Favorite prayers from St. Philomena parishioners

When Fr. Dennis Kleinweber was pastor at St. Philomena Parish in East Cleveland, he asked parishioners to submit some of their favorite prayers. He compiled these into a booklet in 1995 and they are now posted here.

As Father Dennis said, "These prayers have special meaning to those who contributed them. It is our hope that they bring inspiration into your life."

Lord, be my eyes so I may recognize you in all I meet.
Be my ears so that I may hear the faintest call for help and understanding.
Be my voice so that I may be lavish in praise, compliments and gratitude.
And please shut me up before I disedify with words that cause pain.
Increase humility in me to accept my weakness and turn to You with problems.
With you working in me, it will be a good day.

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.
Miracles waited on your word which you were ever ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety.

Encourage by this thought I implore of you to obtain for me (request).

The answer to my prayers may require a miracle; even so you are the St. of Miracles.

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 forever be yours.
Amen.

O Child Jesus, I have recourse to Thee by Thy Holy Mother; I implore Thee to assist me in this necessity, for I firmly believe that Thy Divinity can assist me.

I confidently hope to obtain Thy holy grace.
I love Thee with my whole heart and my whole soul.
I am heartily sorry for my sins, and entreat Thee, O good Jesus, to give me strength to overcome them.

I am firmly resolved never to offend Thee again and to suffer everything rather than displease Thee.
Henceforth, I wish to serve Thee faithfully.

For Love of Thee, O divine Child, I will love my neighbor as myself.
O Jesus, omnipotent Child, I entreat Thee again to come to my assistance in this necessity.

(Make your request)

Grant me the grace of possessing Thee eternally with Mary and Joseph, and of adoring Thee with Thy Holy Angels and Saints.
Amen.

Bless our home, Father that we cherish the bread before there is none, discover each other before we leave, and enjoy each other for what we are while we have time.

O God, the Apostle Saint Jude Thaddeus was a faithful servant and friend of your Son and our Lord, Jesus Christ. His name has been forgotten by many because of the name of the traitor who delivered our beloved Master into the hands of the enemies.

But your Church honors him and invokes his intercession universally as the patron of those in difficulty who have found no other help. Grant that through Saint Jude's intercession we may know your will for us, have the strength to do it, and enjoy the consolation of your Holy Spirit as well as your blessings in time and eternity.

Heavenly Father, may Saint Jude intercede for us in all our necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly

[HERE MAKE YOUR NEEDS KNOWN].

With him and all the saints may we praise you with your Son and Holy Spirit forever. Amen.

Saint Jude Thaddeus, pray for us. And for all who invoke your aid.

Lord God, we thank you for the gift of family. We acknowledge that our image and name as family come from You. We believe that within our family lies a home-made holiness. We affirm that it is in this household of faith that we experience Your presence, Your forgiveness, and Your love.

We are family. We give thanks to You, for the many joys and blessings that have come to us through our family.

As Family, we sometimes feel pain. And so we offer to You our disappointments, frustrations and hurts. Help us to forgive those members of our family, including ourselves, who have caused pain. We pray for the strength to be a light within our family.

May we open our hearts, our eyes and ears and carry our light to those in need. God, Creator of the earth and all its people, help us to be mindful that, as members of one global family, we are equal in Your eyes.

Help us to continue to appreciate the diversity of persons in our homes and in our world.

As members equal in human dignity, may we build a better world and proclaim our willingness to be the holy people You call us to be. Amen.

Dear St. Francis, Lover of all God's creatures, Protector of nature. Please watch over our pets.

They give us so much companionship and teach us to care for those who cannot take care of themselves.

They help the lonely and teach us many lessons of God's inclusive love. St. Francis, pray for them. Amen.

"...there is nothing on earth more salutary than to suffer with the good God and to carry with Him the cross of privation. In one sense it is rather hard, but in another sense it is a thousand times more heroic, a thousand times more holy and salutary than being cured; it is much preferable because it leads to Heaven and greatly helps us to avoid sin and to resemble Jesus Christ.

I, for my part, have not the slightest desire to be delivered from the holy and sanctifying infirmity which our Lord in His adorable mercy deigned to send me."

O Jesus, who has said, "Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you" through the intercession of Mary, Thy most holy Mother, I knock, I seek, I ask that my prayer be granted.

(Make your request)

O Jesus, who has said, "All that you ask of the Father in My Name, He will grant you," through the intercession of Mary, Thy most holy Mother, I humbly and urgently ask Thy Father in Thy Name that my prayer be granted.

(Make your request)

O Jesus, who has said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away but My word shall not pass," through the intercession of Mary, Thy most holy Mother, I feel confident that my prayer will be granted.

(Make your request)

(To be said at the same time every hour for nine consecutive hours - for just one day.)

God: Father, Son and Spirit. You created us to love and gave us to a family to be loved by, and to love. Bring us closer to You and to each other, so that there can be more caring and sharing, more healing and helping, more loving and giving.

Help us to realize anew each day that we belong - that we belong to a family whether it is large or small, young or old, good or bad, whole or fragmented, together or apart, happy or sad, close or distant

You have said that whenever we are gathered in Your Name, You would be present. We are gathered in spirit, in Your Name. Bless us and help us always to pray for each other in love God, I pray now for my family and for all families of the earth.

Bring us closer to You and to each other in love, strength, courage, and forgiveness. Give us love and understanding; give us an ever-deeper encounter with You and each other in prayer and presence; give us a tremendous sense of our vocation and mission to bring You to our everyday world, both as individuals and as a family; and give us the gift of commitment to You (along with others) in the building of a God-centered family and society.

Through our family prayer, in whatever form it takes, let us enter into a covenant with You that will bring about an attitude which will draw us into a closer union with You, and into love and service of each other. Turn to us and give our families Your peace. Amen.

O sweet and gentle Lady, Immaculate Mother of God, we choose thee this day to be the Mistress and Lady of this house. Guard it, dear Mother from pestilence, fire, lightning, and tempests; from schisms and heresies, from plunderings of burglars and the malice of enemies.

Protect its inmates, Sweet Mary. Watch over their going out and coming in, and preserve them from a sudden and unprovided death. Keep us from all sins and harm and pray for us to God, that we may live in His service and depart this life in His grace.

Father, grant that I may be a bearer of Christ Jesus, your Son. Allow me to warm the often cold, impersonal scene of modern life with your burning love. Strengthen me by your Holy Spirit to carry out my mission of changing the world or some definite part of it for the better.

Despite my lamentable failures, bring home to me that my advantages are your blessings to be shared with others.

Make me more energetic in setting right what I find wrong with the world instead of complaining about it.

Nourish in me a practical desire to build up rather than tear down, to reconcile instead of polarize, to go out on a limb rather than crave security.

Never let me forget that it is far better to light one candle than to curse the darkness, and to join my light, one day, with yours.
Amen.

Oh Lord, in my present need, help me to believe that you are aware of my anxiety and will to do what is best for me.

Give me the strength to trust You and to put the present and future in Your merciful hands. Grant this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

Most Holy Trinity, you who gave us Saint Michael of the Saints as trusted friend and intercessor, and as patron of those afflicted with cancer, look with kindness on your servants who this day invoke his name Through his intercession, comfort those in distress, confirm those in doubt.

Satisfy our spiritual needs from the treasury of your grace. Remember all those who call on your help but be especially solicitous of...

Restore health to this person and to all who are sick. Sanctify those who endure pain with Christlike acceptance and grant to all of us a just reward in the life of glory to come.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen

O Jesus, Eternal Priest, keep all Thy priests within the shelter of Thy Sacred Heart, where none may harm them. Keep unstained their anointed hands which daily touch Thy Sacred Body.

Keep unsullied their lips purpled with Thy Precious Blood. Keep pure and unearthly their hearts sealed with the sublime marks of Thy glorious priesthood.

Let Thy 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 have ministered be here below their joy and consolation and in Heaven their beautiful and everlasting crown. Amen.

O Mary, Queen of the clergy, pray for us; obtain for us a number of holy priests.

Most holy apostle, St. Jude faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally, as the patron of hopeless cases, of things almost despaired of. Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone.

Make use I implore you, of that particular privilege given 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 consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly -

(Here make your request)

and that I may praise God with you and all the elect forever. I promise, O blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen.

Lord, You invite all who are burdened to come to You. Allow Your healing hand to heal me. Touch my soul with Your compassion for others.

Touch my heart with Your courage and infinite love for all.

Touch my mind with Your wisdom, that my mouth may always proclaim Your praise.

Teach me to reach out to You in my need, and help me to lead others to You by my example.

Most loving Heart of Jesus, bring me health in body and spirit that I may serve You with all my strength. Touch gently this life which You have created, now and forever. Amen.

Take from me selfishness, softness, delicacy, cowardice and fear; give me a spirit of endurance, of firmness and courage, a love of labor and of the cross, of silence and charity, that I may be willing to spend and to be spent for the sanctification of souls.

O most holy heart of Jesus, Fountain of all good, I adore Thee, I love Thee, and being deeply sorry for my sins, I offer Thee this, my poor heart. Make it humble, patient, pure and in all things conformed to Thy desires.

Grant O good Jesus, that Imay live in Thee and for Thee. Protect me in dangers, console me in my afflictions, give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs, Thy blessings in all my undertakings and the grace of a holy death.

Take your troubles to God, pour out your soul to the divine mystery, wait attentively, and you will never lack for wonder. You will often, indeed regularly, find your perspective restored.

You will gladly confess that, much more than you deserve, there comes over you an unearthly peace, at times even a taste of heavenly joy.

I am no mystic, but even I can sign my name to this declaration. The mystery never fails to nourish and heal me. I know that my spirit has been made to contemplate it, to love it as the central reality and treasure of my being. It is my lever for moving the world.

Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord. Lord hear my voice. Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities: Lord, who shall stand it. For with thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of thy law, I have waited for thee, O Lord.

My soul hath relied on his word: My soul hath hoped in the Lord. From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. Because with the Lord there Is mercy: and with him is plentiful redemption.

And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the most precious blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus. In union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home, and within my family.

(Releases one thousand souls from purgatory each time it is said.)

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked You for many favors but I plead for this one. Take it, place it in Your open, broken Heart, and when the Eternal Father sees it covered with the mantle of Your most Precious Blood, He will not refuse it. It is not my prayer but Yours.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee. Let me think only of Thee. Amen.

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight in Bethlehem in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, O My God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.

(To be said fifteen times a day from Nov. 3Oth to Christmas.)

O faithful virgin and glorious martyr, St. Philomena, who works so many miracles on behalf of the poor and sorrowing, have pity on me.

Thou knowest the multitude and diversity of my needs. Behold me at thy feet, full of misery, but full of hope. I entreat thy charity, O great saint! Graciously hear me and obtain from God a favorable answer to the request which I now humbly lay before thee.

(Here specify your petition.)

I am firmly convinced that through thy merits, through the scorn, the sufferings, the death thou didst endure, united to the merits of the Passion and Death of Jesus, thy Spouse, I shall obtain what I ask of thee, and in the joy of my heart I will bless God, who is admirable in His saints. Amen.

Take my hand O Blessed Mother, Hold me. firmly lest I fall; I am nervous when I'm walking And on thee I humbly call.

Guide me over every crossing, Watch me when I'm on the stairs, Let me know, you are beside me, Listen to my fervent prayers.

Bring me to my destination, Safely every single day, Help me with my undertaking, As the hours pass away.

And when evening falls upon us, And I fear to be alone, Take my hand O Blessed Mother, Once again and lead me home.

Lord God you chose St. Dynphna as patron of those afflicted with mental and emotional disorders. You made her a sign of hope for all who ask your aid. Grant then through the powers of this young martyr relief for all those who suffer especially for those for whom I now pray

Kindly accept the prayers of St. Dymphna for us. Give us patience in our pain and fill us with the hope for the relief we seek in the name of Christ our Lord. Amen.

Queen of the most holy Rosary, in these times of such brazen impiety, manifest thy power with the signs of thine ancient victories, and from thy throne, whence thou dost dispense pardon and graces, mercifully regard the Church of thy Son, His Vicar on earth, and every order of clergy and laity who are sore oppressed in the mighty conflict.

Do thou, who art the powerful vanquisher of all heresies, hasten the hour of mercy, even though the hour of God's justice is every day provoked by the countless sins of men.

For me who am the least of men, kneeling before thee in supplication, do thou obtain the grace I need to live righteously upon earth and to reign among the just in heaven.

While in company with all the Christians of the world, I salute and proclaim thee as Queen of the Most Holy Rosary.

Holy Mary, help those in need, give strength to the weak, comfort the sorrowful, pray for God's people, assist the clergy, intercede for religious.

May all who seek your help, experience your unfailing protection. Amen.

O Holy spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore you. Enlighten, guide and console me. Tell me what I must do; give me your orders.

I promise to subject myself to all that you desire of me and to accept all that you permit to happen to me. Let me only know your will.

We seem to give them back to Thee, O God, Who gavest them to us...Yet as Thou didst not lose them in giving, so do we not lose them by their return. Not as the world giveth, givest Thou O Lover of souls.

What Thou givest, Thou takest not away, for what is Thine is ours also if we are Thine. And life is eternal and love is immortal, and death is only an horizon, and an horizon is nothing, save the limit of our sight.

Lift us up, strong Son of God that we may see further - cleanse our eyes that we may see more clearly - - draw us closer to Thyself that we may know ourselves to be nearer to our loved ones.who are with Thee.

And while Thou dost prepare a place for us, prepare us also for that happy place, that where Thou art we may also be forevermore.

O God, Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of our departed loved ones, the remission of all their sins, that by means of our sacrifices and prayers on their behalf, they may obtain the joys of heaven, which they have earnestly desired. We ask this through Christ the Lord.

God of the silent dead, Living God of the living, Who calls to me through silence, O God of those who are silently summoning me to enter into your Life, never let me forget my dead or my living. May my love and faithfulness to them be a pledge of my belief in you, the God of Eternal Life.

O Lord punish me in this life. Cut, break off, but deliver me from eternal punishment. Mary, Mother of Mercy, Mother of Grace, shield me from the enemy and receive me at the hour of my death.

Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our defense 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, thrust into Hell Satan and the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

O Saint Philomena, Virgin and Martyr, Whom God glorifies by so many miracles, whom the Vicar of Jesus Christ has named the Protectress of The Living Rosary and the Children of Mary, manifest, more and more plainly from the heights of Heaven, that a voice holy as thine cannot be denied and that we have the right to rely upon thine aid. Obtain for us the grace to be faithful to Jesus Christ, even to death.

Lord Jesus, make me an instrument of your peace

Where there is hatred, Let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon

Where there is doubt, faith

Where there is despair, hope

Where there is darkness, light

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love;

for it is in pardoning that we are pardoned and it is dying that we are born to eternal life.

Of all the apostolates open to all of us the most effective, the most far-reaching, the most consoling is Kindness.

Kindness is one of God's best gifts to the world. It drives gloom and darkness from souls. It puts hope into fainting hearts. It sweetens sorrow. It lessens pain. It discovers unsuspected beauties of human character.

It calls forth a response from all that is best in souls. It purifies, glorifies, ennobles, all that it touches. It opens the flood-gates of childrens' laughter. It gathers the tears of repentant love.

It lightens the burden of weariness. It stops the torrent of angry passion. It takes the sting from failure. It kindles courageous ambition. It lifts the unfortunate. It leads back the wayward. It walks in the steps of Our Savior.

Let us become apostles of kindness to partake of its sweetness, to aspire to its holiness. The apostolate of kindness is exalted; it is sublime; It is Christlike.

In every need, let me come to You with humble trust saying: Jesus, help me!

In all my doubts, perplexities, and temptations: Jesus, help me!

In hours of loneliness, weariness, and trials: Jesus, help me!

In failures, disappointments, troubles, and sorrows: Jesus, help me!

When others fail me, and I need Your grace: Jesus, help me!

When I am impatient and my cross irritates me: Jesus, help me!

Always, in spite of my weakness, falls and shortcomings of every kind Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, help me and never forsake me.

Pardon me, for having run the risk, By my sins, of loosing Thee for eternity. I love Thee, and wish to love Thee Throughout eternity.

O great Saint Perigrine you who have been called "The Mighty," "The Wonder Worker" because of the numerous miracles which you have obtained from God for those who had recourse you, you who for so many years bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fiber of our being, And who had recourse to the source of all grace when the power of man could do no more; you who were favored with the vision of Jesus coming down from His Cross to heal your affliction.

Ask of God and Our Lady, the cure of these sick persons whom we entrust to you...

Aided in this way by your powerful intercession, we shall sing to God, now and for all eternity, a song of gratitude for His goodness and mercy.

Act in me O Holy Spirit That my work, too, may be holy;

Draw my heart O Holy Spirit That I love but what is holy;

Strengthen me O Holy Spirit To defend all that is holy;

Guard me then O Holy Spirit That I always may be holy.

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world, now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us, St. Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude help of the hopeless, pray for us.

(With your intentions, say this prayer nine times a day. On the eighth day your prayer will be answered. Publication or circulation must be promised.)

Happiness in the face of pain, this is consolation. The Holy Ghost is called the "Consoler" for He imparts to our souls a happiness compatible with the grief of our exile upon earth. Christian life does not suppress suffering, but rather implies it.

Our hearts are not purified completely except through suffering and sacrifice. The Holy Ghost has given Himself to us; our soul is His temple; we possess Him. He is the pledge of our inheritance.

We rejoice in our hope of eternal life for we carry within us the guarantee of its fulfillment. Perfect happiness does not consist in speaking all languages, nor in accomplishing great deeds, nor even in converting infidels to the Faith; perfect happiness consists in suffering much for the blessed Christ Who willed to suffer so much for us.

The Holy Ghost knows our smallness and understands what each one of us has to suffer.

Sweetly He answers our needs; we carry in our heart an image of that Heart of Jesus Christ, and joy and pain can exist together within us, united by the golden ring of Love.

Blessed, most pure Virgin, you chose to manifest yourself shining with life, sweetness and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes. To the child, St. Bernadette you revealed yourself. "I am the Immaculate Conception."

And now Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy, Healer of the Sick, Comforter of the Afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings. Look upon me with mercy.

By your appearance in the Grotto of Lourdes, it became a privileged sanctuary from which you dispense your favors. Many have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and physical.

I come, therefore, with confidence in your maternal intercession. Obtain for me, O loving Mother, this special request....

Our Lady of Lourdes, Mother of Christ, pray for me. Obtain from your Divine Son my special request if it be God's will. Amen.

Lovely Lady dressed in blue-Teach me how to pray!
God was just your little Boy, Tell me what to say!

Did you lift Him up, sometimes, Gently, on your knee?
Did you sing to Him the way, Mother does to me?

Did you hold His hand at night? Did you ever try Telling stories of the world?
O! And did He cry?

Do you really think He cares If I tell Him things-Little things that happen?
And Do the Angel's wings Make a noise?

And can He hear Me if I speak low? Does He understand me now?
Tell me-for you know?

Lovely Lady dressed in blue, Teach me how to pray!
God was just your little Boy, And you know the way.

May it be deeply contemplative, intensely eucharistic and vibrant with joy. Help us to stay together in joy and sorrow through family prayer.

Teach us to see Jesus in the members of our family especially in their distressing disguise. May the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus make our hearts meek and humble like His and help us to carry out our family duties in a holy way.

May we love one another as God loves each one of us more and more each day, and forgive each other's faults as You forgive our sins. Help us, O loving Father to take whatever You give and to give whatever you take with a big smile.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, cause of our joy, Pray for us. St. Joseph, pray for us. Holy Guardian Angels be always with us, guide and protect us. Amen.

My Jesus, my Friend, walk with me today. Hand, in hand, guide me to learn and to know what is good. Arm in arm, help me to grow in my faith and in love for others. Side by side, stay by me to protect me and show me Your ways. Heart to heart, help me pray...and to be all that you want me to be. Thank You, Jesus for the special love you have for me. Amen.

Thank you, God, for sending Jesus to us. When He was young as we are, He was a holy child. Lord, help us to be like Jesus, missionaries who always share with people who need our help.

Let our prayer make today easier for cold, hungry children; let it bring strength and courage to the missionaries who love and help them. Be with all of us, today and forever. Amen

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you all my sufferings of this day, For all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart.

In union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, In reparation for all my sins, for the intentions of all our associates, and in particular, for the intention of our Holy Father. Amen.

Heavenly Father, walk with me today, and grant that I may hear your footsteps and gladly follow where they lead.

Talk with me today and grant that I may hear your tender voice, and quicken to its counsel.

Stay with me today and grant that I may feel your gentle presence in all I do, say and think.

Be my strength when I weaken, my courage when I fear.

Help me to know that it is your hand holding mine through all the hours of this day.

And when night falls, grant that I may know I rest in your Sacred Heart.

(Make your request).

We also offer our prayers for your special intentions in thanksgiving for: Your love, Your grace, Your blessings, Your gifts, our health, for peace, Your mercy, Your patience, Your understanding and Your faithfulness.

We thank you. Take from us the affliction and despair, the trails and misfortunes with which we are laden. For the sake of Thy Sacred Infancy hear our prayers and send us consolation and aid that we may praise Thee with the Father and the Holy Ghost, forever and ever.

It is good for us to be with the Lord God, Infant Jesus of the Sacred Heart, in whom we have found our hope, our peace and freedom from all our fears.

Please continue to bless and protect us, and obtain for us from Thy Almighty Father, and the Holy Ghost, all heavenly and earthly blessings. Amen.

"Take thought now, redeemed man, and consider how great and worthy is he who hangs on the cross for you....It was a divine decree that permitted one of the soldiers to open his scared side with a lance. This was done so that the Church might be formed from the side of Christ as he slept the sleep of death on the cross, and so that the Scripture might be fulfilled: 'They shall look on him whom they pierced.'

The blood and water which poured out at that moment were the price of our salvation. Flowing from the secret abyss of our Lord's heart as from a fountain. This stream gave the sacraments of the Church the power to confer the life of grace, while for those already living in Christ it became a spring of living water welling up to life everlasting."

"Arise, then beloved of Christ! Run with eager desire to this source of life and light, all you who are vowed to God's Service. Come, whoever you may be, and cry out to him with all the strength of your heart; O' indescribable beauty of the most high God and purest radiance of eternal light!

Eternal and inaccessible fountain, clear and sweet stream flowing from a hidden spring, unseen by mortal eye!

From you flows the river which gladdens the City of God and makes us cry out with Joy and Thanksgiving in hymns of praise to you, for we know by our own experience that with you is the source of life, and in your Light we see Light."

God give us the serenity of spirit to accept their need to grow as individuals within the framework of their family ethic.

God give us the patience required to guide them through the difficult age of adolescence.

God give us the ability to convey with the courage of example the manifest benefits inherent in a devoted conjugal love.

God help us to practice our faith and live our ideals in sufficiency to inspire them to a meaningful relationship with you.

I will depend on God alone; I will put my hope in him. He alone protects and saves me; he is my defender, and I shall never be defeated.

My salvation and honor depend on God: he is my strong protector; he is my shelter. I will trust in God at all times. I will tell him my troubles for he is my refuge. Amen.

O Little Therese of the Child Jesus, please pick for me a rose from the heavenly gardens and send it to me as a message of love.

O Little Flower of Jesus, ask God today to grant the favors I now place with confidence in your hands...

(Mention specific requests)

St. Therese, help me to always believe as you did, in God's great love for me, so that I might imitiate your "Little Way" each day. Amen.

Lord, let me know clearly the work which You are calling me to do in life. And grant me every grace I need to answer Your call with courage and love and lasting dedication to Your will. Amen.

O Divine Child of Prague, and still the great omnipotent God, I implore through Thy Most Holy Mother's most powerful intercession and through the boundless mercy of Thy omnipotence as God, for a favorable answer to the intention I so earnestly ask for in this Novena. O Divine Child of Prague, hear my prayer and grant my petition.

(Say Three Times) (Our Father and Hail Mary - Once)

Soul of Christ, sanctify me; Body of Christ, save me; Blood of Christ, inebriate me; Water from the side of Christ, 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 the malignant enemy, defend me; In the hour of my death, call me; And bid me come to Thee, That, with Thy Saints, I may praise Thee Forever and ever. Amen.

I said a prayer for you today And know God must have heard-I felt the answer in my heart Although he spoke no word!

I didn't ask for wealth or fame (I knew you wouldn't mind)-I asked Him to send treasures Of a far more lasting kind!

I asked that He'd be near you At the start of each new day

To grant you health and blessings And friends to share your way!

I asked for happiness for you In all things great and small

But it was for His loving care I prayed the most of all!

Lead us, with all our brothers and sister towards communion in faith, life and witness so that, united in one body by the one Spirit, we may together witness to the perfect unity of your love. Amen

Faithful Friend with morning light - The vigil ends you keep at night,
while I lie witless on my bed, assimilated to the dead.

But 'thou your vigil ends with dawn, your vigilance continues on.
At night you watch, you guard by day, and lead and guide me on my way.

You hovered near at my first breath and you will close my eyes in death
And then I hope when life is past, to see you, Faithful Friend at last

Lord, where are you? Lord, are you watching? Watch over me. Hold me in your arms and never let me go. I say no!

Hold me tightly and shine down on me brightly. Watch over me. Let no evil appear on my door step 'fore I'll always call you for help Lord are you watching? Watch over me. And never let me go.

Father, all-powerful and everliving God, we offer you thanks and praise. You are the source of all life; you are life's reason for being and all life is a sign of your presence.

Human life is marked with your image and from you derives its dignity and destiny. Human life is bathed in the mystery of your Son: it is precious because of His Incarnation, redeemed because of His Death and Resurrection, and called to eternity because of His Glorification.

By the gift of the Holy Spirit, human life grows in freedom, develops in the community of faith, and attains its end in response to grace. Human life is the most perfect expression of the divine on this earth. Gracious Father, look with love upon your people. We are gathered to renew our respect for life, to discover afresh its sacredness, and to recommit ourselves to its protection.

We pray, Father, for those who would harm or destroy this life in any form and in any way. We pray for their conversion and our reconciliation to them.

Enlightened by your Word, and guided by the teachings of the Church, may we see the awesome truths and lofty ideals that inspire us to witness to a kingdom of truth and life, of holiness and grace, to a kingdom of justice, of love and of peace.

We stand united, with all people of good will on this earth, and the company of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints.

With them we join in an unending acclamation of praise, as we sing: Holy, Holy, Holy...Lord God of Hosts. Heaven and Earth are Full of Your Glory. Blessed is He Who Comes in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the Highest

Blessed are they who understand My faltering step and palsied hand.

Blessed are they who know that my ears today Must strain to catch the things they say.

Blessed are they who seem to know That my eyes are dim and my wits are slow.

Blessed are they who looked away When coffee spilled at the table today.

Blessed are they with a cheery smile Who stop to chat for a little while.

Blessed are they who never say, "You've told that story twice today."

Blessed are they who know the ways To bring back memories of yesterdays.

Blessed are they who make it known That I'm loved, repected and not alone.

Blessed are they who know I'm at a loss To find the strength to carry the Cross.

Blessed are they who ease the days On my journey Home in loving ways.

All-nourishing God, your children cry for help against the violence of our world: Where children starve for bread and feed on weapons; Starve for vision and feed on drugs; Starve for love and feed on videos; Starve for peace and die murdered in our streets.

Creator God, Timeless preserver of resources, Forgive us for the gifts that we have wasted. Renew for us what seems beyond redemption; Call order and beauty to emerge again from chaos.

Convert our destructive power into creative service; Help us to heal the woundedness of our world. Liberating God, release us from- the demons of violence. Free us today from the disguised demons of deterrence that puts guns by our pillows and missiles in our skies. Free us from all demons that blind and blunt our spirits;

Cleanse us from all justifications for violence and war; Open our narrowed hearts to the suffering and the poor. Abiding God, loving renewer of the human spirit, Unfold our violent fists into peaceful hands: Stretch our sense of family to include our neighbors; Stretch our sense of neighbor to include our enemies.

Until our response to you finally respects and embraces all creation as precious sacraments of your presence.

Heavenly Father, walk with me today, and grant that I may hear your footsteps and gladly follow where they lead. Talk with me today and grant that I may hear your tender voice, and quicken to its counsel.

Stay with me today and grant that I may feel your gentle presence in all I do, say and think. Be my strength when I weaken, my courage when I fear.

Help me to know that it is your hand holding mine through all the hours of this day. And when night falls, grant that I may know I rest in your Sacred Heart. Amen.

Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interest and desires.

Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.

Oh, 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 arid ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath.

St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls - Pray for me. Amen.

Lord Jesus, I come before you, just as I am. I am sorry for my sins, I repent of my sins. Please forgive me.

In your name, I forgive all others for what they have done against me. I renounce satan, the evil spirits and all their works. I give you my entire self.

Lord Jesus, now and forever, I invite you into my life. I accept you as my Lord, God and Savior. Heal me, change me, strengthen me in body, soul and spirit.

Come Lord Jesus, cover me with your precious blood, and fill me with your Holy Spirit. I love you Lord Jesus. I praise you Jesus. I thank you Jesus. I shall follow you every day of my life. Amen.

Blessed Virgin Mary help me. Amen.

In union with the Angels that surround the Tabernacle, I adore you O Blood of Jesus.

We thank Thee for each and every day of our lives. We thank Thee for creation and salvation

Without, You, God our Father, we do not have serenity, courage or wisdom. Therefore, we cannot thank you enough for all the wonderful blessings that you have continued bestowing upon us.

So, we shall praise you in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, for ever. Amen.

Then, Lord, as we increase our ability to love as Jesus did brings us closer to the kingdom prepared for us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Almighty Father, in Your love for us, You gave us Your Only Begotten Son to be our Savior. Through the merits of His passion and death, we ask You to deliver the souls in Purgatory, especially the souls of (here name those for whom you would like to pray)

Admit them to Your presence where they will enjoy eternal peace and happiness. We ask this in the name of Christ Who lives and reigns with You, forever and ever. Amen.

My Dear Jesus, Thou desirest that we pray the Lord of the harvest that He send zealous laborers into His vineyard.

Deign to raise up in Thy Church, and especially in this diocese, numerous and holy priests who, taking Thy Divine Heart as their Model, will, in the exercise of their holy priesthood, promote the glory of Thy heavenly Father and the salvation of those souls whom thou hast redeemed with Thy Precious Blood.

Give us truly holy priests who, inflamed with the fire of Thy divine love, seek nothing but Thy greater glory and the salvation of souls.

O Mary, Queen of the clergy, pray for us; obtain for us a number of holy priests.

Lord, be our guide and our protector on the journey we are about to take. Watch over us and preserve us from all accidents. Keep us free from harm to body and soul.

Lord, support us with Your grace when we are tired Help us to be patient in any trouble which might come our way.

Keep us always mindful of Your presence and love. Amen.

Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends the animals, especially for animals who are suffering, for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry; for all that must be put to death.

We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity, and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words. Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals and to share the blessings of the merciful.

Remember, most pure spouse of Mary ever Virgin, my loving protector St. Joseph, that never has it been heard that anyone invoked your protection or besought your aid without being consoled. In this confidence I come before you; I fervently recommed myself to you.

Despise not my prayer, foster father of the Redeemer, but graciously deign to hear it. Amen.