Most Holy Virgin and Mother, your soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow in the passion of your divine Son, and in His glorious resurrection, you were filled with unending joy in His triumph! Obtain for us who call upon you, to be such partakers in the adversities of holy Church and in the sorrows of the Sovereign Pontiff as to be found worthy to rejoice with them in the consolations for which we pray, in the charity and peace of the same Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The First Sorrowful Mystery
THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN
Jesus comes with his disciples to Gethsemani: “Stay here, while I go yonder and pray.”
Entering the garden with Peter, James, and John, Jesus prays, “My soul is sorrowful unto death.”
Jesus sees the sins of all mankind, whose guilt He has taken upon Himself.
He sees the wrath of the Father which His sufferings must appease.
So great is his anguish that His sweat becomes as drops of blood falling to the ground.
An angel appears to Him from heaven to strengthen Him.
“Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet, not My will but Yours be done.”
Finding the disciples asleep: “Could you not watch one hour with me?”
Jesus is betrayed by Judas, cruelly bound and led away.
Father, by the merits of the agony of Jesus in the Garden, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Spiritual Fruit: God’s Will be done
The Second Sorrowful Mystery
THE SCOURGING AT THE PILLAR
Jesus is taken before the High Priest where He is falsely accused, buffeted and insulted.
The Jewish leaders take Jesus before Pilate, for only he can impose the death penalty.
The robber, Barabbas, is preferred to Jesus.
Pilate can “find no cause in Him”, yet to appease the Jews, he orders Jesus to be scourged.
The scourge is made of leather thongs to which are attached small sharp bones.
Jesus is bound to a pillar and cruelly scourged until His whole body is covered with deep wounds.
The Lamb of God offers His suffering for the sins of mankind.
Jesus suffers so much in His sacred flesh to satisfy, especially, for sins of the flesh.
The prophesy of Isaiah is fulfilled: “He was wounded for our iniquities, He was bruised for our sins.”
Father, by the merits of Jesus in this painful scourging, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Spiritual Fruit: Mortification of the senses
The Third Sorrowful Mystery
THE CROWNING WITH THORNS
Pilate asks, “Are You a king?” Jesus answers: “I am a King, but My kingdom is not of this world.”
In the praetorium, the soldiers place an old purple robe on Jesus in mockery of His claim to be a king.
They fashion a crown out of thorns, and forcefully press it down upon His head.
In His bound hands they place a reed, as a sceptre, in mockery of His kingship.
Kneeling before Him in derision, they spit on Him, and cry out: “Hail, King of the Jews!”
Taking the reed from His hand they strike Him on the head, driving the thorns more deeply into His scalp.
Pilate brings Jesus before the people, hoping His pitiful sight will soften them: “Behold the man!”
Their response: “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”
Our Blessed Lord submitted to this terrible humiliation to make reparation for our pride.
Father, by the merits of this painful humiliation, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Spiritual Fruit: Reign of Christ in our heart
The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery
THE CARRYING OF THE CROSS
One condemned to death by crucifixion is forced to carry the cross to the place of execution.
The suffering of Jesus is intense as the cross is laid on His bruised and wounded back and shoulders.
Weak and exhausted from loss of blood, lack of food and rest, Jesus falls three times under the cross.
Jesus meets His afflicted Mother causing untold anguish in the Hearts of Son and Mother.
The countenance of Jesus is disfigured with blood and sweat, with dust and spittle.
Veronica wipes His face, leaving on her towel the image of His countenance.
Fearing that Jesus might die on the way, the soldiers force Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross behind Jesus.
Jesus speaks to weeping women; “Weep not for Me, but for yourselves and your children.”
“If anyone is to be My disciple, let him take up his cross and follow Me.”
Father, by the merits of this painful journey to Calvary, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Spiritual Fruit: Patient bearing of trials
The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery
THE CRUCIFIXION
The hands and feet of Jesus are nailed to the cross in the presence of His afflicted Mother.
“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
“This day you will be with Me in paradise.”
“Woman, behold your Son. Son, behold your Mother.”
“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
“I thirst.”
“It is finished.”
“Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit.”
The side of Jesus is pierced with a lance. His body is taken down and placed in the arms of His Mother.
Father, by the merits of the crucifixion and death of Jesus, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Spiritual Fruit: Pardoning of Injuries
Soul of Christ, santify 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 your wounds, hide me. Never let me be separated from you. From the malignant enemy, defend me. At the hour of death, call me; and bid me come to you. That with your saints I may praise you forever and ever.
Amen.
Dear God, Loving Essence of all there is. Please fill me with your sacred presence.
I ask for your Love and Guidance and for your blessings
As I explore the deep reaches of my heart I ask for you assistance
In releasing that which stands in the way of true love.
My heart is pure; my intentions clear. Please bring to me my most perfect partner.
I seek a partner who enhances me by his/her very being.
who brings more love, joy, peace and prosperity to my life,
Who I can love fully and who can fully receive my love,
Who loves, honors and cherishes me completely, and always.
May my heart be open and my head be clear.
May my life be ready to welcome True love.
May I be embraced in a circle of your love
An uplifted by your grace. And so it is.
O gentle Heart of Jesus, ever present in the Blessed Sacrament, ever consumed with burning love for the poor captive souls in Purgatory, have mercy on them.
Be not severe in Your judgments, but let some drops of Your Precious Blood fall upon the devouring flames.
And, Merciful Saviour, send Your angels to conduct them to a place of refreshment, light and peace.
Amen.
O holy souls in Purgatory, Who are the certain heirs of heaven, Souls most dear to Jesus As the trophies Of his Precious Blood, And to Mary, Mother of Mercy, Obtain for me Through your intercession The grace to lead a holy life, To die a happy death And to attain To the blessedness Of eternity in heaven.
Dear Suffering Souls, Who languish in your Prison of pain And long to be delivered In order to praise And glorify God in heaven, By your unfailing pity Help me at this time,
[State your intention(s) here…]
That I may obtain relief And assistance from God.
In gratitude For your intercession I offer to God on your behalf The satisfactory merits Of all my works And sufferings of this day/week/month.
(The time that you determine.)
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.
Amen.
Almighty and loving Father,
I thank you for giving St. Gerard to us
as a most appealing model and powerful friend.
By his example,
he showed us how to love and trust You.
You have showered many blessings
on those who call upon him.
For Your greater glory and my welfare,
please grant me the favours
which I ask in his name.
(Mention your needs here…)
And you, my powerful patron,
intercede for me before the throne of God.
Draw near to that throne
and do not leave it until you have been heard.
O good saint,
to you I address my feverent prayers;
graciously accept them
and let me experience in some way
the effects of your powerful intercession.
Amen.
Long before you entered nursing The Lord had played His part, Planting seeds of love and kindness In the portals of your heart. For it’s clear that you’ve been gifted With a sympathetic ear, And blessed from the beginning With a willingness to cheer. And the people who you care for Are better off by far, When they’re touched by your compassion, By the person that you are. For in times of woe and worry When they’re frightened or they’re blue, No one could be more consoling than the friend they’ll find in you.
My powerful and glorious and holy God, with everything I have and everything I am in Christ, I come before Your Throne to intercede on behalf of marriages. Lord, I come before You with complete confidence because I know with irrefutable certainty that I am praying according to Your will. Father, You are PRO-MARRIAGE. You are FOR US. And if You are for us, who indeed can be against us? Lord, Your enemy the devil is waging full scale war on the marriages of Your own children. Havoc resides in the earthly house of God. Our churches will only be as strong as the families that inhabit them.
If not for Your Spirit living within us, Satan’s psychological warfare would be almost too much to bear and his lies too sly to discern. We cry out to You, Lord! I ask You to rise from Your Throne in behalf of each of our homes and marriages and cause our enemies to scatter violently. Open our eyes to the deceit of the enemy that tempts spouses to think they need something – someone – brand new. Help them to see that it would be an unending cycle of newness always wearing off and demanding something deeper to sustain it. Renew us, Lord! You created marriage and You alone can sustain it. Breathe fresh life into each of our marriages. You are a master at resurrection life. Raise marriages from the dead, O Lord! Reclaim those that have given up. Put a holy tenacity in them to refuse to let go. Give each spouse eyes only for the other. Cause each husband to thrill to the touch of his wife. Cause each wife to thrill to the touch of her husband. Renew a fiery passion in their hearts toward one another. Fill each wife with the desire and obedience to treat her man like he’s the real man You created him to be. Forgive us our serious trespasses of dishonoring or belittling our spouses in any way. Forgive us for making our men secondary priorities to our children. Help us to see that the best thing we could ever do for our children is to have a wonderful relationship with their father.
Cause each man to be lavish in his demonstrations of love toward his wife. Open his eyes to see how hard she works and how badly she needs his blessing. In turn, open her eyes to the pressures that fall daily upon her man and enable her to love him in a way that soothes and relieves him. CLAIM OUR HOMES AND OUR MARRIAGES, LORD! I know You can perform miracles over the worst of marriages. You performed countless wonders over my own. Lord, in Jesus’ Name, You bring to a stunning halt every weapon forged against each couple and every scheme the enemy may already have under way. Bind every single person and subsequent action that may be coming against one of these marriages. Halt any hint of extra-marital flirtation or fantasy in the powerful Name of Jesus. Cause any other person that has become dangerously attractive to now become utterly repulsive to them. Empower every person at risk to flee for his or her life from sexual temptation and immorality. Make each spouse TRUE, Lord, in heart, soul, and mind.
God, I lift this to You with great urgency and fervency. Enough is enough! Enough Christian marriages have disintegrated! I don’t just pray for couples to stay together. I pray for them to LOVE staying together. I pray for the return of laughter, flirtation, desire, and life-long commitment. Interrupt mediocrity with fresh fire. We are all weak in our natural selves, Lord, and we know we’ll never have perfect marriages and homes but we are fully capable in Your sovereign power to have good ones. Healthy ones. FUN ONES. L-A-S-T-I-N-G ONES! Lord, the beauty of praying in Your will is knowing that every single couple who desires and receives it can have it. Every couple can be healed. Every couple can be in love again. Every family can be whole if they are willing. Make them willing! I offer this intercession with the absolute belief that You initiated it, Lord. You do not waste time nor effort. If You prompted it, You meant to answer it. Now, compassionate and wonderful Father, do what only You can do. Out-do everything we ask. Do more than we could think to request so that Your great Name can be magnified above all else. I set before You every marriage represented by those who read this entry. Cause every couple to have a glorious Head-on collision with You, Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth. Nothing is too difficult for You. My prayers are unmistakably heard and my thanks already appropriate because I offer each of these petitions in the incomparable and delivering Name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
