PRAYER BEFORE MASS
Almighty and ever-living God, I approach the sacrament of Your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, I come sick to the doctor of life, unclean to the fountain of mercy, blind to the radiance of eternal light, and poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth. Lord, un your great generosity, heal my sickness, wash away my defilement, enlighten my blindness, enrich my poverty, and clothe my nakedness.
May I receive the bread of angels, the King of kings and Lord of lords, with humble reverence, with the purity and faith, the repentance and love, and the determined purpose that will help to bring me to salvation. May I receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Body and Blood, and its reality and power.
Kind God, may I receive the Body of Your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, born from the womb of the Virgin Mary, and so be received into His mystical body and numbered among His members.
Loving Father, as on my earthly pilgrimage I now receive Your beloved Son under the veil of a sacrament, may I one day see him face to face in glory, who lives and reigns with You forever. Amen
St. Thomas Aquinas assist us in preparing for Mass by giving us
a moving example of love and humility in the presence of our Savior.
ANIMA CHRISTI
Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from Christ’s side, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within Thy wounds, hide me. Suffer me not to be separated from Thee. From malicious enemy, defend me. In the hour of my death, call me. And bid me come unto Thee that I may praise Thee with Thy saints and with Thy angels forever and ever. Amen
Commonly believed to have been composed by St. Ignatius of Loyola, the Anima Christi today is often prayed after receiving the Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ in Holy Communion.
PRAYER TO SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan, and all evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
St. Michael, the Archangel has a special heavenly role in doing battle against the devil, protecting the Church and protecting Christians against assaults from the devil. This prayer to St. Michael originated with Pope Leo XIII in 1886.
THE MORNING OFFERING
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you all my works, prayers, joys, and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart. I offer them in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in reparation for my sins, for the intentions of all my relatives and friends, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father. Amen.
PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH
O St. Jospeh, whose protection is so great, so prompt, so strong before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires.
O St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me form your Divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord; so that having engaged here below your Heavenly power, I may offer thanksgiving and homage to the most Loving of Fathers.
O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine Head for me and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath.
St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for me. Amen.
Patron Saint of the dying, the universal Church, husbands and workers, Saint Joseph is the role model for men striving to be faith-filled husbands, providers and protectors of their families.
PRAYER FOR THE SICK
Father in heaven, grant N. comfort in his/her suffering. Give him/her courage when afraid, patience when afflicted, hope when dejected, and when alone assure him/her of the prayerful support of your holy people. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE SERENITY PRAYER
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Amen.
GUARDIAN ANGEL PRAYER
Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here; ever this day, be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.
Angels are placed here because of God’s love for us. We are encouraged to seek their aid. In times of joy, they rejoice with us, and in times sorrow, they mourn with us.
MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY
| The Joyful Mysteries (Mon & Sat) | The Sorrowful Mysteries (Tues & Fri) |
| 1. The Annunciation | 1. The Agony in the Garden |
| 2. The Visitation | 2. The Scourging at the Pillar |
| 3. The Nativity | 3. The Crowning with Thorns |
| 4. The Presentation | 4. The Carrying of the Cross |
| 5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple | 5. The Crucifixion |
The Church has used three sets of mysteries for many centuries. In 2002, Pope John Paul II proposed a fourth set of mysteries-the Mysteries of Light, or Luminous Mysteries.
THE ANGELUS
V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary,
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. (Hail Mary…)
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to thy word. (Hail Mary…)
V. And the Word was made flesh,
R. And dwelt among us. (Hail Mary…)
V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
LET US PRAY: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy Grace into our hearts; that we to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by His Passion and Cross, be brought to glory of His Resurrection through the same Christ our Lord, Amen.
THE MEMORARE
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful; O Mother of the World Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
The Memorare is a beautiful prayer that expresses our confidence in the Blessed Virgin Mary as our advocate and protector. It is attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux.
HOLY SPIRIT PRAYER
Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth.
O God, who has taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE DIVINE PRAISES
Blessed be God.
Blessed be His Holy Name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man.
Blessed be the Name of Jesus.
Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be His Most Precious Blood.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most Holy.
Blessed be her Holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her Glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chase spouse.
Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints. Amen.
Praising God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Blessed Mother, St. Joseph and all the angels and saints, this series of acclamations is often recited after the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
Heavenly Father, Lord of the harvest, call forth vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life for our diocese and our families. Inspire men to imitate Christ the Eternal High Priest in sacrificial service to Your Church.
Move the hearts of men and women to offer themselves wholly to You in poverty, chastity, and obedience. Sen them as laborers for Your harvest. Inspire the faithful to support them with prayer and sacrifice. Raise up holy families who foster openness to Your call. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
ACT OF CONTRITION
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen.