Prayers (A-Z)

Glorious St. Joseph, 
model of all those who are devoted to labour, 
obtain for me the grace to work conscientiously, 
putting the call of duty above my many sins; 
to work with thankfulness and joy, 
considering it an honour to employ and develop, 
by means of labour, 
the gifts received from God; 
to work with order, 
peace, prudence and patience, 
never surrendering to weariness or difficulties; 
to work, above all, 
with purity of intention, 
and with detachment from self, 
having always death before my eyes 
and the account which I must render of time lost, 
of talents wasted, 
of good omitted, 
of vain complacency in success 
so fatal to the work of God. 

All for Jesus, 
all for Mary, 
all after thy example, 
O Patriarch Joseph. 
Such shall be my motto in life and death.

Amen.

O Glorious Saint Joseph, 
you were chosen by God 
to be the foster father of Jesus, 
the most pure spouse of Mary, ever Virgin, 
and the head of the Holy Family. 
You have been chosen by Christ’s Vicar 
as the heavenly Patron and Protector
of the Church founded by Christ. 

Protect the Sovereign Pontiff 
and all bishops and priests united with him. 
Be the protector of all who labour for souls 
amid the trials and tribulations of this life; 
and grant that all peoples of the world 
may be docile to the Church 
without which there is no salvation. 

Dear Saint Joseph, 
accept the offering I make to you. 
Be my father, protector, 
and guide in the way of salvation. 
Obtain for me purity of heart 
and a love for the spiritual life. 
After your example, 
let all my actions be directed 
to the greater glory of God, 
in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus, 
the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 
and your own paternal heart. 
Finally, pray for me that I may share 
in the peace and joy of your holy death. 

Amen.

Heavenly father, 
through the obedience of Jesus, 
Who offered His Life in the service of all, 
help me with Your Kindness. 
Make me strong through the Eucharist. 
May I put into action the saving Mystery 
I celebrate in the Mass. 
Protect me with Your Love 
and prepare me for eternal happiness.

The First Joyful Mystery 

THE ANNUNCIATION

The time for the Incarnation is at hand.
Of all women God prepared Mary from her conception to be the Mother of the Incarnate Word.
The Angel Gabriel announces: “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with thee.”
Mary wonders at this salutation.
The Angel assures her: “Fear not . . . you shall conceive in your womb, and give birth to a Son.”
Mary is troubled for she has made a vow of virginity.
The Angel answers that she will conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit, and her Son will be called the Son of God.
The Incarnation awaits Mary’s consent.
Mary answers: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to your word.”
The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.
Spiritual Fruit: Humility

The Second Joyful Mystery 

THE VISITATION

Mary’s cousin Elizabeth conceived a son in her old age . . . for nothing is impossible with God.
Charity prompts Mary to hasten to visit Elizabeth in the hour of her need.
The journey to Elizabeth’s home is about eighty miles requiring four or five days.
Though long and arduous, the journey is joyous, for Mary bears with her the Incarnate Word.
At Mary’s salutation, John the Baptist is sanctified in his mother’s womb.
Elizabeth exclaims: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”
“How have I deserved that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”
“Blessed is she who believed that the Lord’s words to her would be fulfilled.”
Mary replies: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit finds joy in God my Savior.”
Mary serves her cousin in all humility for three months until the birth of John the Baptist.
Spiritual Fruit: Love of Neighbor

The Third Joyful Mystery

THE NATIVITY

Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem to comply with the decree of Caesar Augustus.
The hour for Mary to give birth is near, but there is no room in the inn.
In the stillness of the night, the Savior is born in a cave, Mary remaining a Virgin.
She wraps Him in swaddling clothes and lays Him in a manger.
In unspeakable joy Mary gathers to her bosom the Flower of her virginity.
Jesus enters the world in poverty to teach the lesson of detachment from earthly things.
The angel announces to the shepherds: “Today there is born to you in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord.”
The angelic chorus sing: “Glory to God in the highest, and peace to His people on earth.”
The shepherds come to the stable to pay homage to the Infant Jesus.
The Magi come to adore the Holy Child and offer Him gifts.
Spiritual Fruit: Poverty of Spirit

The Fourth Joyful Mystery

THE PRESENTATION

Observing the law of Moses they take Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord.
According to the Law the firstborn male child of every family should be consecrated to the Lord.
Mary offers her Son to the Father, then ransoms Him back at the price paid by the poor.
Jesus is not subject to the law of Moses, yet to teach obedience, submits to it.
Mary is not subject to the law of purification, yet in humility she submits to it.
God had revealed to Simeon that he would not see death until he had seen the Messiah.
Recognizing the Child, he prays: “Now you can dismiss your servant in peace. You have fulfilled your word.”
“This Child is destined to be the downfall and rise of many in Israel, a sign that will be opposed.”
And to Mary Simeon reveals: “And your own soul a sword shall pierce.”
After they fulfill all the Law requires they return to Nazareth.
Spiritual Fruit: Purity of mind and body

The Fifth Joyful Mystery

THE FINDING OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE

When Jesus is twelve years old, He goes with His parents to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover.
After the feast of the Passover, Joseph and Mary unknowingly set out for Nazareth without Jesus.
At the end of the first day’s journey they discover Jesus is missing.
His parents return immediately looking for Him.
This loss causes grief and anxiety beyond our understanding to the hearts of Mary and Joseph.
On the third day they find Jesus in the Temple among the Doctors who were astonished at His wisdom.
Mary: “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been searching for you in sorrow.”
Jesus: “Why did you search for me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?”
Jesus goes down with them to Nazareth, and is subject to them.
Mary keeps all these things in her heart.
Spiritual Fruit: Obedience

Lord, Jesus We your Church of the Archdiocese of Regina look forward with joy and anticipation to the celebration of the Great Jubilee that marks your birth 2000 years ago.

Hear our prayer and send forth your Spirit on us during this time of preparation so that we might become a Church that is reconciling and forgiving, faithful to your teachings, full of faith, hope and love, is just and seeks justice, is alive to the needs of others is living out it’s call to proclaim the Good News so that all peoples may come to know you as their Lord and Saviour.

May we your Church, with the help of Mary our Mother become a true sacrament to the world.
Jesus, we ask this in your name, Our Lord, yesterday, today and forever.

Amen.

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.

Father, you have given all peoples one common origin.
It is your will that they be gathered together 
as one family in yourself.
Fill the hearts of mankind with the fire of your love
and with the desire to ensure justice for all.
By sharing the good things you give us,
may we secure an equality for all 
our brothers and sisters throughout the world.
May there be an end to division, strife and war.
May there be a dawning of a truly human society
built on love and peace.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord.

Amen.