Prayers Of Saints And Petitions To Saints
Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon of St. Francis of Assisi
Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord, All praise is Yours, all glory, all honour and all blessings. To you alone, Most High, do they belong, and no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name. Praised be You my Lord with all Your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, Who is the day through whom You give us light. And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour, Of You Most High, he bears the likeness. Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars, In the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair. Praised be You, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, And fair and stormy, all weather's moods, by which You cherish all that You have made. Praised be You my Lord through Sister Water, So useful, humble, precious and pure. Praised be You my Lord through Brother Fire, through whom You light the night and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong. Praised be You my Lord through our Sister, Mother Earth who sustains and governs us, producing varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs. Praise be You my Lord through those who grant pardon for love of You and bear sickness and trial. Blessed are those who endure in peace, By You Most High, they will be crowned. Praised be You, my Lord through Sister Death, from whom no-one living can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Blessed are they She finds doing Your Will. No second death can do them harm. Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks, And serve Him with great humility.
Cyril of Alexandria
Father, the bishop Cyril courageously taught that Mary was the Mother of God. May we who cherish this belief receive salvation through the incarnation of Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Hymn to Saint Rita of Cascia
I. Come, virgins chaste; pure brides, draw near: Let Earth exult and Heaven hear The Hymn that grateful accents raise, Our song of joy in Rita's praise. II. By fast her sinless frame is weak; Her livid flesh the scourges streak. In pity for her Savior's woes, Her days and even nights are closed. III. The thorn-wound on her brow is shown, The crimson rose in winter blown, And full-ripe figs on frozen tree At Rita's wish the wonders see. IV. The widowed spouse and wedded wife The way to heaven see in her life; The way secure our Rita trod, In life's dim day, through paint o God. V. Praise to the Father and the Son, Praise to the Spirit, Three in One; O grant us grace in heaven to reign Through Rita's prayer and life-long pain. V. Thou hast signed thy servant Rita A. With the sign of thy Love and Passion. Let us Pray. O God! who didst deign to confer on St. Rita for imitating Thee in love of her enemies, the favor of bearing her heart and brow the marks of Thy Love and Passion, grant we beseech Thee, that through her intercession and merit, we may, pierced by the thorns of compunction, ever contemplate the sufferings of Thy Passion, who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen. This hymn is the translation of the hymn of Lauds, office of St. Rita, approved by Decree of S.C.R. Nov. 24, 1900.
Litany of Saint Anthony
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us. God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us. Holy Mary, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Anthony, glory of the Friars Minor, St. Anthony, ark of the testament, St. Anthony, sanctuary of heavenly wisdom, St. Anthony, destroyer of worldly vanity, St. Anthony, conqueror of impurity, St. Anthony, example of humility, St. Anthony, lover of the Cross, St. Anthony, martyr of desire, St. Anthony, generator of charity, St. Anthony, zealous for justice, St. Anthony, terror of infidels, St. Anthony, model of perfection, St. Anthony, consoler of the afflicted, St. Anthony, restorer of lost things, St. Anthony, defender of innocence, St. Anthony, liberator of prisoners, St. Anthony, guide of pilgrims, St. Anthony, restorer of health. St. Anthony, performer of miracles, St. Anthony, restorer of speech to the mute, St. Anthony, restorer of hearing to the deaf, St. Anthonyx restorer of sight to the blind, St. Anthony, disperser of devils, St. Anthony, reviver of the dead. St. Anthony, tamer of tyrants, From the snares of the devil, St. Anthony deliver us. From thunder, lightning and storms, St. Anthony deliver us. From all evil of body and soul, St. Anthony deliver us. Through your intercession, St. Anthony protect us. Throughout the course of life, St. Anthony protect us. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. V. St. Anthony, pray for us. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let Us Pray O my God, may the pious commemoration of St. Anthony, your Confessor and Proctor, give joy to your Church, that she may ever be strengthened with your spiritual assistance and merit to attain everlasting joy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Litany of the Saints
Lord, have mercy on us. CHRIST, have mercy on us. LORD, have mercy on us. CHRIST, hear us. CHRIST, graciously hear us. GOD, THE FATHER OF HEAVEN, have mercy on us. GOD THE SON, REDEEMER OF THE WORLD, have mercy on us. GOD THE HOLY GHOST, have mercy on us. HOLY TRINITY, ONE GOD, have mercy on us. HOLY MARY, pray for us. HOLY MOTHER OF GOD, pray for us. HOLY VIRGIN OF VIRGINS, pray for us. ST. MICHAEL, pray for us. ST. GABRIEL, pray for us. ST. RAPHAEL, pray for us. ALL YE HOLY ANGELS AND ARCHANGELS, pray for us. ALL YE HOLY ORDERS OF BLESSED SPIRITS, pray for us. ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, pray for us. ST. JOSEPH, pray for us. ALL YE HOLY PATRIARCHS AND PROPHETS, pray for us. ST. PETER, pray for us. ST. PAUL, pray for us. ST. ANDREW, pray for us. ST. JAMES, pray for us. ST. JOHN, pray for us. ST. THOMAS, pray for us. ST. JAMES, pray for us. ST. PHILIP, pray for us. ST. BARTHOLOMEW, pray for us. ST. MATTHEW, pray for us. ST. SIMON, pray for us. ST. THADDEUS, pray for us. ST. BARNABAS, pray for us. ST. LUKE, pray for us. ST. MARK, pray for us. ALL YE HOLY APOSTLES AND EVANGELIST, pray for us. ALL YE HOLY DISCIPLES OF OUR LORD, pray for us. ALL YE HOLY INNOCENTS, pray for us. ST. STEPHEN, pray for us. ST. LAWRENCE, pray for us. ST. VINCENT, pray for us. SS. FABIAN AND SEBASTIAN, pray for us. SS. JOHN AND PAUL, pray for us. SS. COSMOS AND DAMIAN, pray for us. SS. GERVASE AND PROTASE, pray for us. ALL YE HOLY MARTYRS, pray for us. ST. SYLVESTER, pray for us. ST. GREGORY, pray for us. ST. AMBROSE, pray for us. ST. AUGUSTINE, pray for us. ST. JEROME, pray for us. ST. MARTIN, pray for us. ST. NICHOLAS, pray for us. ALL YE HOLY BISHOPS AND CONFESSORS, pray for us. ALL YE HOLY DOCTORS, pray for us. ST. ANTHONY, pray for us. ST. BENEDICT, pray for us. ST. BERNARD, pray for us. ST. DOMINIC, pray for us. ST. FRANCIS, pray for us. ALL YE HOLY PRIEST AND LEVITES, pray for us. ALL YE HOLY MONKS AND HERMITS, pray for us. ST. MARY MAGDALEN, pray for us. ST. AGATHA, pray for us. ST. LUCY, pray for us. ST. AGNES, pray for us. ST. CECILIA, pray for us. ST. CATHERINE, pray for us. ST. ANASTASIA, pray for us. ALL YE HOLY VIRGINS AND WIDOWS, pray for us. ALL YE MEN AND WOMEN, SAINTS OF GOD, make intercession for us. BE MERCIFUL, spare us, O Lord! BE MERCIFUL, graciously hear us, O Lord! FROM ALL EVIL, O Lord, deliver us. FROM ALL SIN, O Lord, deliver us. FROM THY WRATH, O Lord, deliver us. FROM A SUDDEN AND UNPROVIDED DEATH, O Lord, deliver us. FROM THE DECEITS OF THE DEVIL, O Lord, deliver us. FROM ANGER, HATRED, AND ALL ILL WILL, O Lord, deliver us. FROM THE SPIRIT OF FORNICATION, O Lord, deliver us. FROM LIGHTNING AND TEMPEST, O Lord, deliver us. FROM THE SCOURGE OF EARTHQUAKE, O Lord, deliver us. FROM PESTILENCE, FAMINE, AND WAR, O Lord, deliver us. FROM EVERLASTING DEATH, O Lord, deliver us. THROUGH THE MYSTERY OF THY HOLY INCARNATION, O Lord, Deliver us. THROUGH THY COMING, O Lord, deliver us. THROUGH THY NATIVITY, O Lord, deliver us. THROUGH THY BAPTISM AND HOLY FASTING, O Lord, deliver us. THROUGH THY CROSS AND PASSION, O Lord, deliver us. THROUGH THY DEATH AND BURIAL, O Lord, deliver us. THROUGH THY HOLY RESURRECTION, O Lord, deliver us. THROUGH THINE ADMIRABLE ASCENSION, O Lord, deliver us. THROUGH THE COMING OF THE HOLY GHOST, THE PARACLETE, O Lord, deliver us. IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT, We Sinners beseech Thee, hear us. THAT THOU WOULDST SPARE US, We beseech Thee, hear us. THAT THOU WOULDST PARDON US, We beseech Thee, hear us. THAT THOU WOULDST VOUCHSAFE TO BRING US TO TRUE PENANCE, We Beseech Thee hear us. THAT THOU WOULDST VOUCHSAFE TO GOVERN AND PRESERVE THY HOLY CHURCH.... We beseech Thee, hear us. THAT THOU WOULDST VOUCHSAFE TO PRESERVE OUR APOSTOLIC PRELATE AND ALL ECCLESIASTICAL ORDERS IN HOLY RELIGION. We beseech Thee, hear us. THAT THOU WOULDST VOUCHSAFE TO HUMBLE THE ENEMIES OF THY HOLY CHURCH, We beseech Thee, hear us. THAT THOU WOULDST VOUCH SAFE TO GIVE PEACE AND TRUE CONCORD TO CHRISTIAN KINGS AND PRINCES, We beseech Thee, hear us. THAT THOU WOULDST VOUCHSAFE TO GRANT PEACE AND UNITY TO ALL CHRISTIAN PEOPLE, We beseech Thee, hear us. THAT THOU WOULDST VOUCHSAFE TO BRING BACK TO THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH ALL THOSE WHO HAVE STRAYED AWAY, AND LEAD TO THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL ALL UNBELIEVERS, We beseech Thee, hear us. THAT THOU WOULDST VOUCHSAFE TO CONFIRM AND PRESERVE US THY HOLY SERVICE, We beseech Thee, hear us. THAT THOU WOULDST LIFT UP OUR MINDS TO HEAVENLY DESIRES, We beseech Thee, hear us. THAT THOU WOULDST RENDER ETERNAL BLESSINGS TO ALL OUR BENEFACTORS, We beseech Thee, hear us. THAT THOU WOULDST DELIVER OUR SOULS AND HOSE OF OUR BRETHREN, RELATIVE, AND BENEFACTORS FROM ETERNAL DAMNATION, We beseech Thee, hear us. THAT THOU WOULDST VOUCHSAFE TO GIVE AND PRESERVE THE FRUITS OF THE EARTH, We beseech Thee, hear us. THAT THOU WOULDST VOUCHSAFE TO GIVE ETERNAL REST TO ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED, We beseech Thee,
Lorica of Saint Patrick
I arise today Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through a belief in the Threeness, Through confession of the Oneness Of the Creator of creation. I arise today Through the strength of Christ's birth and His baptism, Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial, Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension, Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom. I arise today Through the strength of the love of cherubim, In obedience of angels, In service of archangels, In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward, In the prayers of patriarchs, In preachings of the apostles, In faiths of confessors, In innocence of virgins, In deeds of righteous men. I arise today Through the strength of heaven; Light of the sun, Splendor of fire, Speed of lightning, Swiftness of the wind, Depth of the sea, Stability of the earth, Firmness of the rock. I arise today Through God's strength to pilot me; God's might to uphold me, God's wisdom to guide me, God's eye to look before me, God's ear to hear me, God's word to speak for me, God's hand to guard me, God's way to lie before me, God's shield to protect me, God's hosts to save me From snares of the devil, From temptations of vices, From every one who desires me ill, Afar and anear, Alone or in a mulitude. I summon today all these powers between me and evil, Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul, Against incantations of false prophets, Against black laws of pagandom, Against false laws of heretics, Against craft of idolatry, Against spells of women and smiths and wizards, Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul. Christ shield me today Against poison, against burning, Against drowning, against wounding, So that reward may come to me in abundance. Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me, Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me. I arise today Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through a belief in the Threeness, Through a confession of the Oneness Of the Creator of creation St. Patrick (ca. 377)
Prayer about St. Patrick
God our Father, you sent Saint Patrick to preach your glory to the people of Ireland. By the help of his prayers, may all Christians proclaim your love to all men. 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.
Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi before the Blessed Sacrament
We adore You, O Lord Jesus Christ, in this Church and all the Churches of the world, and we bless You, because, by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Prayer to Blessed Josemaria Escriva
O God, you granted countless graces to Blessed Josemaria your priest, choosing him as a most faithful instrument to found Opus Dei, a way of sanctification through daily work and the fulfilment of the ordinary duties of a Christian. Grant that I also may learn to turn all the circumstances and events of my life into occasions of loving you and of serving the Church, the Pope, and all souls, with joy and simplicity, lighting up the ways of the earth with brightness of faith and love. Deign to grant the canonization of Blessed Josemaria and through his intercession, grant me the favour I ask of you (here make your petition.) Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father. Those who obtain favours through the intercession of Blessed Josemaria are asked to notify the Office of the Vice-Postulation of Opus Dei in Canada, 1380, Pine Avenue W. Montreal (Quebec), H3G-1A8
Prayer to Saint John Bosco
O glorious Saint John Bosco, who in order to lead young people to the feet of the divine Master and to mould them in the light of faith and Christian morality didst heroically sacrifice thyself to the very end of thy life and didst set up a proper religious Institute destined to endure and to bring to the farthest boundaries of the earth thy glorious work, obtain also for us from Our Lord a holy love for young people who are exposed to so many seductions in order that we may generously spend ourselves in supporting them against the snares of the devil, in keeping them safe from the dangers of the world, and in guiding them, pure and holy, in the path that leads to God. Amen.
Prayer to St. Dymphna - Charity
You are celebrated St. Dymphna, for your goodness to others. Both in your lifetime, and even more in the ages since, you have again and again demonstrated your concern for those who are mentally disturbed or emotionally troubled. Kindly secure for me, then, some measure of your own serene love, and ask our Lord to give us a share in His life and boundless charity. Amen.
Prayer to St. Dymphna - Chastity
Most pure virgin, St. Dymphna, we live at a time when many are intent on satisfying every carnal appetite. Your single-minded dedication to Christ alone is providential and inspiring. Please help us by your power with God to see life in proportion as you did. With your aid we propose to perform all our actions for a pure motive, and promptly to resist all our evil inclinations. Amen.
Prayer to St. Dymphna - Faith
Dear St. Dymphna, you gave us an example in your own life of firm faith. Neither flattery, earthly rewards nor the threat of death caused you to waver in your fidelity to God. Please help us then, amid the uncertainties of life, to imitate your wholehearted dedication to Christ. Be good enough to come to our aid in our need, and pray for us to God. Amen.
Prayer to St. Dymphna - Fortitude
Courageous St. Dymphna, your strength was from God. His grace enabled you to resist evil, and to prefer exile to a life of sinful luxury. Christ's own power preserved you faithful to Him in life and in death. In your kindness help us to imitate your example in little things, and gain for us fortitude to bear with the misfortunes we meet, and strength to overcome our weakness. Amen.
Prayer to St. Dymphna - Hope
Good St. Dymphna, you placed all your hope in Christ's promises, and sacrificed even your life in that hope. The Lord, God, rewarded your constancy by making your name known and loved over many centuries by the thousands whom you have aided in time of difficulty. Please assist us now in our present necessity, and intercede before God for our intentions. Obtain for us a firm hope like your own in God's unfailing protection. Amen.
Prayer to St. Dymphna - Justice
Admirable St. Dymphna, how just you were to all whom you encountered, and how careful you were to give every person his due, and more than he might desire or expect. By your power with God please come to assist us to be just to all we meet, and even to be generous in giving everyone more than strict justice requires. Amen.
Prayer to St. Dymphna - Perseverance
Most faithful St. Dymphna, you remained true to your baptismal promises to the very end. You are, therefore, honored, known, and loved after 1,400 years by people you have aided all over the world. We do not know how long or short a time is left to us of this life here, but help us in any case to be faithful to God to the end. Please gain for us the grace to live one day at a time as if each were to be our last. Amen.
Prayer to St. Dymphna - Prudence
You were marked in life, St. Dymphna, by a high degree of prudence. You sought and followed the advice of your confessor and spiritual guide. You fled from temptation even when it meant exile and poverty. In your last extremity you chose to die rather than offend God. Please help us now by your merits not only to know what is right, but procure for us also the strength to do it. Amen.
Prayer to St. Dymphna - Temperance
Generous St. Dymphna, like all Christ's martyrs you gained this crowning grace because you prepared for it by a life of self denial. By faithfulness in smaller things you were ready for your final trial. Please teach us by your example and help to use the good things of life so that we may not miss our chance for life eternal. Help us, too, to watch and pray for ourselves and others. Amen.
Prayer to St. Martin de Porres
To you Saint Martin de Porres we prayerfully lift up our hearts filled with serene confidence and devotion. Mindful of your unbounded and helpful charity to all levels of society and also of your meekness and humility of heart, we offer our petitions to you. Pour out upon our families the precious gifts of your solicitous and generous intercession; show to the people of every race and every color the paths of unity and of justice; implore from our Father in heaven the coming of his kingdom, so that through mu tual benevolence in God men may increase the fruits of grace and merit the rewards of eternal life. Amen.
Prayers and Passages of St. Alphonsus De Liguori
He who prays is certain to be saved; while he who prays not is certain to be damned. All the saints were saved, and came to be saints by praying; all the accursed souls in hell were lost through neglect of prayer; if they had prayed, it is certain that they would not have been lost. And this will be one of the greatest occasions of their anguish in hell, the thought that they might have saved themselves so easily; that they had only to beg God to help them, but that now the time is past when this could avail them (from The Necessity of Prayer).
Saint Anthony of Padua
Holy Saint Anthony, gentle and powerful in your help, your love for God and charity for His creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on your word, which you were always ready to request for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I implore you to obtain for me (request). The answer to my prayer may require a miracle. Even so, you are the Saint of miracles. Gentle and loving Saint Anthony, whose heart is ever full of human sympathy, take my petition to the Infant Savior for whom you have such a great love, and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Amen.
Saint Anthony, Consoler of the Afflicted
Dear St. Anthony, comforting the sorrowful is a Christian duty and a work of mercy. By word, attitude, and deed I should try to brighten their days and make their burden easier to bear. St. Anthony, Consoler of the Afflicted, may I remember when helping someone in sorrow that I am helping Christ Himself. Kindly mention my pressing needs to Him. (Name you special intentions).
Saint Anthony, Disperser of Devils
Dear St. Anthony, it is still as St. Peter said: The devil prowls about, lion-like, looking for someone to devour. I confess that I don't always resist him; I sometimes toy with temptation. St. Anthony, Disperser of Devils, remind me of my duty to avoid all occasions of sin. May I always pray in temptation that I may remain loyal to my Lord Jesus. Pray for my other intentions, please. (Name them.)
Saint Anthony, Example of Humility
Dear St. Anthony, after all these years in the school of Christ, I still haven't learned the lesson of true humility. My feelings are easily ruffled. Quick to take offense, I am slow to forgive. St. Anthony, Example of Humility, teach me the importance and necessity of this Christian virtue. In the presence of Jesus, who humbled Himself and whom the Father exalted, remember also these special intentions of mine. (Name them.)
Saint Anthony, Generator of Charity
Dear St. Anthony, God wants us to see Christ, our brother, in everyone and love Him truly in word and in deed. God wills that we share with others the joy of His boundless love. St. Anthony, Generator of Charity, remember me in the Father's presence, that I may be generous in sharing the joy of His love. Remember also the special intentions I now entrust to you. (Name them.)
Saint Anthony, Guide of Pilgrims
Dear St. Anthony, we are all pilgrims. We came from God and we are going to Him. He who created us will welcome us at journey's end. The Lord Jesus is preparing a place for all His brothers and sisters. St. Anthony, Guide of Pilgrims, direct my steps in the straight path. Protect me until I am safely home in heaven. Help me in all my needs and difficulties. (Name them.)
Saint Anthony, Liberator of Prisoners
Dear St. Anthony, I am imprisoned by walls of selfishness, prejudice, suspicion. I am enslaved by human respect and the fear of other people's opinions of me. St. Anthony, Liberator of Prisoners, tear down my prison walls. Break the chains that hold me captive. Make me free with the freedom Christ has won for me. To your powerful intercession I also recommend these intentions. (Name them.)
Saint Anthony, Martyr of Desire
Dear St. Anthony, you became a Franciscan with the hope of shedding your blood for Christ. In God's plan for you, your thirst for martyrdom was never to be satisfied. St. Anthony, Martyr of Desire, pray that I may become less afraid to stand up and be counted as a follower of the Lord Jesus. Intercede also for my other intentions. (Name them.)
Saint Anthony, Model of Perfection
Dear St. Anthony, you took the words of Jesus seriously, "Be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect." The Church honors you as a Christian hero, a man wholly dedicated to God's glory and the good of the redeemed. St. Anthony, Model of Perfection, ask Jesus to strengthen my good dispositions and to make me more like you, more like Him. Obtain for me the other favors I need. (Name them.)
Saint Anthony, Performer of Miracles
Dear St. Anthony, your prayers obtained miracles during your lifetime. You still seem to move at ease in the realm of minor and major miracles. St. Anthony, Performer of Miracles, please obtain for me the blessings God holds in reserve who serve Him. Pray that I may be worthy of the promises my Lord Jesus attaches to confident prayer. (Mention your special intentions.)
Saint Anthony, Restorer of Sight to the Blind
Dear St. Anthony, you recall the Gospel episode about the blind man who, partly healed, could see men "looking like walking trees." After a second laying-on of Jesus's hands, he could see perfectly. St. Anthony, Restorer of Sight to the Blind, please sharpen my spiritual vision. May I see people, not as trees or numbers, but as sons and daughters of the Most High. Help me in my pressing needs. (Name your special intentions.)
Saint Anthony, Restorer of Speech to the Mute
Dear St. Anthony, how tongue-tied I can be when I should be praising God and defending the oppressed. My cowardice often strikes me dumb; I am afraid to open my mouth. St. Anthony, Restorer of Speech to the Mute, release me from my fears. Teach me to praise God and to champion the rights of those unjustly treated. Please remember also all my intentions. (Name them.)
Saint Anthony, Zealous for Justice
Dear St. Anthony, you were prompt to fulfill all justice. You gave God and His creation the service He required from you. You respected other people's rights and treated them with kindness and understanding. St. Anthony, Zealous for Justice, teach me the beauty of this virtue. Make me prompt to fulfill all justice toward God and toward all creation. Help me also in my pressing needs. (Name them.)
Saint Dymphna
Lord, our God, you graciously chose St. Dymphna as patroness of those afflicted with mental and nervous disorders. She is thus an inspiration and a symbol of charity to the thousands who ask her intercession. Please grant, Lord, through the prayers of this pure youthful martyr, relief and consolation to all suffering such trials, and especially those for whom we pray. (Here mention those for whom you wish to pray). We beg you, Lord, to hear the prayers of St. Dymphna on our behalf. Grant all those for whom we pray patience in their sufferings and resignation to your divine will. Please fill them with hope, and grant them the relief and cure they so much desire. We ask this through Christ our Lord who suffered agony in the garden. Amen.
Saint Jude
Most holy Apostle St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor who delivered the beloved Master into the hands of His enemies has caused you to be forgotten by many, but the Church honors and invokes you universally as the patron of hopeless cases, of things despaired of. Pray for me who am so miserable; make use, I implore you, of this particular privilege accorded to you, to bring visible and speedy help, where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need, that I may receive the consolations and succor of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations and sufferings, particularly (here make your request), and that I may bless God with you and all the elect forever. I promise you, O blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, and I will never cease to honor you as my special and powerful patron and to do all in my power to encourage devotion to you. Amen. OR St. Jude, glorious Apostle, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor has caused you to be forgotten by many, but the true Church invokes you universally as the Patron of things despaired of; pray for me, that finally I may receive the consolations and the succor of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly (here make your request), and that I may bless God with the Elect throughout Eternity. Amen.
Saint Romuald, Abbot
Father, through Saint Romuald you renewed the life of solitude and prayer in your Church. By our self-denial as we follow Christ bring us the joy of heaven. 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.
St. Alphonsus De Liguori to Jesus Christ, to Obtain His Holy Love
My crucified Love, my dear Jesus! I believe in Thee, and confess Thee to be the true Son of God and my Saviour. I adore Thee from the abyss of my own nothingness, and I thank Thee for the death Thou didst suffer for me, that I might obtain the life of divine grace. My beloved Redeemer, to Thee I owe all my salvation. Through Thee I have hitherto escaped hell; through Thee have I received the pardon of my sins. But I am so ungrateful, that, instead of loving Thee, I have repeated my offenses against Thee. I deserve to be condemned, so as not to be able to love Thee any more: but no, my Jesus, punish me in any other way, but not in this. If I have not loved Thee in times past, I love Thee now; and I desire nothing but to love Thee with all my heart. But without Thy help I can do nothing. Since Thou dost command me to love Thee, give me also the strength to fulfil this Thy sweet and loving precept. Thou hast promised to grant all that we ask of Thee: You shall ask whatever you will and it shall be done unto you. Confiding, then, in this promise, my dear Jesus, I ask, first of all, pardon of all my sins; and I repent, above all things, because I have offended Thee, O Infinite Goodness! I ask for holy perseverence in Thy grace till my death. But, above all, I ask for the gift of Thy holy love. Ah, my Jesus, my Hope, my Love, my All, inflame me with that love which Thou didst come on earth to enkindle! "Tui amoris me ignem accende." For this end, make me always live in conformity with Thy holy will. Enlighten me, that I may understand more and more how worthy Thou art of our love, and that I may know the immense love Thou hast borne me, especially in giving Thy life for me. Grant, then, that I may love Thee with all my heart, and may love Thee always, and never cease to beg of Thee the grace to love Thee in this life; that, living always and dying in Thy love, I may come one day to love Thee with all my strength in heaven, never to leave off loving Thee for all eternity. O Mother of beautiful love, my advocate and refuge, Mary, who art of all creatures the most beautiful, the most loving, and the most beloved of God, and whose only desire it is to see him loved! ah, by the love thou bearest to Jesus Christ, pray for me, and obtain for me the grace to love him always, and with all my heart! This I ask and hope for from thee. Amen.
St. Blase
O glorious Saint Blase, who by thy martyrdom has left to the Church a precious witness to the faith, obtain for us the grace to preserve within ourselves this divine gift, and to defend, without human respect, both by word and example, the truth of that same faith, which is so wickedly attacked and slandered in these our times. Thou who didst miraculously cure a little child when it was at the point of death by reason of an affliction of the throat, grant us thy powerful protection in like misfortunes; and, above all, obtain for us the grace of Christian mortification together with a faithful observance of the precepts of the Church, which may keep us from offending Almighty God. Amen.
St. Theresa of the Child Jesus
O wondrous Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus, who, in thy brief earthly life, didst become a mirror of angelic purity, of courageous love and of whole-hearted surrender to Almighty God, now that thou art enjoying the reward of thy virtues, turn thine eyes of mercy upon us who trust in thee. Obtain for us the grace to keep our hearts and minds pure and clean like unto thine, and to detest in all sincerity whatever might tarnish ever so slightly the luster of a virtue so sublime, a virtue that endears us to they heavenly Bridegroom. Ah, dear Saint, grant us to feel in every need the power of thy intercession; give us comfort in all the bitterness of this life and especially at its latter end, that we may be worthy to share eternal happiness with thee in paradise. Amen. V. Pray for us, O blessed Theresa, R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. LET US PRAY O Lord, who has said: "Unless you become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven"; grant us, we beseech Thee, so to walk in the footsteps of thy blessed Virgin Theresa with a humble and single heart, that we may attain to everlasting rewards: Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
The Blessing of St. Francis of Assisi to Brother Leo
The Lord bless you and keep you. May He show His face to you and have mercy. May He turn His countenance to you and give you peace. The Lord bless you!
The Meditation Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
My God and My All!
To Saint Anne
Good St. Anne, you were especially favored by God to be the mother of the most holy Virgin Mary, the Mother of our Savior. By your power with your most pure daughter and with her divine Son, kindly obtain for us the grace and the favor we now seek. Please secure for us also forgiveness of our past sins, the strength to perform faithfully our daily duties and the help we need to persevere in the love of Jesus and Mary. Amen.
Unfailing Prayer to St. Anthony
"Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints" O Holy St. Anthony, gentlest of Saints, your love for God and Charity for His creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Encouraged by this thought, I implore you to obtain for me (request). O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms; and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Amen.
A Random Prayer...
A Prayer to the North American Martyrs (Feast, September 26)
Dear Saints Isaac Jogues, John Brebeuf, Noel Chabanel, Gabriel Lalemant, Anthony Daniel, Charles Garnier, Rene Goupil and John Lalande, we beg of you, pray for the people of this vast country ours. You are the first canonized saints of the United States and Canada. We are glad to have you. We are happy to honor you. You know our country and its needs, and we know you are in heaven praying for us. There is one very special favor we wish to ask of you. Dear Saints of North America, pray God to send us another saint, or better still, a number of them. Ask Him to have soon--a man or a woman, a boy or a girl from this country of ours raised to the honors of the altar. Let it be a farmer or a laborer, a housewife or a schoolboy, born and bred in these United States. Let it be some one who lived his whole life here--a Saint Joseph of Carville County, or a Saint Mary of Middletown, or a Saint William of New York. We do not wish to displace you in our affections, but to add to your glorious number. You understand our desires in this, and we feel sure that we will obtain this great blessing for the salvation of the people of this land. Remember us now, and obtain this great blessing for us from God. Help us always to cooperate with the graces that God so richly and generously gives us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
more prayers...