which rent His adorable Heart. O refuge of the universe and hope of the whole world, do not reject my humble prayer, but graciously obtain the grant of my petition.

September 16^th

Saint Cyprian, Bishop (Martyrs)

Saint Cyprian Prayer To Make Money

“Lord God, the merciful, omnipotent, and just Father, who sent your son our Lord Jesus Christ to the world for our salvation, answer our prayer, deigning yourselves to order the evil spirit or spirits that torment your servant (say now the name of the person itself), that get away from here, get out of your body.
You gave St. Peter the keys of heaven and earth, saying to him, ‘what you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, what you loose on earth will be turned off in heaven.’ (The officiant with the key in his right hand makes a sign on the person’s chest – or on his own – as if closing a door).
In your name, prince of the apostles, blessed St. Peter, the body of (now say the name of the person itself). St. Peter closes the door of this soul so that the spirits of darkness do not enter, ever!
The infernal powers will not prevail over God’s law, for St. Peter is closing that door. From now on, the devil can no longer penetrate this body, the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.”

After praying St. Cyprian’s prayer to close the body, pray a Creed, and Our Father, and a Hail Mary.

Saint Cyprian’s Prayer Against Brokenness And Evil Eye

“God, heed my request, come to my rescue. Come help me. Confused, let those who seek my soul be ashamed (make the sign of the Cross).
Go back and let those who wish me evil be ashamed. They soon return full of confusion who say to me: Well, well (make the sign of the Cross).
Rejoice and rejoice in you who seek you, and those who love your salvation, say, May the Lord be great (make the sign of the cross).
You are my favourer and my deliverer, Lord God, do not delay.
Glory be to the Father, the Son and the Divine Holy Spirit.

Amen!”

Prayer

God our Father, in Saints Cornelius and Cyprian you have given your people an inspiring example of dedication to the pastoral ministry and constant witness to Christ in their suffering. May their prayers and faith give us courage to work for the unity of your Church. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Collect

O God, who gave Saints Cornelius and Cyprian to your people
as diligent shepherds and valiant Martyrs,
grant that through their intercession
we may be strengthened in faith and constancy
and spend ourselves without reserve
for the unity of the Church.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

September 17^th

Saint Robert Bellarmine

Prayer to Saint Robert Bellarmine

V. The Lord loved him, and adorned him, alleluia.
R. He clothed him with a robe of glory, alleluia.
O Doctor right excellent, O light of Holy Church, O blessed Robert, lover of the divine law, entreat for us the Son of God. Alleluia.

Let us pray

O O God, who didst adorn blessed Robert, thy Bishop and Doctor, with marvelous learning and virtue to expose the deceptions of error and to defend the rights of the Apostolic See, grant by his merits and intercession, that love for the truth may increase in us, and the souls that do wander may return to the unity of thy Church. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Ant: O ye holy and righteous, rejoice in the Lord, alleluia; for blessed are the folk that God hath chosen to him to be his inheritance, alleluia.
V. Right dear in the sight of the Lord, alleluia.
R. Is the death of his Saints, alleluia.

Let us pray

Grant, O Lord, that this holy festival of thy blessed Martyrs, Nereus, Achilleus, Domitilla and Pancras, may ever assist us in thy service : and that we may thereby be rendered worthy to walk after thy commandments.

Prayer for the Intercession of St. Robert Bellarmine, SJ

Lord, You blessed St. Robert Bellarmine with great wisdom and learning. May we, like him, use well the double gifts of faith and reason. May we grow in understanding our faith, diligence in living it, compassion in our service toward those in need, and in all things, grow toward ever-greater love of You. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Novena To Saint Robert Bellarmine

God our Father,
You gave Robert Bellarmine wisdom and goodness
to defend the faith of Your Church.
By his prayers
may we always rejoice in the profession of our faith.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
[Mention your intention(s) here…]
O God, who did adorn Saint Robert, Your Bishop and Doctor,
with marvelous learning and virtue
to expose the deceptions of error
and to defend the rights of the Apostolic See,
grant by his merits and intercession,
that love for the truth may increase in us,
and the souls that do wander
may return to the unity of thy Church.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

V. The Lord loved him, and adorned him, alleluia.
R. He clothed him with a robe of glory, alleluia.

O Doctor right excellent,
O light of Holy Church, O blessed Robert,
lover of the divine law,
entreat for us the Son of God. Alleluia.

September 18^th

Saint Joseph of Cupertino

Prayer To St. Joseph Of Cupertino For Success In Examinations

First Prayer

O Great St. Joseph of Cupertino who while on earth did obtain from God the grace to be asked at your examination only the questions you knew. obtain for me a like favor in the examinations for which I am now preparing.
In return I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Prayer to St. Michael to Protect the Church and her Members

O Glorious St. Michael, guardian and defender of the Church of Jesus Christ, come to the assistance of this Church, against which the powers of hell are unchained, guard with especial care her august head, and obtain that for him and for us the hour of triumph may speedily arrive. O glorious Archangel St. Michael, watch over us during life, defend us against the assaults of the demon, assist us especially at the hour of death; obtain for us a favorable judgment, and the happiness of beholding God face to face for endless ages. Amen.

Second Prayer

O St. Joseph of Cupertino who by your prayer obtained from God to be asked at your examination, the only preposition you knew. Grant that I may like you succeed in the (here mention the name of Examination eg. History paper I ) examination. In return I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked.
O St. Joseph of Cupertino pray for me
O Holy Ghost enlighten me
Our Lady of Good Studies pray for me
Sacred Head of Jesus, Seat of divine wisdom, enlighten me.

St. Joseph of Cupertino Novena

O holy Joseph of Cupertino, who loves to bestow your favors upon all in need of your assistance, I implore your help with my studies and upcoming examinations. Despite my hard work and good will, I am anxious about these tests, and how I will perform. Remember, Saint Joseph, that you too endured a similar difficulty and that through obedience and the powerful protection of your spiritual father, you were providentially helped toward your calling and vocation. Remember that you found yourself in the same difficulty and that through obedience and the powerful protection of your spiritual father you came out providentially well.
(Mention your request here…)
I beg your assistance now; help me to be confident in my testing, and prompt and alert in all of my answers. I ask your prayers for my intention, in the name of Jesus, and also with a special supplication to Mary and Saint Francis, your Holy Father. O patron saint of academic examinations, I am convinced that my hope in your prayerful assistance will not be disappointed.

Amen

Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…

September 19^th

Our Lady Of La Salette 

19 September – Feast Day of Our Lady of La Salette 

On September 19, 1846, the Mother of God appeared high in the Alps of France, near the village of LaSalette. The witnesses of the event were Maximin Giraud and Melanie Mathieu, eleven and fourteen years of age respectively. The children first noticed the “Beautiful Lady” as she was seated on a stone, weeping. An intense light surrounded her. She arose and came toward the children, saying: “Come near, my children, do not be afraid. I am here to tell you great news.”

Novena in Honor of Our Lady of La Salette

(This Novena can be made at any time, but it is customary
to make it from the 11th to the 19th of each month).–1950

First Day

In casting myself at thy feet, O loving Mother, to ask thee: (here mention your request), I cannot help remembering that thou camest on the mountain of La Salette, first of all, to remind me of my Christian duties. Therefore, there is no surer way for me to have my petition granted, than to return to the friendship of Jesus, by a sincere confession, and to endeavor with my whole strength to overcome my besetting sin. O Virgin Reconciler of sinners, obtain for me this most precious of all graces, for, with it all the rest shall be added unto me. The numberless miracles obtained by those who invoke thee under the title of Our Lady of La Salette, fill my heart with hope that my petition shall prove as fortunate as those addressed to thee, by so many other suppliants. Vouchsafe, O Mother, during each day of my novena, to instill into my heart some of the teaching of thy merciful Apparition.

Practice–Consecrate yourself to Our Lady of La Salette.

Second Day

O sorrowful Mother, why those tears shed in the wild solitude, on the rock which thou madest for a while thy earthly throne?

My child, happy would I be, if my grief should inspire you with a heart-felt sorrow for your sins, and with a firm resolution to lead a better life! The land of your heart, as the Prophet says, is made desolate, because of your love for the world and its empty pleasures, because of your forgetfulness to meditate upon the most important truths of faith, i.e., your last end, together with the dreadful consequences, both here and hereafter, of your thoughtlessness. Retire into solitude and there my Son will speak to your heart, and will breathe into your soul the proper means of securing your salvation.

O Mother, the motives that urge me to mingle my tears with thine are innumerable. I will not resist Jesus’ call any longer. Henceforth, with thy powerful aid, my thoughts, words and actions shall correspond to the wishes of the Divine Heart of Jesus.

Practice–Recite ten Hail Marys and ten invocations to Our Lady of La Salette to ask for a deep hatred of sin.

Third Day

What, O Mother, is the meaning of the bright cross which shines upon thy breast? Why this stream of tears trickling down thy heavenly face and rolling over the golden cross on which they are burnt away as on a fire of Love?

My child, was your soul never defiled by a mortal sin? Did you never scoff at my Son, thus crucifying anew your Saviour and your God? Is not the cross, that sacred emblem of salvation, scornfully banished from all the places where it used once to stand in honor? Such iniquities should be washed away by tears of blood! Strive, therefore, to appease my Son’s wrath and to mitigate His vengeance. Stand in fear that the Sacred Blood which once flowed on Calvary, should now fall revengefully upon your head, and the heads of those you hold dearest in this world! Dread that you should be deserted by God! Contemplate Jesus on His Cross. Humbly adore Him and pour forth your most heart-felt thanks at His feet. Remember that, with Him, there is a remedy for every evil. There is no virtue but finds in Him a perfect model. Bear His cross on your breast, but chiefly in your heart. And in return, heaven shall be your reward.

Fifth Day

The flood of thy tears at La Salette, O sorrowful Mother, ceased only with thy words, as the little shepherdess said. And it was noticed that thou didst weep more abundantly, while speaking of our greatest sins, i. e., blasphemy, profanation of the Lord’s day, violation of the laws of fast and abstinence, rebellion against God and His Church, indifference in regard to thy supernatural warnings, and ingratitude for thy gifts and thy love. Let thy tear-be- dewed face always be before my eyes, that it may soften my heart, and impart to it the grace of a true repentance! And to prove that I am heartily sorry for my sins, I will, from this day, spare no effort to combat the great crimes with which thou didst reproach us in thy Apparition.

Practice–Recite an act of reparation for the sins of mankind.

Act of Reparation

Eighth Day

O loving Mother, how vividly real do the secrets of thy maternal heart appear in thy merciful Apparition! How greatly they increase and strengthen my confidence in thee! O amiable Mother, how mercifully thou bearest the rebukes encountered in thy endeavors to bring back to God the hearts of thy erring children. One may remain deaf to the call of thy love and engaging goodness; but he will yield to thy tears. For the tears of a mother go straight to the heart and melt it. But, as regards those whose hardened hearts despise even thy tears, thou hast awful threats and terrible chastisements in store for them. Yet, even then, how much like those of a mother are thy reproofs and punishments! With one hand thou strikest, while with the other thou upholdest. Even when we go astray, thy watchful and maternal eyes follow us in the minutest details of life, to detect the slightest good sentiments of our hearts, in order to reward them. Who would not strive to inflame every heart with love and respect for thee?

Practice–Speak to one of your friends and acquaintances of Our Lady of La Salette.

Ninth Day

The days of my novena have come to an end, and I have hardly begun to meditate upon the teachings of thy Apparition. How solacing for our wearied hearts to contemplate thee and to pour forth our humble prayers at thy feet! Hours spent with thee are but as instants which pass with a flight as rapid as that of the lightning-flash. But, as thou didst once say to the shepherds enraptured by thy sight: “Well, my children, you will make this known to all my people”; so now thou addressest me with the same warning: Well, my child, you will make my teachings known to all my people. Love rejoices to express itself by sacrifices and devotedness. Teach, then, all those about you the necessity of serving God. Make known to them the religious observances, and the delight found in the service of God. And, to fulfill this sacred duty, meditate upon the teachings of my Apparition. O my child, let your heart be inflamed like that of your Mother with the fire of holy zeal for God’s glory! Remember that by edifying your fellow-creatures, and procuring their salvation, you secure your own. Yes! heaven is the prize!

Practice–Make the Stations of the Cross for the Souls in Purgatory.

Litany of Our Lady of La Salette

September 19^th

Saint Januarius

Prayer To Saint Januarius

Oh Gennaro, brave of faith in Jesus Christ, glorious patron of Catholic Naples, looks upon us benignly and accepts our vows, that today we lie at your feet with total confidence in your powerful patronage.
How many times have you run to help your fellow citizens, now stopping in the path of the destructive lava of Vesuvius, and now saving us from plague, earthquakes, famine and many other divine punishments that terrify us.
The perpetual miracle of the liquefaction of your blood is a sure and extremely eloquent sign that you live among us, that you know our needs and that you protect us in a singular way.
Oh, we pray you to pray for us, sure that we will be answered; and saved from all the evils that oppress us from all directions.
Save us from unbelief, and you will see that the faith, by which you have generously sacrificed your life, always, always produces fertile fruits of saints made among us.
Amen.

Collect Prayer

O God, who grant us to venerate the memory of the Martyr Saint Januarius, give us, we pray, the joy of his company in blessed happiness for all eternity. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

Collect

Look upon us, O God, Creator and ruler of all things, and, that we may feel the working of your mercy, grant that we may serve you With all our heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

September 20^th

Saints Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and Companions

Prayer On The Memorial Of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gon, Paul Chong Ha-sang, And Companions (Korean Martyrs)

O God, who have been pleased to increase
your adopted children in all the world,
and who made the blood of the Martyrs
Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gon and his companions
a most fruitful seed of Christians,
grant that we may be defended by their help
and profit always from their example.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

Prayer

O God, you have created all nations and you are their salvation. In the land of Korea your call to Catholic faith formed a people of adoption, whose growth you nurtured by the blood of Andrew, Paul, and their companions. Through their martyrdom and their intercession grant us strength that we too may remain faithful to your commandments even until death. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Amen.

Praying the Chaplet of St. Andrew Kim Taegon

Opening Prayer on the Crucifix

O God, who have been pleased to increase your adopted children in all the world, and who made the blood of the Martyrs Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gon and his companions a most fruitful seed of Christians, grant that we may be defended by their help and profit always from their example. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Intention: (on the cord after the Crucifix) Saint Andrew Kim Taegon, you followed the Lord’s Call and journeyed to Macao to enter seminary. Please pray for our priests and seminarians as they serve with love as you did.

Reading from his letters from prison: “God orders all things in this world. God permits even persecutions. As you wait in patient submission, pray earnestly for speedy peace. My death will be a loss to you physically and spiritually, but before long God will send you another shepherd better than I. So do not grieve, but practice greater charity and serve the Lord so that we may meet again in God’s eternal mansion.”

3 Our Fathers

Intention: Saint Andrew Kim Taegon, in serving the Korean people you underwent trials and tribulations. Please pray for us to always trust in the Lord.

Reading: “Following the footsteps of the saints, bring greater glory to the Church by being loyal soldiers and upright people of God. Although you are many be of one mind, not forgetting to love. Be patient and compassionate as you await the Lord’s day of mercy.”

3 Hail Mary’s

Intention: Saint Andrew Kim Taegon, you were imprisoned because you were a Christian and martyred for your faith. Please help us spread the love of Jesus wherever we are as you did.

Reading: “Once born, no one can escape dying. What I desire is to die for God. Whether you question me today or tomorrow, my answers will be the same.”

3 Glory Be’s

Intention: Saint Andrew Kim Taegon, you greatly inspired your people who had contact with you. Pray that others will see the Lord in us as they did in you.

Reading: “So it is the Lord regards the world as His field and us as His seedlings. He fertilizes us with grace and waters us with the Blood of the Savior that we might grow and produce grain. At the judgment, harvest time, those who produce the fruits of grace will be justified and the others will receive just punishment.”

Closing Prayer on the Medal

O God, you have created all nations and you are their salvation. In the land of Korea your call to Catholic faith formed a people of adoption, whose growth you nurtured by the blood of Andrew, Paul, and their companions. Through their martyrdom and their intercession grant us strength that we too may remain faithful to your commandments even until death. Saint Andrew Kim Dae-gon, you led others in service to Christ. You said “We will soon be going out to the battlefield. Take good care and let us meet again in Heaven. I love you and cannot forget you. I beg you, in these troubled times do not be led astray. Pray to the Lord Day and night to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. Be steadfast in persecution. Put eternal glory first and work for the salvation of your souls.” Please pray that we will love abundantly in our service to others. We ask all these things through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

September 21^st

Saint Matthew

Prayer to Saint Matthew for Grace

O Glorious St. Matthew,
in your Gospel you portray Jesus
as the longed-for Messiah
who fulfilled the Prophets
of the Old Covenant and
as the Lawgiver who founded
a Church of the New Covenant.
Obtain for us the grace to see
Jesus living in His Church and
to follow His teaching in our lives
on Earth so that we may live forever
with Him in heaven.
Amen.

Prayer to Saint Matthew

O Glorious St. Matthew
through the grace of God
Our Father you gave us the Holy Gospel,
which brings us joy and life.
Inspired by your example,
I ask for your assistance
in all my needs.
Help me to follow Christ
and remain faithful to His service.
Amen.

Prayer To St. Matthew For Faithfulness

God of Mercy,
You chose a tax collector,
Saint Matthew, to share the dignity of the apostles.
By his example and prayers help us to follow
Christ and remain faithful in Your service.
We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ,
Your Son, who lives and reigns with You
and the Holy Spirit, one God,
Forever and ever.
Amen.

September 23^rd

Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

Prayer for the Intercession of St. Pio of Pietrelcina

Dear God, You generously blessed Your servant,
St. Pio of Pietrelcina, with the gifts of the Spirit.
You marked his body with the five wounds
of Christ Crucified, as a powerful witness
to the saving Passion and Death of Your Son.
Endowed with the gift of discernment,
St. Pio labored endlessly in the confessional
for the salvation of souls.
With reverence and intense devotion
in the celebration of Mass,
he invited countless men and women
to a greater union with Jesus Christ
in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
Through the intercession of St. Pio of Pietrelcina,
I confidently beseech You to grant me
the grace of (here state your petition).

Amen.
Glory be to the Father… (three times).

Prayer to Saint Pio

O God,
You gave Saint Pio of Pietrelcina,
Capuchin priest,
the great privilege of participating
in a unique way in the passion of Your Son,
grant me
through his intercession
the grace of …
which I ardently desire;
and above all grant me the grace of
living in conformity
with the death of Jesus,
to arrive at the glory
of the resurrection.
Glory be to the Father… (three times)

Prayer of St. Pio of Pietrelcina after Holy Communion

Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have You present so that I do not forget You. You know how easily I abandon You.
Stay with me Lord, because I am weak, and I need Your strength, so that I may not fall so often.
Stay with me Lord, for You are my life, and without You, I am without fervor.
Stay with me Lord, for You are my light, and without you, I am in darkness.
Stay with me Lord, to show me Your will.
Stay with me Lord, so that I hear Your voice and follow You.
Stay with me Lord, for I desire to love you very much, and always be in Your Company.
Stay with me Lord, if You wish me to be faithful to You.
Stay with me Lord, for as poor as my soul is, I want it to be a place of consolation for You, a nest of Love.
Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late, and the day is coming to a close, and life passes, death, judgment, eternity approach. It is necessary to renew my strength, so that I will not stop along the way and for that, I need You. It is getting late and death approaches. I fear the darkness, the temptations, the dryness, the cross, the sorrows. O how I need You, my Jesus, in this night of exile.
Stay with me tonight, Jesus, in life with all its dangers, I need You.
Let me recognize You as Your disciples did at the breaking of bread, so that the Eucharistic Communion be the light which disperses the darkness, the force which sustains me, the unique joy of my heart.
Stay with me Lord, because at the hour of my death, I want to remain united to you, if not by Communion, at least by grace and love.
Stay with me Jesus, I do not ask for divine consolation because I do not merit it, but the gift of Your presence, oh yes, I ask this of You.
Stay with me Lord, for it is You alone I look for, Your Love, Your Grace, Your Will, Your Heart, Your Spirit, because I love You and ask no other reward but to love You more and more.
With a firm love, I will love You with all my heart while on earth and continue to love You perfectly during all eternity.

Amen.

Novena to father Pio of Pietrelcina

1st Day

Beloved St. Pio of Pietrelcina, you have had the signs of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ on your body. You have carried this stigmata for everyone, enduring both the physical and mental sufferings that racked your soul and body in a continual sacrifice. We beg you to pray for us, so that we will be able to accept both the little and the larger crosses we too must bear during our life on earth and to offer these sufferings to God, assuring us a place with him in Eternal Life.

2nd Day

Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, together with Our Lord Jesus Christ, you’ve been able to withstand the temptations of the Devil. You suffered the beatings and the oppression of the demon of hell, who wanted to have you abandon your journey of holiness. We beg you to pray for us so that, with your help and the help of all of the Heavenly Kingdom, we will be able to find the strength to set sin aside and to persevere in our faith until the day of our death.

2nd Day

Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, together with Our Lord Jesus Christ, you’ve been able to withstand the temptations of the Devil. You suffered the beatings and the oppression of the demon of hell, who wanted to have you abandon your journey of holiness. We beg you to pray for us so that, with your help and the help of all of the Heavenly Kingdom, we will be able to find the strength to set sin aside and to persevere in our faith until the day of our death.

3rd Day

Virtuous St. Pio of Pietrelcina, you love Our Holy Mother very much and have received daily graces and consolations from her. Please, we beg you to pray to the Holy Mother for us.  Place in her hands the sorrow for our sins and our prayers of reparation, so that, as at Cana of Galilee, her Son says ‘yes’ to His Mother and our name may be written in the Book of  Eternal Life.

4th Day

Chaste St. Pio of Pietrelcina, you loved your Guardian Angel, who served you well as your guide and as a defender and messenger. The Angels brought the prayers of your spiritual children to you. We beg you to pray for us, so that we may learn to call on our Guardian Angel who is always ready to guide us to what is good and to avoid falling into sinful actions.

9th Day

Humble St. Pio of Pietrelcina, you who loved the Roman Catholic Church, pray for us.   May the Master send workers to the harvest and give them the strength and knowledge needed to be children of God. Pray that Our Holy Lady will unite Christian people everywhere, comforting all of them in one great house of the Lord, the lighthouse of our salvation in the storm of life… just as a lighthouse is a beacon for safe return when there is a storm at sea.

September 24^th

Priesthood Sunday

Priesthood Sunday, celebrated nationwide on the last Sunday of September each year, is a special day to honor the men who serve as priests. It is also a day to honor all religious and to focus on the importance of vocations. Catholic Scout Packs, Troops, Venturing Crews and Sea Scout Ships are encouraged to make a special effort to involve young people in expressing appreciation to priests. This can be done at Mass on Priesthood Sunday, at a parish or Catholic school event or in other ways.
Priesthood Sunday is a time to affirm the priesthood of Jesus Christ and its central place in the life of the Church. Priesthood Sunday offers an opportunity for young people to connect with their parish pastor, as well as other priests in their community, and learn more about their vocation. This is especially important for young people today because there are fewer priests now than there used to be. Through Priesthood Sunday activities, young people can get to know their pastor or another priest and have the opportunity to learn firsthand about the vocation of priesthood.
The deacons and lay faithful can develop their own special way of marking the day and honoring their parish priests both at Mass and other parish events, such as social celebrations and school activities. Priesthood Sunday is designed to be an event led by the laity, but you may ask your parish priest to participate by talking about how he experienced and answered his own calling and about priests who have inspired him. Priesthood Sunday offers an opportunity for priests and their parishioners to build a stronger working relationship.
Together, they can dialogue to take an honest look at the challenges of the future and how they can collaborate to meet those challenges as a united force.

A Priesthood Sunday Prayer

Gracious and loving God, we thank you for the gift of our priests.
Through them, we experience your presence in the sacraments.
Help them, and all priests, to be strong in their vocation.
Set their souls on fire with love for your people.
Grant them the wisdom, understanding, and strength they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
Inspire them with the vision of your Kingdom.
Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel.
Allow them to experience joy in their ministry.
Help them to become instruments of your divine grace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest.
Amen.

Prayer for Priests

Lord Jesus Christ, eternal High Priest,
You offered yourself to the Father on the altar of the Cross
and through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit
gave Your priestly people a share in Your redeeming sacrifice.

Hear our prayer for the sanctification of our priests.
Grant that all who are ordained to the ministerial priesthood
may be ever more conformed to You, the Divine Master.
May they preach the Gospel with pure heart and clear conscience.

Let them be shepherds according to Your own Heart,
single-minded in service to You and to the Church
and shining examples of a holy, simple and joyful life.

Through the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Your Mother and ours,
draw all priests and the flocks entrusted to their care
to the fullness of eternal life where you live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

A Prayer For Priests By St. Therese Of Lisieux

O Jesus, eternal Priest,
keep your priests within the shelter of Your Sacred Heart,
where none may touch them.
Keep unstained their anointed hands,
which daily touch Your Sacred Body.
Keep unsullied their lips,
daily purpled with your Precious Blood.
Keep pure and unearthly their hearts,
sealed with the sublime mark of the priesthood.
Let Your holy love surround them and
shield them from the world’s contagion.
Bless their labors with abundant fruit and
may the souls to whom they minister be their joy and consolation here and in heaven their beautiful and
everlasting crown.
Amen.

A Prayer For Priests By John Cardinal O’connor

O loving Mother Mary, Mother of Priests, take to your heart your sons who are close to you because of their priestly ordination and because of the power which they have received to carry on the work of Christ in a world which needs them so much. Be their comfort, be their joy, be their strength, and especially help them to live and to defend the ideals of consecrated celibacy.
Lord Jesus, we your people pray to You for our priests. You have given them to us for OUR needs. We pray for them in THEIR needs.
We know that You have made them priests in the likeness of your own priesthood. You have consecrated them, set them aside, anointed them, filled them with the Holy Spirit, appointed them to teach, to preach, to minister, to console, to forgive, and to feed us with Your Body and Blood.
Yet we know, too, that they are one with us and share our human weaknesses. We know too that they are tempted to sin and discouragement as are we, needing to be ministered to, as do we, to be consoled and forgiven, as do we. Indeed, we thank You for choosing them from among us, so that they understand us as we understand them, suffer with us and rejoice with us, worry with us and trust with us, share our beings, our lives, our faith.
We ask that You give them this day the gift You gave Your chosen ones on the way to Emmaus: Your presence in their hearts, Your holiness in their souls, Your joy in their spirits. And let them see You face to face in the breaking of the Eucharistic bread.
We pray to You, O Lord, through Mary the mother of all priests, for Your priests and for ours.
Amen.

Prayer for a Priest

O Jesus, our great High Priest, Hear my humble prayers on behalf of your priest, [Father Name]. Give him a deep faith, a bright and firm hope and a burning love which will ever increase in the course of his priestly life.
In his loneliness, comfort him In his sorrows, strengthen him In his frustrations, point out to him that it is through suffering that the soul is purified, and show him that he is needed by the Church, he is needed by souls, he is needed for the work of redemption.
O loving Mother Mary, Mother of Priests, take to your heart your son who is close to you because of his priestly ordination, and because of the power which he has received to carry on the work of Christ in a world which needs him so much.
Be his comfort, be his joy, be his strength, and especially help him to live and to defend the ideals of consecrated celibacy.
Amen.

Prayer for Clergy and Religious

Eternal Father, we lift up to you these and all the clergy and religious of the world.
Sanctify them. Heal them; guide them. Mold them into the likeness and holiness of Your Son, Jesus, the Eternal High Priest.
May their lives be pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.

Prayer for all Priests

Give them Your wisdom, Lord.
Give them virtue.
Give them patience and charity.
Give them obedience and kindness.
Give them a burning zeal for souls.
Give them an intense love for the Eucharist.
Give them loyalty to the Holy See and to their Bishops.
Give them respect for their dignity.
Give them a great love for Mary.
Give them rectitude and justice.
Give them the gift of counsel.
Give them strength in their labors.
Give them peace in their sufferings.
Give them humility and generosity.
Let them be the light of souls.
Let them be the salt of the earth.
Let them practice sacrifice and self-denial.
Let them enkindle hearts with the love of Mary.
Let them be other Christs. Let them be holy in body and soul.
May they be men of prayer.
May faith shine forth in them.
May they be concerned only for the salvation of souls.
May they be faithful to their priestly vocation.
May their hands know only how to bless.
May they burn with love for You and for Mary.
May all their steps be for the glory of God.
May the Holy Spirit possess them, and give them his Gifts and fruits in abundance.
Let us pray.
O God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are the soul and the life of the Church. Hear the prayers we offer for priests. We ask this through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, their protector and guide.
Amen.

September 24^th

World Day of Migrants

Each year, the world observes World Day of Migrants and Refugees on September 26 or on the last Sunday of September. It is a day designated yearly by the United Nations to commemorate and honor people who have been forced to flee their homes, people who have escaped conflict, seen adversity, and, against all odds, forged their way to find greener pastures in places far away from their homes. This day has been designated to recognize the courage and fortitude of these people and heighten our level of empathy and understanding for the plight and difficult decisions many immigrants have had to make. The activities carried out on this day are to support and create opportunities for immigrants and refugees.
Every year since 1914, the church has been celebrating World Day of Migrants and Refugees. Pope Pius X called on everyone to join hands together and pray for migrants. Benedict who was succeeded only a few months later was moved by Pope Pius’ sensitivity and carried out some practical initiatives. During this time a letter titled “The pain and concerns” was sent to the Italian Diocesan Ordinaries with a request to establish an annual day of awareness to spiritually and economically support the pastoral work of Italian immigrants.

Prayer

Lord, make us bearers of hope,
so that where there is darkness,
your light may shine,
and where there is discouragement,
confidence in the future may be reborn.
Lord, make us instruments of your justice,
so that where there is exclusion, fraternity may flourish,
and where there is greed, a spirit of sharing may grow.
Lord, make us builders of your Kingdom,
together with migrants and refugees
and with all who dwell on the peripheries.
Lord, let us learn how beautiful it is
to live together as brothers and sisters.
Amen.

Prayer for Migrants and Refugees

Lord Jesus, when you multiplied the loaves and fishes, you provided more than food for the body, you offered us the gift of yourself, the gift which satisfies every hunger and quenches every thirst! Your disciples were filled with fear and doubt, but you poured out your love and compassion on the migrant crowd, welcoming them as brothers and sisters.
Lord Jesus, today you call us to welcome the members of God’s family who come to our land to escape oppression, poverty, persecution, violence, and war. Like your disciples, we too are filled with fear and doubt and even suspicion. We build barriers in our hearts and in our minds.
Lord Jesus, help us by your grace,
To banish fear from our hearts, that we may embrace each of your children as our own brother and sister;
To welcome migrants and refugees with joy and generosity, while responding to their many needs;
To realize that you call all people to your holy mountain to learn the ways of peace and justice;
To share of our abundance as you spread a banquet before us;
To give witness to your love for all people, as we celebrate the many gifts they bring.
We praise you and give you thanks for the family you have called together from so many people. We see in this human family a reflection of the divine unity of the one Most Holy Trinity in whom we make our prayer: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, today our hearts are with those fleeing their homes in desperate search of safety and the possibility of a better life. Remove from our hearts, Lord, the suspicions, prejudices and fears that separate us from these strangers in our midst. Help us to respond to their needs as a community of generosity and love, seeing your face in all those most in need around us. We ask this, Lord, in your name. Amen.

Pope’s Prayer for Immigrants

Merciful God, we pray to you for all the men, women and children who have died after leaving their homelands in search of a better life.
Though many of their graves bear no name, to you each one is known, loved and cherished.
May we never forget them, but honour their sacrifice with deeds more than words. We entrust to you all those who have made this journey, enduring fear, uncertainty and humiliation, in order to reach a place of safety and hope.
Just as you never abandoned your Son as he was brought to a safe place by Mary and Joseph, so now be close to these, your sons and daughters, through our tenderness and protection.
In caring for them may we seek a world where none are forced to leave their home and where all can live in freedom, dignity and peace.
Merciful God and Father of all, wake us from the slumber of indifference, open our eyes to their suffering, and free us from the insensitivity born of worldly comfort and self-centredness.
Inspire us, as nations, communities and individuals, to see that those who come to our shores are our brothers and sisters.
May we share with them the blessings we have received from your hand, and recognize that together, as one human family, we are all migrants, journeying in hope to you, our true home, where every tear will be wiped away, where we will be at peace and safe in your embrace.

Strangers in a Foreign Land

Lord God, help us to remember those who tonight will go to sleep unfed and unwelcome,
strangers in foreign lands, people who have fled for their lives and are far from their homes.
We lift up to you those who are escaping persecution and conflict, having fled death, torture or ruthless exploitation.
So many carry wounds, mental and physical. So many have suffered greatly.
Lord Jesus, give us more of your compassion for their plight, soften our hearts to their situation,
and help us follow your lead in seeking justice and mercy on their behalf.
We pray for an end to the wars, poverty and human rights abuses that drive desperate people to become refugees in the first place.
We give thanks for people working in troubled countries and ask for more of
your blessing so we can bring life, dignity and hope to those that remain.
We thank you that you are Lord of all the earth and all its people are loved by you.
We pray these things in the name of your Son who was himself born into the troubled life of a refugee.

A Prayer for World Day of Migrants and Refugees

When Abraham welcomed the angels,
They, too, were on a journey,
And he begged them not to pass him by.
How is that we miss the holy image of God
In our sisters and brothers,
Traveling perilous distances
In the baking sun, the drenching rain?
How is it that we do not run from our tents
To welcome and deeply embrace
All who flee from violence and poverty,
Seeking the ever-distant horizon of hope?
May we, like Abraham,
Run to gather the very best
Of what we have to offer
And lay it out lovingly
On the holy table of hospitality.
Amen.

Pope Francis’ Prayer For The World Day Of Migrants And Refugees

Father, you entrusted to Saint Joseph what you held most precious: the child Jesus and his Mother, in order to protect them from the dangers and threats of the wicked.
Grant that we may experience his protection and help. May he, who shared in the sufferings of those who flee from the hatred of the powerful, console and protect all our brothers and sisters driven by war, poverty and necessity to leave their homes and their lands to set out as refugees for safer places.
Help them, through the intercession of Saint Joseph, to find the strength to persevere, give them comfort in sorrows and courage amid their trials.
Grant to those who welcome them some of the tender love of this just and wise father, who loved Jesus as a true son and sustained Mary at every step of the way.
May he, who earned his bread by the work of his hands, watch over those who have seen everything in life taken away and obtain for them the dignity of a job and the serenity of a home.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son, whom Saint Joseph saved by fleeing to Egypt, and trusting in the intercession of the Virgin Mary, whom he loved as a faithful husband in accordance with your will.

Amen.

September 26^th

Saint Paul VI

Prayer of Pope Paul VI

Make us worthy Lord, to serve our brothers and sisters throughout the world who live and die in poverty and hunger.
Give them, by our hands this day their daily bread, and by our understanding love, peace and joy.

Amen.

Collect Prayer

Grant us, O Lord, we pray, that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and that your Church may rejoice, untroubled in her devotion. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

Prayer of Pope Paul VI – You Are Our Mother

You Are Our Mother
O Mary, look upon the church, look upon the most responsible members of the Mystical Body of Christ gathered about you to thank you and to celebrate you as their Mystical Mother.
O Mary, bless the great assembly of the hierarchical church, which also gives birth to brothers and sisters of Christ, the firstborn among redeemed humankind.
O Mary, grant that this church of Christ– in defining itself–will acknowledge you as its most chosen mother, daughter, and sister, as well as its incomparable model, its glory, its joy, and its hope.
We ask you now that we may be made worthy of honoring you
because of who your are and because of what you do in the wondrous and loving plan of salvation.
Grant that we may praise you, O holy Virgin! O Mary,
look upon us who are your children,
look upon us who are brothers and sisters,
disciples and apostles and continuation of Jesus.
Make us aware of our vocation and our mission; may we not be unworthy to take on– in our priesthood, in our word, in the offering of our life for the faithful entrusted to us– the representation and personification of Christ.
O you who are full of grace, grant that the priesthood that honors you may itself also be holy and immaculate.
O Mary, we pray to you for our Christian brothers and sisters
who are still separated from our Catholic family.
See how a glorious group of them celebrate your cult with fidelity and love.
See also how among another group, who are so intent on calling themselves Christians, there now dawns the remembrance and the veneration of you,O most holy Lady.
Call these children of yours to the one unity under your motherly and heavenly aid.
O Mary, look upon all mankind, this modern world in which the divine will calls us to live and work.
It is a world that has turned its back on the light of Christ; then it fears and bemoans the frightening shadows that its actions have created on all sides.
May your most human voice,
O most beautiful of virgins,
O most worthy of mothers,
O blessed among women,
invited the world to turn its eyes
toward the life that is the light of man,
toward you who are the precursor-lamp of Christ, Who is the sole and the highest Light of the world.
Implore for the world the true understanding of its own existence;
implore for the world the joy of living as the creation of God and hence the desire and the capacity to converse–by prayer– with its Maker, whose mysterious and blesses image it reflects within itself.
Implore for the world the grace to esteem everything as the gift of God and hence the virtue to work with generosity and to make use of such gifts wisely and providently.
Implore peace for the world.
Fashion brothers and sistersout of persons who are so divided.
Guide us to a more ordered and peaceful society.
For those who are suffering– today there are so many and ever new ones, afflicted by current misfortunes– obtain solace;
and for the dead, obtain eternal rest.
Show yourself a mother to us; this is our prayer,
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!
Amen.

September 27^th

Saint Vincent de Paul

St. Vincent de Paul Prayer

Lord Jesus, may the example of St. Vincent de Paul inspire us to be generous of hearts and hand to the needy. May our generosity flow from humble gratitude for your many gifts to us, rather than from false pride in our own abilities. We are all needy in our own ways-and so are dependent on your generosity and that of others. Help us to respond willingly to the Gospel call to self-giving love, to look for ways to serve rather than expecting to be served.

Amen.

Prayer To St Vincent de Paul

St. Vincent, patron of all charitable associations and father of those who are in misery, come to our assistance.
Obtain from Our Lord, help for the poor, relief for the infirm, consolation for the afflicted, protection for the abandoned, a spirit of generosity for the rich, grace of conversion for sinners, zeal for priests, peace for the Church, tranquillity and order for all nations, and salvation for them all.

May we be united in the life to come, by your intercession, and experience joy, gladness, and everlasting happiness.

Amen.

… St Vincent de Paul, Pray for Us …

Prayer For Homeless Persons

O God you are a God of justice, mercy, and compassion. Support us, your servants of the poor, as we endeavor to bring your love and compassion to people who are homeless and in need of your love. We pray that we will see you, our all-loving God in each homeless person we encounter and in our service for those in need. May we do all in our power to support each person reach their potential, so they experience the fullness of life. We ask this prayer through Jesus Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

Prayer To St Vincent de Paul I

Noble Saint Vincent de Paul,
beloved servant of the poor,
may we follow your example and do good works
among those whom society has abandoned,
enslaved, or forgotten.
Inspire us to feed the hungry,
to love a child,
to provide comfort and medicine to the sick,
to clothe those whose garments are threadbare,
and to offer hope and our Lord’s words
to all who need respite.
Pray for us to our beloved God
that we may commit ourselves selflessly
to doing the same charitable acts
that you did all your life,
and intercede with him
that we may have the favour of his guidance
and strength and love upon this important and meaningful work.

Amen.

Prayer of the Vincentian Family

Lord Jesus, you who willed to become poor, give us eyes and a heart directed toward the poor; help us recognize you in them — in their thirst, their hunger, their loneliness, and their misfortune. Enkindle within our Vincentian Family unity, simplicity, humility, and the fire of love that burned in St. Vincent de Paul. Strengthen us, so that faithful to the practice of these virtues, we may contemplate you and see you in the person of the poor and may one day be united with you and them in your Kingdom.

Amen.

Prayer to St. Vincent de Paul

O Glorious Saint Vincent de Paul,
The mention of your name,
Suggests a litany of your virtues:
Humility, zeal, mercy, self-sacrifice.
It also recalls
Your many foundations:
Works of Mercy,
Congregations,
Societies.
The Church gratefully remembers,
Your promotion of the priesthood.
Inspire all Charitable Workers,
Especially those who minister,
To both the spiritually
And the materially poor.
O Lord, give us the grace,
That You bestowed upon,
Your servant St. Vincent de Paul,
To relinquish the temptation,
Of material things,
In our holy effort,
To minister to the poor.
Amen.

September 28^th

Saint Lorenzo Ruiz and Companions

Prayer

Grant us, we pray, Lord God, the same perseverance shown by your Martyrs Saint Lawrence Ruiz and his companions in serving you and their neighbor, since those persecuted for the sake of righteousness are blessed in your Kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. God, forever and ever.

Collect Prayer

O God, who taught the Martyr Saint Wenceslaus to place the heavenly Kingdom before an earthly one, grant through his prayers that, denying ourselves, we may hold fast to you with all our heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

Prayer to St. Lorenzo Ruiz

O most merciful and almighty God,
You bestowed as gift to Lorenzo Ruiz
The strength to withstand
The overpowering forces of death
For the sake of his faith in You.

Through his prayers,
Help us to follow his example
By overcoming all life’s trials
And eventually, increase
Our hope and love in You.

O St. Lorenzo Ruiz,
You brought honor to your country,
Having been a level-headed
And prudent father of the family,
A witness of Christ in your life
Until your death.

We present all our petitions
To God through your help
So that by our actions,
We may know more and love more
Jesus our Lord and Savior.

We humbly implore
Your intercession O dear St. Lorenzo,
For the infinite glory of God
And in honor of your triumph
As a martyr of Christ
And defender of Christianity.

Amen.

Saint Lorenzo Ruiz Memorial Prayer Card

God our loving Father, we praise and thank you for crowning St. Lorenzo Ruiz with the glory of martyrdom. Through his intercession, enable us by your Holy Spirit, to live and die for you and your beloved people, hoping that we may be transformed day by day into the likeness of your Son, Jesus Christ. United with him around the table of the Eucharistic Sacrifice, inspire us to surrender ourselves that we may be taken by you, Father, to be blessed, broken, and shared with and for others in love and unity. Amen.

September 29^th

Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael

A Prayer to Saint Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels

Heavenly King, You have given us archangels to assist us during our pilgrimage on earth. Saint Michael is our protector; I ask him to come to my aid, fight for all my loved ones, and protect us from danger. Saint Gabriel is a messenger of the Good News; I ask him to help me clearly hear Your voice and to teach me the truth. Saint Raphael is the healing angel; I ask him to take my need for healing and that of everyone I know, lift it up to Your throne of grace and deliver us back to the gift of recovery. Help us, O Lord, to realize more fully the reality of archangels and their desire to serve us. Holy angels, pray for us. Amen.

Prayer to St. Michael to Protect the Church and her Members

O Glorious St. Michael, guardian and defender of the Church of Jesus Christ, come to the assistance of this Church, against which the powers of hell are unchained, guard with especial care her august head, and obtain that for him and for us the hour of triumph may speedily arrive. O glorious Archangel St. Michael, watch over us during life, defend us against the assaults of the demon, assist us especially at the hour of death; obtain for us a favorable judgment, and the happiness of beholding God face to face for endless ages. Amen.

Prayer to St. Gabriel the Archangel

O Blessed Archangel Gabriel, we beseech thee, do thou intercede for us at the throne of divine Mercy in our present necessities, that as you did announce to Mary the mystery of the Incarnation, so through your prayers and patronage in heaven we may obtain the benefits of the same, and sing the praise of God forever in the land of the living. Amen.

Prayer to St. Raphael the Archangel

O glorious Archangel, St. Raphael, great Prince of the heavenly court, illustrious for your gifts of wisdom and grace, guide of those who journey by land or sea, consoler of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners: I beg you to assist me in all my needs and in all the suffering of this life, as once you did help the young Tobias on his travels. And because you are the “Medicine of God,” I humbly pray to you to heal the many infirmities of my soul, and the ills which afflict my body, it if be for my greater good. I especially ask of you an angelic purity, which may fit me to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Consecration To The Archangels

St. Michael the Archangel, loyal champion of God and His people, I, today offer and consecrate myself to you, and place myself, my family, and all I possess under your most powerful protection, and I turn to you with confidence and seek your powerful intercession. For the love of God, Who made you so glorious in grace and power, and for the love of the Mother of Jesus, the Queen of the Angels, be pleased to hear my prayer. You know the value of my soul in the eyes of God. May no stain of evil ever disfigure its beauty. Help me to conquer the evil spirit who tempts me. I desire to imitate your loyalty to God and Holy Mother Church and your great love for God and people. And since you are God’s messenger for the care of his people, I entrust to you this special request: (Mention your request). St. Michael, since you are, by the Will of the Creator, the powerful intercessor of Christians, I have great confidence in your prayers. I earnestly trust that if it is God’s Holy Will, my petition will be granted. Pray for me, St. Michael, and also for those I love. Protect us in all dangers of body and soul. Help us in our daily needs. Through your powerful intercession, may we live a holy life, die a happy death, and reach heaven where we may praise and love God with you forever. Amen. Holy Archangel Raphael, standing so close to the throne of God and offering Him our prayers, I, today offer and consecrate myself to you, and place myself, my family, and all I possess under your most powerful protection, and I turn to you with confidence and seek your powerful intercession. I venerate you as God’s special Friend and Messenger. I choose you as my Patron and wish to love and obey you as young Tobiah did. I consecrate to you my body and soul, all my work, and my whole life. I want you to be my Guide and Counselor in all the dangerous and difficult problems and decisions of my life. Remember, dearest, St. Raphael, that the grace of God preserved you with the good Angels in heaven when the proud ones were cast into hell. I entreat you, therefore, to help me in my struggle against the world, the spirit of impurity, and the devil. Defend me from all dangers and every occasion of sin. Direct me always in the way of peace, safety, and salvation. Offer my prayers to God as you offered those of Tobiah, so that through your intercession I may obtain the graces necessary for the salvation of my soul. I ask you to pray that God grant me this favor if it be His holy Will: (Mention your request). St. Raphael, help me to love and serve my God faithfully, to die in His grace, and finally to merit to join you in seeing and praising God forever in heaven. Amen. St. Gabriel the Archangel, I venerate you as the “Angel of the Incarnation,” because God has specially appointed you to bear the messages concerning the God-Man to Daniel, Zechariah, and the Blessed Virgin Mary. I, today offer and consecrate myself to you, and place myself, my family, and all I possess under your most powerful protection, and I turn to you with confidence and seek your powerful intercession. I venerate you also as the “strength from God,” because you are the giver of God’s strength, consoler, and comforter chosen to strengthen God’s faithful and to teach them important truths. I ask for the grace of a special power of the will to strive for holiness of life. Steady my resolutions, renew my courage, comfort, and console me in the problems, trials, and sufferings of daily living, as you consoled our Savior in His agony and Mary in her sorrows and Joseph in his trials. I put my confidence in you. St. Gabriel, I ask you especially for this favor: (Mention your request). Through your earnest love for the Son of God-Made-Man and for His blessed Mother, I beg of you, intercede for me that my request may be granted if it be God’s holy Will. Pray for us, St. Gabriel the Archangel. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us Pray

Almighty and ever-living God, send to our assistance the Archangels, St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael. May all who stand before the Throne of Thy Majesty, offer unto You our thanksgiving, praises, and petitions, through our Lord Jesus Christ, and mercifully grant that we who honour your holy Archangels on earth may feel the benefit of their patronage in heaven. You live and reign forever. Amen.