Category: H

O gracious Father, Maker and Preserver of heaven and earth, who in the beginning didst institute matrimony, thereby foreshadowing the mystical union of the Church with our Savior Christ, who, during His ministry upon earth, did honor marriage with His first miracle: help me, I pray Thee, by Thy grace to live in holiness and purity with the wife whom Thou hast given me. Mortify in me all violence of earthly passion, all selfishness and inconsiderateness (here name any besetting sin which may be a hindrance to you), that I may love her as Christ loved His Church, cherish and comfort her as my own body, and have as great care for her happiness as for my own. Grant that we may live in peace, without contention; in unity, without discord. [Give us, O Lord, discreet heart and understanding minds, to bring up our children in Thy faith and fear, that they may be obedient to Thee and to Thy commandments, and to all that Thou requirest of them in their duties towards their parents.] And give us, O Lord, a sufficiency of those things necessary to maintain ourselves and our family according to that rank and calling wherein Thou hast placed us, without excess or vainglory, in singleness and pureness of heart. Grant this for Jesus Christ’s sake, to Whom, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, now and for ever.

Amen.

Lord, inspire those men and women who bear the titles “Husband” and “Wife”. Help them to look to You to themselves to one another to rediscover the fullness and mystery they once felt in their union. Let them be honest enough to ask: “Where have we been together and where are we going? Let them be brave enough to question: “How have we failed?” Let each be foolhardy enough to say: “For me, we come first”. Help them, together to reexamine their commitment in the light of Your love, willingly, openly, compassionately. One Hail Mary… 

Hail, O Virgin of Guadalupe. We place under your powerful patronage the purity and integrity of the Holy Faith in Mexico and in all the American Continent, for we are certain that while you are recognized as Queen and Mother, America and Mexico and our Matrimony will be saved…

Amen.

Help, Lord, the souls which Thou hast made, The souls to Thee so dear, In prison for the debt unpaid Of sins committed here. 

Those holy souls, they suffer on, Resigned in heart and will, Until Thy high behest is done, And justice has its fill. 

For daily falls, for pardoned crime, They joy to undergo The shadow of Thy cross sublime, The remnant of Thy woe. 

Help, Lord, the souls which Thou hast made, The souls to Thee so dear, In prison for the debt unpaid Of sins committed here. 

Oh, by their patience of delay, Their hope amid their pain, Their sacred zeal to burn away Disfigurement and stain; 

Oh, by their fire of love, not less In keenness than the flame, Oh, by their very helplessness, Oh, by Thy own great Name, 

Good Jesus, help! sweet Jesus, aid The souls to Thee most dear, In prison for the debt unpaid Of sins committed here.

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.