Prayers (A-Z)

Breath in me, Spirit of God,
that I may think what is holy;
drive me, Spirit of God,
that I may do what is holy;
draw me Spirit of God, 
that I may love what is holy;
strengthen me, Spirit of God,
that I may preserve what is holy;
guard me, Spirit of God,
that I may never lose what is holy.

Gracious and Holy Father,
Please give me:
intellect to understand you,
reason to discern you,
diligence to seek you,
wisdom to find you,
a spirit to know you,
a heart to meditate upon you,
ears to hear you,
eyes to to see you,
a tongue to proclaim you,
a way of life pleasing to you,
patience to wait for you
and perseverance to look for you.
Grant me a perfect end,
your holy presence,
a blessed resurrection
and life everlasting.

Gracious and Holy Father,
Please give me:
intellect to understand you,
reason to discern you,
diligence to seek you,
wisdom to find you,
a spirit to know you,
a heart to meditate upon you,
ears to hear you,
eyes to to see you,
a tongue to proclaim you,
a way of life pleasing to you,
patience to wait for you
and perseverance to look for you.
Grant me a perfect end,
your holy presence,
a blessed resurrection
and life everlasting.

Amen.

(By St. Benedict of Nursia, ca. 480-547)

I believe that you, O Jesus, are in the most holy Sacrament. I love you and desire you. Come into my heart. I embrace you. Oh, never leave me. May the burning and most sweet power of your love, O Lord Jesus Christ, I beseech you, absorb my mind that I may die through love of your love, who were graciously pleased to die through love of my love.

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacra mentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. 

Amen

Veritatis Splendor, August 6, 1993. 

O Mary, Mother of Mercy, watch over all people, that the Cross of Christ may not be emptied of its power, that man may not stray from the path of the good or become blind to sin, but may put his hope ever more fully in God who is “rich in mercy” [Eph 2:4]. May he carry out the good works prepared by God beforehand [cf. Eph 2:10] and so live completely “for the praise of his glory” [Eph 1:12].

God of power and might,
at every moment and in every place
you are near to those who call upon your name in faith.
In marriage you have blessed us with a share in your 
divine love.
Look upon my husband/wife and keep him/her in your 
safekeeping,
no matter where the road may lead.
And when the battle is ended,
bring him/her safely home to those who love him.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

O Lord, holy Father, omnipotent and eternal God, we give you thanks and we bless your holy name. You created man and woman in your image and blessed their union, so that each would be for the other a help and support. Remember us today. Protect us and grant that our love may be in the image of the devotion and love of Christ for his Church. Grant us a long and fruitful life together, in joy and in peace, so that, through your Son and in the Holy Spirit, our hearts may always rise to you in praise and goods works.

Amen.

Lord Jesus, grant that I and my spouse may have a true and understanding love for each other. Grant that we may both be filled with faith and trust. Give us the grace to live with each other in peace and harmony. May we always bear with one another’s weaknesses and grow from each other’s strengths.

Help us to forgive one another’s failings and grant us patience, kindness, cheerfulness and the spirit of placing the well-being of one another ahead of self. 

May the love that brought us together grow and mature with each passing year. Bring us both ever closer to You through our love for each other. Let our love grow to perfection.

Amen.

At the Cross her station keeping
Stood the mournful Mother weeping,
Close to Jesus to the last. 

Through her Heart, His sorrow sharing,
All His bitter anguish bearing,
Lo! the piercing sword had passed. 

O how sad and sore distressed
Was that Mother, highly blessed,
Of the Sole-Begotten One. 

Mournful, with Heart’s prostration,
Mother meek, the bitter Passion
Saw She of Her glorious Son. 

Who on Christ’s dear Mother gazing,
In Her trouble so amazing,
Born of woman, would not weep? 

Who on Christ’s dear Mother thinking,
Such a cup of sorrow drinking,
Would not share Her sorrow deep? 

For His people’s sins rejected,
Saw Her Jesus unprotected.
Saw with thorns, with scourges rent. 

Saw Her Son from judgement taken,
Her Beloved in death forsaken,
Till His Spirit forth He sent.

Fount of love and holy sorrow,
Mother, may my spirit borrow
Somewhat of your woe profound. 

Unto Christ with pure emotion,
Raise my contrite heart’s devotion,
To read love in every wound. 

Those Five Wounds on Jesus smitten,
Mother! in my heart be written,
Deep as in your own they be. 

You, your Saviour’s Cross did bare,
You, your Son’s rebuke did share.
Let me share them both with Thee. 

In the Passion of my Maker,
Be my sinful soul partaker,
Weep ’til death and weep with you. 

Mine with you be that sad station,
There to watch the great salvation,
Wrought upon the atoning Tree. 

Virgin, you of virgins fairest,
May the bitter woe Thou bearest
Make on me impression deep. 

Thus Christ’s dying may I carry,
With Him in His Passion tarry,
And His Wounds in memory keep. 

May His Wound both wound and heal me,
He enkindle, cleanse, strengthen me,
By His Cross my hope and stay. 

May He, when the mountains quiver,
From that flame which burns forever,
Shield me on the Judgement Day. 

Jesus, may Your Cross defend me,
And Your Mother’s prayer befriend me;
Let me die in Your embrace. 

When to dust my dust returns,
Grant a soul, that to You yearns,
In Your paradise a place.

Amen.