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RAYERS
.

forthe .
Catholic Fatni!Y



 



Prayers
for the Catholic Family



RAYERS FOR THE
. )



LAWRENCE G. LOVASIK, S.V.D.
Divine Word Missionary

CATHOLIC FAMILY

CATECHETICAL GUILD EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY
ST. PAUL 2, MINNESOT�



IMPRIMI POTEST: REV. ROBERT C. HUNTER., S.V.D.
Provincial, Girard, Pa.

NllnL OBSTAT: A. H. WIERSBINSKI, LL.D.
Censor

IMPRIMATUR: � JOHN MARK GANNON, D.D., D.C.L., LL.D.
Archbishop, Bishop of Erie

October 5, 1954

Cover by Edward Diehl

Ex�rpt from TREASURY OF PRAYER

COPYRIGHT 1955, 1954, :BY CATECHETICAL GUILD EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

DESIGNED AND PRODUCED BY ARTISTS AND WRITERS GUILD, INC.

PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. BY WESTERN PRINTING. AND LITHOGRAPHING CO.

PUBLISHED SIMULTANEOUSLY IN CANADA

BY PALM PUBLISHERS, MONTREAL.



CONTENTS

FGREWORD
INDULGENCED PRAYERS AND EJACULATIONS
Part I-FAMILY PRAYERS

Prayers for a Christian Family
Prayers for Health and for the Sick
.Prayers for a Happy Death
Prayers of Parents for Each Other
Prayers of Parents for Their Children
Children's Prayer for Their Parents
Prayers for Help in One's Vocation

Part II-PRAYERS FOR EVERY DAY

Morning Prayers
Night Prayers
Prayers 'During the Day
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

Page
7
8

11'

11

17
I 22

26

30

36

37

43

43

46

49

54

- Ͼ'



 



FOREWORD

GOD has appointed, in addition to the sacraments, prayer
as the source of grace. He has made prayer an absolute con­
dition for the bestowal of the graces you need for your sancti..
fication and salvation. It is a fundamental principle of re..
ligion that if you pray well; you will live well. Much prayer,
much grace; little prayer," little grace; no prayer, no grace.

This book offers a selection of prayers which will be used
by family members. Part 1 consists of prayers relating to the
family and its different members; part 2 contains simple
forms of morning and night prayers, as well as prayers com­
monly said during the day, with a simplified form of assist-
ing at the Holy Sacrifice-of the Mass.

.

The purpose of PRAYERS FOR THE CATHOLIC FAMILY is to
encourage �u to .pray. It contains a careful selection of the
finest and most loved prayers, the majority of which have
been enriched with indulgences. These prayers have been
simplified to make them more personal. May you find in
them a treasury of richest graces to help you to deepen your
union with God, Our Lady, and the Saints, and thereby to
sanctify and save your soul ..



INDULGENCED PRAYERS
AND EJACULATIONS

To GAIN an indulgence one must be in the state of grace, have
a general intention of gaining indulgences, and fulfill the
prescribed conditions. To gain a plenary indulgence one
must also detest all venial sins.

The usual conditionsare:
1. Confession. Weekly confession suffices for all the plenary

indulgences to be gained during that time.
, 2 COmmunion. Weekly Communion suffices for all the

plenary indulgences to be gained during that time.
3. Visit to a church. The visit must be repeated for each

plenary indulgence which requires this condition.
4. Prayers for the intention of the Holy Father. One Our

Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory' be to the Father or
any other equivalent prayers suffice. They must be said orally
and repeated for each plenary indulgence which requires this
condition.

NOTE: The numbers in parentheses in this book refer to the section
numbers in the Enchiridion Indulgentiarum (1950), the latest,
official edition of indulgenced prayers. The (*) indicates that a
plenary indulgence may be gained once 'a month under the usual
conditions: confession, Communion, visit to a church, and prayers
for the Holy Father's intentions.



\

Part I'

Family Prayers



 



Family-Prayers

PRAYERS FOR A CHRISTIAN FAMILY

GOD
of goodness and mer�y, to Your fatherly protection

we commend our family, our household, and all that
belongs to us. We entrust all to Your love and keeping. Fill
our home with Your blessings as Yo� filled the holy House,. I
of Nazareth with the presence of Your divine Son.

Lord Jesus, above all things else, keep far from us the stain
of sin. We want You alone to reign over us. Help each one of
us to obey Your holy laws, love You sincerely, and imitate
Your example, the example of Mary, Your Mother and ours,
and the example of Your holy guardian, Saint Joseph.

Lord, preserve us and our home from all evils and misfor­
tunes, but grant that we may be ever resigned to Your divine
Will even in the sorrows which it may please You to send
us, or in any cross You may permit to come to us.

Finally, give all of us the grace to live in perfect harmony
and 'charity toward our neighbor. Grant that everyone of us
may deserve by a holy life the comfort of Your holy sacra­
ments at the hour of death.

Jesus, bless and protect our family. Mary, Mother of grace
and mercy, defend us against the wicked spirit. Reconcile
us with Your Son and entrust us to His keeping that we may
be made worthy of His promises.

Saint Joseph, foster-father of our Saviour, guardian of His



12 Prayers for the Catholic Family
holy Mother, head of the Holy Family, intercede for us, bless
us, and defend our home at all times. Saint Michael, defend
us against all evil that might threaten our souls. Saint Gabriel,
make us understand the holy Will of God. Saint Raphael,
keep us free from all sickness and from every danger to our
lives. Our holy Guardian Angels, keep us safely on the path
of .salvation. Our holy Patrons, pray for us at the throne of
God.

Bless this.house, God the Father, who created us, God the
Son, who suffered for us upon the Cross, and God the Holy
Spirit, who sanctified us in baptism. May the one God in
three divine Persons preserve our bodies, purify our minds,
direct our hearts and bring us all to everlasting life.

Glory be to the Father, glory be to the Son, glory be to the
Holt Spiriti Amen..

500 -days, (707)

O Lord, through th� prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
we beg You to guard this family from all danger. And as we
humbly worship You with all our hearts, in Your mercy gra­
ciously protect us from all the snaresof the enemy. Through
Christ our Lord. Amen.

3 years. (708)

O Lord, we pray You to visit this home and drive far from
it all snares of the enemy. Let Your holy angels dwell in it
to preserve us in peace; and let Your blessing be always upon
us. Through Christ our Lord .. Amen.

5 years. (62 )

Mary, bless this home where your Name is always praised ..
Praise forever be to Mary Immaculate, the Virgin Mother,
blessed among women, the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Queen of Paradise. .

.

300 days. (298)



Prayers for a Christian Family 13
A BLESSING FOR THE FAMILY

O God, may Your blessing graciously descend upon our
family, and may the graces and gifts of Your Holy Spirit
sanctify us all.

May Your most just, most high, and most adorable Will be
done in all things; may it be praised and glorified by us at all
times.

Jesus, may Your most holy and sweet Name, in which alone
there is salvation, generously bring happiness and blessing to.
each member of our family.

Holy Spirit, God of Love, give us peace and true love, in­
nocence, piety, and the fear of the Lord.

Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother, watch over us with
motherly care and preserve us from all dangers of soul and
body.

Good Saint Joseph, through your prayers obtain success in
our undertakings and labors, and abundant merits for our
trials and sufferings. -

Holy guardian
�

angels, protect all the members of our fam­
ily from the snares of the enemy and from every misfortune
and lead us safely to our eternal hornell

Dear God, preserve us from an unprovided death and grant
us the grace of final perseverance in Your love. May we re­
ceive the last sacraments worthily.

May Your blessing, O Almighty God.the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit, descend upon us and remain with us
forever. Amen.

CONSECRATION TO TIlE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, You revealed to Saint Margaret

Mary Your desire to rule.over Christian families. Behold, in
order to please You, we present ourselves before You this day
to proclaim Your reign over our family.



14 Prayers for the Catholic Family
From now on we want "to live Your life. We desire that the

virtues to which You have promised peace on earth may
flower in our family. We are determined tokeep far from us
the spirit of the world which You have condemned.

Be the King of our minds by the simplicity ofour faith. Be
the King of our hearts by our love of You alone; help us to
keep alive this flame of love in our hearts by receiving Holy
Communion frequently.

.

.

Sacred Heart, be pleased to preside over us when we as­
semble. Bless our spiritual and temporal affairs, ward off all
trouble, sanctify our joys, and give us consolation in sorrows.

If any of us should have the misfortune of offending You,
Heart of Jesus, give him the grace to remember that You are
kind and merciful to the repentant sinner.

When the hour of-separation strikes and death enters our
family circle, whether. we go or whether we stay, help us
all to submit humbly to Your eternal decrees. Let it be our
consolation to remember that the day will come when our
entire family, once more united in heaven, will praise Your
glory and goodness forever (I

May the immaculate heart of Mary and the glorious Patri­
arch Saint Joseph be pleased to offer You this our act of con­
secration and keep the memory of it alive in our hearts each
day of our lives.

Glory to the Heart of Jesus, our King and our Fatherl
7 years (705)·

To THE HOLY FAMILY

Jesus, our most loving Redeemer, You came to enlighten
the world with Your teaching and example. You willed to
spend the greater part of Your life in humble obedience to
Mary and Joseph in the poor home "of Nazareth. In this way
You sanctified that Family which was to be an example for
all Christian families. Graciously accept our family which we II



Prayers for a Christian Family 15
dedicate and consecrate to Yau this day. Be pleased to protect,
guard, and keep it in holy fear, in peace, and in the harmony
of 'Christian charity. By conforming ourselves to the divine
model of Your Family, may we all attain to eternal happiness.'

Mary: Mother of Jesus and our Mother, by your merciful
intercession make this our humble offering acceptable to
jesus, and obtain for us graces and blessings ..

Saint Joseph, most holy guardian of Jesus, and Mary, help
us by your prayers, in all our spiritual and temporal needs
so that we may praise Jesus, our divine Saviour, together with
Mary and you for all eternity.

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be (three times)
500 days. (706):1:

Lord Jesus Christ who, being subject to Mary and Joseph,
sanctified family life by Your beautiful virtues, grant that we,
with the help of Mary and Joseph, may be taught by the ex..
ample of Your holy Family, and may after death enjoy its
everlasting companionship. Who live and reign forever.
Amen.

5 years (276)·

Lord Jesus, help us ever to follow the example of Your holy
Family, that in the hour of our death Your glorious Virgin
Mother together 'with Saint Joseph may come to meet us, and
we may be worthy to .be received by You into everlasting
dwellings. Who live and reign forever. Amen.

DEDICATION OF ONE'S ,FAMILY
Most loving Jesus, who by Your sublime and beautiful vir­

tues of humility, obedience, poverty, modesty, charity, pa..
tience, and gentleness blessed with peace and happiness the
family which You chose on earth; in Your mercy look upon'

o

this family, humbly kneeling beforeYou and imploring Your
mercy. Remember that this family belongs to You, for we

3 years. (643)·



16
, Prayers for the Catholic Family

have dedicated and devoted ourselves to You in a special way.
Look upon us in Your loving kindness, preserve us from
danger, give us help in time of need, and grant us the grace
to per�evere to the end in the imitation of Your holy Family,

,

so that having revered You and loved You faithfully on earth,
we may praise You eternally in heaven,

Mary; sweetest Mother, to your intercession we have re­
course, knowing that your divine Son will hear your prayers"
Glorious patriarch, Saint Joseph, help us by your powerful
prayers and offer our prayers to Jesus through Mary's hands ..
Amen.

FOR RELATIVES AND FRIENDS
O God, who poured the gifts of charity into the hearts

of Your faithful by the" grace of the Holy Spirit, grant health
of mindand body to Your servants for whom we pray, that
they may love You with all their strength and perform with
perfect love what is pleasing to You. Through Christ our
Lord. Amen.

FOR FRIENDS
O Lord, I beg You to bless with a very special blessing the

friends of my heart. Give them an increase of faith, hope and
love; give them a hunger and thirst for You and all heavenly.
things. Make them dwell in the sunshine of Your approving
smile and be more and more delicately alert to Your Voice
speaking to their conscience, Lead them always to the full
and glad accomplishment of Your adorable Will. Grant that
we may all enter into Your joy in our dear and everlasting
Home of Love. Amen.

FOR BENEFACTORS

May it please You, O Lord, to reward with eternal life all
those who do good to us for Your Name's sake. Amen.

300 days. (666)



Prayers for Health and for the Sz'ék 17
FOR OUR E�EMIES

O God, who, because of Your great love of this world, rec­
onciled earth to heaven through Your only-begotten Son,
grant that we, who by the darkness of our sins are turned
aside from brotherly love, may by Your light shed forth in
our souls, embrace our friends in You, and our enemies. for
Your sake in a bond of mutual affection. Through the same

-

Christ our Lord. Amen.
'

PRAYERS FOR HEALTH
AND FOR THE SICK

/
.

PuYER FOR HEALTH
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I come to ask of Your infinite

mercy the gift cf health and strength that I may serve You
more faithfully and love You more sincerely than in the past ..

'

I wish to be well and strong if this be Your good pleasure and
for Your greater glory. Filled with high resolves and deter­
mined to perform my tasks most perfectly for love of You,
I wish to be enabled to go back to my duties.

If it be Your Will, I will continue to. bear with patience
my sickness and my suffering. But if, in Your designs, I may
be restored to health and strength, I will.endeavor to show my
gratitude by a constant and faithful service rendered to You.
Amen.

FOR A CURE
Gentle Jesus, who cured the sick and laid a healing hand

uPQn the lame, the blind and the crippled, look with com­
passion upon me in my suffering. If it is not Your Will to cure
me, then give me strength to bear my burden and offer it up
to You. You suffered so much for me. Give me grace to offer

my sufferings in union with Your own, in reparation for my



3&0 days. (12)

18 Prayers for the Catholic Family
sins and those of others, for the needs of this troubled world,
and for the release of the souls in purgatory. .Mary, compas­
sionate Mother; pray for your weary child. Health of the
Sick, Comforter of the Afflicted, pray for me. Amen.

Keep me, O Lord, as the apple of Your eye; beneath the
.. shadow of Your wings protect me.

500 days. (18)-

FOR THE SICK

Almighty and Everlasting God, the eternal salvation of
those who believe in. You, hear us on behalf of Your servants �
who are sick, for whom we humbly beg the help of Your
mercy, so that, being restorea-to health, they may render
thanks to You in Your Church. Through Christ our Lord,
Amen.

EJACULATORY PRAYERS
Your Will be done.

500 days. (32)­

May the most just, the most high, and the most lovable Will
of God be in all things done, praised and evermore exalted.

-r: 500 days. (4)-'
Teacp me, O Lord, to do Your Will, for You are my God.

500 days. (11)

My God, I give You thanks forwhat You give, and for what
You take away; Your Will be done.

300 days. (9)

All through You, with You, and in You, O my God.
300 days. (29)

Abide with me, Lord, and be my true joy.

Heart of Jesus, I put my trust in You.
300 days. (226)­

. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Your love for me.
300 days. (229)



Prayers for Health and for the Sick 19
Heart of love, I put all my trust .in You; for I fear all things
from my own weakness, but I hope for all things from Your
goodness ..

300 days. (232) *'
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I give myself to You through Mary.

300 days. (238) *
All for You, most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

300 days. (234)

To JESUS, THE DIVINE PHYSICIAN
Jesus, Divine Physician, You have created nature and' all

the wondrous functions of the human body . You are the Mas­
ter of Your creation. You can and do suspend the laws of na­
turefor those who have' faith in Your goodness and entreat
You in fervent prayer. You promised that my prayers would
be heard when You said, "Ask, and it shall be given you;
seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.
For everyone who asks; receives;' and he who seeks, finds;
and to him who knocks, it shall be opened." You also said,
"All things whatsoever you ask in prayer, believe that you
shall receive, and they shall come to you." Full of confidence
in these promises, I beg You to help me in my present affiic­
tion: (mention your request).

Jesus, Divine Physician, during Your lifetime You cured
sickness and disease, and even raised the dead to life, be­
cause people asked You to do so in prayer. I firmly believe
that You will hear my prayers also, if this should be the Will
_of God. Through the intercession of Your dear Mother of
Sorrows, who was so closely associated with You during Your

.holy Passion, I ask for' the grace to understand more and
more the infinite love of Your Sacred Heart for me. I firmly
believe that You love me with a love that ordains all things
for my own good even though what You ordain might be
difficult for my nature t� bear; a love that will eventually turn



20 Prayers for the Catholic Family
to good all that I may at the moment consider evil. I love
Your Heart that loves me so much.

Jesus, Diyine Physician, I thank You for being my best
Friend in my illness and my Companion in suffering, loving
me with a Heart human like my own; a Heart that can un­
derstand my sorrows and problems since It has experienced
all, that I must bear; a Heart that can sympathize with me
and befriend me in �y hour of need; a.Heart that can love
me with the love of the best of friends. Like a real furnace
of fire Your Heart burns all for me with a love that knows
no end, because It has its source in. the depths of the God­
head-all for me, as if there were no other to share Its infinite'
warmth. Not all the affection You pòur out upon countless
other souls lessens Your love for me. Even when I forget You

�

and begin to complain in my illness, You pray for me. EvenP
when I disappoint You by trying to shake off the cross You
have placed upon my shoulders, You sacrifice Yourself for
me at Holy Mass. When I have pain, You are ready to con­
sole and strengthen me, for Your Sacred Heart ever 'calls to
me, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are burdened, and
I will give you rest." Dearest Jesus, Divine Physician, behold
how I am burdened with this cross of illness. I come to You
and beg You to give me rest.

Jesus, Divine Physician, help me to realize that it is only
through the Cross that I can attain to its glory; that it is only
through suffering that l can possess the kingdom of heaven.
Before Your own dear Mother was crowned Queen of
heaven, she became the Mother of Sorrows. All the saints suf­
fered during their lifetime. I, too, have been blessed with
suffering. This is the only way I can follow You, for You said,
"If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross and follow Me."

Jesus, Divine Physician, I unite myself with You as You



Prayers for Health and lor the Sick 2]
offer Yourself during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and re-
new Your sacrifice of Calvary. Give my heart sentiments like
Your own, so that through frequent Holy Communion and
prayer I may become a worthy co-victim with You, holy
and pleasing to God, and that all the actions, sufferings, tears,
and disappointments of my life may be thus consecrated to
You as a sacrifice for the glory of God and the salvation of

. souls, especially my own. Everything that YDU send me, or
permit in my life, whether favorable Dr unfavorable, sweet
or bitter=even this illness which I must bear-is acceptable
to me, for I have resolved to conform myself to the divine
Will in all things. You invite me to do so, for You said, "Take
my yoke upon you. My yoke is easy and my burden light."
May God's Will al ys be my will! Jesus, Divine Physician,
cure me! Amen.

.

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be.

_

To OUR LADY, HEALTH OF THE SICK
My dearest Mother Mary, I confidently invoke you as the

Health of the Sick. You are the loving Mother especially of
those who are blessed with a cross of sickness. Behold me in

my suffering and have pity on me. I humbly plead for this
special request: (mention your request).

Mother of Perpetual Help, I beg you to present my peti...
tion to your divine Son. If you will pray for me, I cannot be
refused, for your prayers before God are all-powerful. With
childlike trust I abandon myself to God's will concerning my
request,

Sweet Mother of Mercy, I love you! I put all my confidence
in you. I offer to God through your hands every suffering
that I must bear, with all the love of my heart. Make every
pain an act of love for God, an act of atonement for my sins,
and an act meritorious for the salvation of souls, especially my



22 Prayers for the Catholic Family
own. Teach me patience and resignation to the holy Will of
God, in imitation of you, dear Mother of Sorrows. My
Mother, you are my hope! For the sake of your beloved Jesus,
I beg you to grant my prayer. Amen.

V. Pray for us, Our Lady, Health of the Sick.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:
Grant us, Your servants, we beg You" O Lord God, that

we may be blessed with health of soul and body, and by the
glorious intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Health of
the Sick, be freed from the sorrows of this present life and ,
enjoy everlasting bliss. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYERS FOR A HAPPY DEATH

To ALMIGHTY GOD
My adorable Creator, I ask of You the greatest of all Your
graces, that of a holy death. No matter how greatly I have
till now abused ille life You have given me, grant me the
grace to end it in Your holy love.

Let me die like the holy patriarchs, forsaking this valley of
'tears without sadness, to enter into the joy of eternal rest in
my own true homeland.

Let me die like the glorious Saint Joseph, in the arms of
Jesus and Mary, repeating in turn each of these sweet Names
which I hope to praisethroughout eternity.

Let me die like the Immaculate and Blessed Virgin, in the
purest love and desire to be reunited to the object of my love.



· Prayers for a Ha'ppy Death 23
Let me die like Jesus on' the Cross, with the most lively sen-

timents of hatred for sin, of charity toward You, Heavenly
Father, and of perfect resignation in my agony. Holy Father,
into Your hands I'commend my spirit. Be merciful to me!

Jesus, who died for me, grant me the grace of dying in an
act of perfect love for You.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for me no}" and at the
hour of my death. I

My guardian angel, my holy patron saints, do not forsake
me at the hour of my death.'

Saint Joseph, obtain for me the grace of dying the death
of the just. Amen.

To JESUS CRUCIFIED
Most merciful Lord Jesus, by Your agony and sweat of

Blood, by Your holy Death, we beg of You, deliver us from
a sudden and unprovided death.

Most kind Lord Jesus, by Your most painful and shameful
scourging and crowning with thorns, by Your holy Cross
and Bitter Passion, by Your loving kindness, we humbly
pray, do not allow us to die without Your holy sacraments ..

Dearly beloved Lord Jesus, by all Your labors and sorrows,
by Your Precious Blood and sacred Wounds, by Your last
words on the Cross: "My God, my God, why hast Thou f-ar­
saken me?" and "Father, into Thy hands I commend my
spirit," we most earnestly beg You to deliver us from a sud­
den death. Grant us, we pray, time for repentance and a
happy death in the state of grace so that we may be able to
love, praise, and thank You <forever. Amen.

Our Fathers' Hail Mary. Glory be.
500 days (641)�



24 Prayers for the Catholic Family
To OUR LADY

Most holy Virgin Mary, ever standing before the thron-e of
the Most Holy Trinity to intercede for your children, pray
for me in all my needs. -Give thanks for me, help me, aid me
in my struggle against evil, and obtain for me the pardon of
all my sins.

Virgin Mother, my hope, help me especially at the hour of
my death. When I can no longer give any sign of the use of
reason, then encourage me, make the sign of the cross for me,
and fight for me against the enemy. Make in my name a pro­
fession of faith, favor me with a testimony of my salvation,
and never let me despair of the mercy of God. .Help me to
over�ome the wicked-enemy. And when I can no longer say,
"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I place my soul in your hands,"
say it for me. And when I can no longer hear human words
of consolation, be near to comfort me. Leave me not before
I have been judged.

And if I have to expiate my sins in purgatory, pray for me­
earnestly and admonish my friends to do so also that I may
soon enjoy the blessed sight of God. Lessen my sufferings,
deliver me speedily, and lead my soul into heaven with you so
that, united with all the elect, I may there praise my God
and you for all eternity. Amen. (

_

INDULGENCED PRAYERS

Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have re­
course to' you. Refuge of sinners, Mother of the dying, do
not forsake us at the hour of our death. Obtain for us the

grace of perfect sorrow, sincere contrition, the pardon and
remission of our sins, a worthy receiving of the holy Viati­
cum, and the consolation of the sacrament of extreme unc­

tion, in order that we may appear with greater security be-



Prayers for a Happy Death' 25
fore the throne of the just but merciful Judge, our God and
our Redeemer. Amen.

500 days. (642)

".Joseph, foster-father of Jesus, most pure spouse of the Vir­
gin Mary, pray for us daily to the same Jesus, the Son of God,
that we, being defended by the power of His grace and striv­
ing faithfully in life, may be crowned by Him at the hour
of death.

500 days. (477)
.

Lord Jesus, help us ever to follow the example of Your holy
Family so that in the hour of our death Your glorious Virgin
Mother together with Saint Joseph may come to meet us,
and we may be worthy to be received by You into everlasting
dwellings. Who live and reign forever. Amen.

3 years. (643)*

Lord Jesus, pour into us the spirit of Your love, so that in
the hour of our 'death. we may be worthy to overcome the

-

enemy and attain the heavenly crown. Who live and reign
forever. Amen.

3 years. (�48) *

Grant, we beg of You, o Lord, that in the hour of our
death we may be refreshed by Your holy sacraments and de- ..
livered from all guilt and so deserve to be received with joy
into the arms of Your mercy. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

3 years, (6.49)·



, Prayers for the Catholic Family
PRA YE'RS OF PAR,E'NTS

FOR 'EACH OTHER

MOST Sacred Heart of Jesus, Kingand Center of all hearts,
dwell in our hearts and be our King. Grant us by Your grace
to love each other earnestly and chastely, as You have love€!
Your immaculate bride, the Church, and delivered Yourself
up for her.

Bestow upon us. mutual love and Christian forbearance ,so
pleasing to You and a mutual patience in bearing each other's
shortcomings, for nobody is without them. Do not allow the
least misunderstanding to disturb that harmony of spirit
which is the foundation of mutual help in the many and
various hardships 'of life, because woman was created and
united inseparably to her husband to provide such help.

Lord God, grant that 'both .of us may constantly and ear­
nestly strive to lead a perfect Christian life so that the divine
image of Your mystical union with holy Church, imprinted
upon us on the happy day of our marriage, may shine forth
more and more clearly.

We pray You to grant that our good example of Christian
living may be a source of inspiration to our children and en­
courage them to conform their lives also to Your holy Law ..
Finally, after this exile, may we be found worthy, by the help
of Your grace, which we earnestly implore, to be taken to
heaven, there to be joined with our children forever' and to
praise and thank You through everlasting ages. Amen,

300 days. (769)
O God, You have ordained and sanctified the holy state of

matrimony for replenishing the earth, for mutual cçnscla­
tion, and as a. type of the union of Christ and His Church
Give to us who have' entered into this sacred relation, the'
grace both thankfully to accept its blessings and faithfully to
fulfill its duties.

.

J



Prayers of Parents for' Each Other 27
Accompany our union with Your constant assistance to en-

able us to live together in peace and love and in the careful
discharge of all our duties to You and to each other.

Deliver us from all evil temper and from every heedless
action which may in any way embitter or weaken the tie by
which You have bound us together. Make us true and affec­
tionate, eager to please, and ready to deny our own will and
inclination in all things. Let not the trials and crosses of this
life make us murmur, nor let our earthly prosperity cause us
to forget You, the Author and Giver of 'all blessings; but, by
patience and meekness, by prayer and thankfulness, and by
the power of Your grace given us especially through frequent
Holy Communion may we be sanctified and prepared for an
eternal union with You in heaven.

Most Holy Heart of Jesus, King of all hearts, dwell and
reign in our hearts and, by Your grace, cause us to love each
other sincerely and to bring forth fruit unto eternal life.
Amen.

Merciful God, we humbly beg You to send Your blessing
continually upon our family and to make us thankful for all
that You have already done for us. As You have rna-de us one­
through ·the grace of matrimony, grant that, united in love

.

of You and of each other in You, we may be of one heart and
of one mind. Help us to live together in peace and holiness
as faithful members of Your Church, sacrificing ourselves,
and being a mutual help, comfort, and support to each other
all the days of our life.

-

O God, Lover of families, You are our Father and You
desire nothing so much as the happiness of Your children.
Our happiness in the married state depends upon our living
according to Your holy-laws, which are an expression of Your
Will, and upon our using the means You have given us for



28 Prayers tor the Catholic Family
our own sanctification and that of our children. Let us not

spoil that happiness by interfering with Your divine plan
in our regard.

Father in heaven, You havegiven us a noble work to do
for You, for society, and for ourselves. Help us to be ever
conscious of the dignity of parenthood and its grave respon­
sibility. You have made us co-sharers with You in bringing
human beings into existence. You entrusted us with the sal­
vation of the souls of our children. We thank You for the

privilege of enjoying, with the priesthood,' the greatest min­
istry in the world-that of the education of the conscience
and the training of the souls of our children. Give us Your
grace that we may always be faithful in our mission of fash-
ioning their young hearts and minds according to the Divine
Model, Christ.

'

May we' be truly Catholic parents. Help us to take proper
care not only of the bodies and minds of our children, but
especially of their souls, by guarding diem against sin, aiding
them in the practice of virtue, counseling them in their prob­
lems, instructing them and, above all, praying for them. May
we be what You intend us to be, so that we may fulfill our
duties worthily. We cannot impart character, virtue, and
nobility if we do not ourselves have these qualities; nor can
we teach respect for You, for religion, and ourselves if we are
lacking in this respect. We cannot expect our children to be

, faithful to their duties toward us if we are unfaithful in our

duties to them.

Therefore, dear God, make us deeply religious parents.
Without Your help and religion, we cannot meet and solve
the problems and difficulties of our married life. Let our chil­
dren see that we love You and our neighbor/and that we
practice our religion conscientiously, especially by receiving
the sacraments frequently and by praying, so that they may I I



God of grace and wisdom, give us the grace to live together
in holy peace and happiness. Show us how to be patient and
kind, slow to speak harshlyvand quick to forgive each other.
Let us be like the Holy Family of- Nazareth-simple and
peace-loving, helpful to our neighbors, cheerful in bearing
our share of the burdens, both of Church and State, and solici­
tous about setting a good example in our community. Good
Saint Anne and Saint Joachim, parents of our Lady, bless our
family life. Amen.

Il Prayers of Parents for Each Other 29be drawn to imitate our example. May we thereby attract and
enjoy the most intimate confidence of our children. Make us
loving, but firm, in working for their welfare: may we temper
strength and rule with loving gentleness. Help us to love our
children sincerely and to be ready to make any sacrifice for
them, not so much for their temporal as for their spiritual
well-being.

Heavenly Father, bless us with health and strength, if it
be Your Will, and with whatever else Your divine Providence
shall see to be best for our souls and bodies. Prepare us day
by day for our departure from this world so that together
'we may inherit eternal life in Your heavenly kingdom,
through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
Am�.

.

.



Prayers for the Catholic Family

PRAYERS O� PARENTS
FOR THEI.R CHILDREN

O LORD God, You have called us to the holy state of matri­
mony and have been pleased to make our union fruitfuL"XQU
have given us happiness in the sublime state of life ìii' which
You have placed us by a certain likeness to Your own infinite

"fruitfulness.
.

With all our hearts we recommend to You our dear chil...
dren. We entrust them to Your fatherly 'care and all-powerful
protection so' that they may grow daily in Your holy fear.
May they lead perfect Christian livesand be a source of con..
solation not onlytous who have given them bodies, but also
and especially to You who are their Creator.

Behold, O Lord, in what a world they must live! World­
lings everywhere try to deceive minds and hearts with dan-

I gerous words, with 'false doctrines and wicked example"
Guard our children, O Lord; help' and defend them. Grant
us the grace to be able to guide them in the paths of virtue and
in the way of Yourcommandments, We will do this by the
good example of our own life, by rigid observance of Your

-

holy law and that of our holy Mother, the Church. In order
I

that we may do so faithfully, make us conscious of our grave
obligations to Your divine justice" But all our efforts will fail

-

unless You, O Almighty and Merciful God, shall make them
fruitful by Your heavenly blessing.

Trusting in the great goodness and mercy You have shown
us, we humbly ask Your blessing from the bottom of. our,
hearts. We ask it for ourselves and for the children whom
You have graciously given l!s. We dedicate them to You, O
Lord. Keep them as the apple of Your eye, and protect them
under the shadow of Your wings. Make us worthy to reach
heaven together with them, where forever we may praise

i
:

"

I I



II Prayers of Parents for Their Children 31and thank You, our Father, for-the loving care You have
given our entire family. Amen.

300 days., (770)

Almighty and Eternal God, I humbly turn to You in
prayer for our children, that You may bless them and give
them Your grace. Enlighten their minds that they may find
joy in listening t� Your holy doctrine and in following the
path of virtue. Protect their innocence and ·guard them from
all temptations of sin and bad company. Help them to be
obedient to Your holy laws and to Serve You faithfully all
their lives' so that they may save their immortal souls. May
they ever please You and one day be the joy and support of
their parents. .

. ,

O God, give us the grace to bring up our children in the
'fear and love of You and to teach them by our own good ex­
ample so that, when You. shall come to demand of us an
account 'of them, we may not be found wanting but may en-

: trust them again to You, from whom we have received them,
to be heirs of Your eternal Kingdom. Through Your infinite
mercy and the kind prayers of Your loving Mother Mary,
may we be reunited as one happy family in Your heavenly
home. Amen.

, I thank You-Heavenly Father, for Your boundless good­
ness, wisdom, and power, which You manifest in my family.
Enclose us in Your Heart. May no happiness or suffering of
this earth, no temptation or trial, ever separate us from Your
Iove or cast us into' the horrible darkness of, sin.

My God and Father, be pleased to grant this grace to my
children whom, in Baptism, You have made Your own, and
whom You have entrusted to me, in order that I may rear
them in supernatural love of You. Help me to maintain andI I



32 / Prayers tor the Catholic Family
strengthen them in that same love. Grant that they may ever
look upon sanctifying graèe and their divine sonship as the
highest good they possess on earth. And may they walk so
carefully, earnestly, and courageously in the ways of Your
love, that they may never lose this grace, hut rather increase
it through prayer and frequent Holy Communion, and at
last die in full possession of this divine grace and of . You.
Amen.

FOR FIDELITY IN A MOTHEIt's VOCATION
Dear God, give me the grace to appreciate the dignity of

motherhood, which You have been pleased to bestow upon
me, and to fulfill its duties according to Your Will. By my
prayers and good example, may I lead my husband and my
children closer to Your Sacred Heart. Make me. a devoted
wife to my husband and a good mother tf} my children after
the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Almighty God, I thank You for the blessed care and pro­
tection with which You embrace my family. I huinhly sub­
mit to Your decrees and resign myself to Your Divine Provi­
dence. I grasp Your guiding hand and I shall never follow
my own ways lest they lead me astray. Your good pleasure
shall be my happiness; Your commandments shall be my
only rule of conduct. Your Will shall be my will, and Your
service shall be the ohj ect of all my desires.

Lord, grant me peace of mind because of my trust in Your
Providence, an unwavering and cheerful courage founded
on my faith in Your tremendous love, faithfulness to duty
resulting from a constant awareness of :Your presence, and a
firm hope of eternal reward.

Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I
implore Your blessing upon my family that we all may serv .



I' Prayers of Parents for Their Children 33 .You faithfully in' this life and deserve to be reunited in the
eternal happiness of Your heavenly Kingdom. Amen.

FOR HER CHILDREN
Holy Mary, Mother of God, help me in all my problems.

Teach me patience and wisdom. Show me how to train my
children to be worthy children of God.

-

Let me be kind and
loving, but keep me from foolish indulgence.

Pray for my children, dear Mother. Keep them from all
danger, especially from spiritual danger. Help them to be­
come useful citizens of their own country, but let them not
forget the Kingdom of God.

Jesus of Bethlehem, make my children love each other and
their home. Help them to work and pray together in holy
peace.

Holy Family of Nazareth, be with us all-father, mother
and children-every day of our lives.

,

I humbly greet you, faithful guardian angels of my chil­
dren. 1 give you heartfelt thanks for all the love and good­
ness you show them. Someday I shall repay your care for them
with thanks more worthy than I can now give, and before
the whole' heavenly court shall acknowledge their debt. of
gratitude to your guidance and protection. Continue to watch
over them. Provide-for-all their needs of body and soul. Pray.
also for me, for my husband, and for my whole family, 'that
we may all one day rejoice in your blessed company in heaven ..
Amen.

Our Lady of Providence, my Queen and my Mother, to you
I confide the children God has entrusted to me. While they
are small, provide for them safety of body, mind, and heart.
When I shall no longer be with them, when the responsi­
bilities and greater temptations of life shall be theirs, then, O



34 Prayers for the Catholic Fatpily .
my Lady, pray for my sons and daughters. Continue to be
the Mother 'of Providence.

Above all, my Queen, be with my children when the Angel
of Death hovers near. I beg you to take my children into
eternity in the arms of your loving providence so that forever
they may praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

FOR THE CONVERSION OF A CHILD

Heart of Jesus, I humbly kneel before You, adoring You as
the Heart of my Lord and my God. Pardon the sins by which
I have offended You and rendered myself unworthy of Your
blessings. For Your own sake, for the honor and glory of
Your infinite mercy, listen to my prayer for grace and salva­
tion for my child who has strayed. From all eternity You have
loved him (her); have mercy on him (her) now. You want
my son (daughter) to be converted and live. Effect in him
(her) what Ypu have decreed. From the Cross You 'drew all
to Yourself; loosen the bonds in which he (she) lies chained.

-

You have bought him (her)' at a great price; take possession
of Your property. Lead him (her) to the fountain of pardon
and grace which You have opened in Your Church that he
(she) may receive new life.

Heart of Jesus, listen to the prayers of Your Blessed Mother
and of Your saints for thismy child. Listen to my prayers, for
You cannot hear Unmoved a mother's prayer for her child.
Grant me what is dearest to me on earth, the salvation of my

r

child, and I will eternally praise Your holy name. Amen.

,Ld

PRAYER OF AN EXPECTANT MOTHER

Almighty God, in Your wisdom You have entrusted to me
a soul 'to rear for Your honor and glory. It is a great responsi­
bility. I am proud and a little afraid, but I trust in Your
fatherly goodness and the intercession of the Mother of Jesus,



Prayers of Parents for Their Children 35
who knew all the hopes and fears of one who expects a child.

Dear God, give me courage and fortitude when I need it.. .
Let my child be born .strong and healthy and filled with heav­
enly grace. Good Saint Elizabeth, cousin of our: Lady and
mother of John the Baptist, pray for me and the child to
come.

Mary, most pure Virgin and Mother of God, I remind you
of the blessed moment when you saw for the first time your
newly born Child and folded Him in your arms. Through
this joy of your maternal heart, obtain for me the grace that
� and my child may be protected from all danger.
l Mary, Mother of my Saviour, I remind you of the unspeak­
able joy you felt when, after" three days of painful seeking,
you again found your divine Son .. Through this joy, obtain
for me the grace to bring, into the world a healthy and, well-.
formed child,

'

': Most glorious Virgin Mary, I remind you of the heavenly
joy that flooded your maternal heart when your Son appeared
to you after His Resurrection.. Through this great joy, obtain
for my child the blessings of holy baptism, so that my child
may be admitted to the Church, the Mystical Body of your
Divine Son, and to the company of all the saints. Amen ..



Prayers for the Catholic Farnily

CHILDREN'S P"RA YER
FOR "THEIR PARENTS

ALMIGHTY and Everlasting God, You have called us into
life by means of our parents who thereby share in Your divine
power. Mercifully hear the prayer of childlike love which we
offer to You for those, with whom You have shared

- Your

fatherly kindness, that they might lavish upon us, on our
journey through life, the consoling gift of Your holy and gen­
erous love.

Dear Lord, fill our parents with Your choicest blessings
and enrich their souls with Your holy grace. Grant that they
may faithfully and constantly guard that likeness to Your
spiritual union with Your Church which You have im­

printed upon them on their wedding day. Fill them with
Your spirit of holy fear, which is the beginning of wisdom,
and-enable. them to impart it always to their children. Thus

may they ever walk in the way of Your commandments; and

may their children be their joy in this earthly exile and their
crown of glory in their heavenly home. .

Finally, Lord God, grant that both our 'father and our
mother may reach a ripe old age and enjoy continuous health
iri mind and body. May they deserve to sing Your praises

.

. forever in our heavenly homeland together with us, their
children. May they give You abundant thanks for having be­
stowed upon them in this valley of" tears the great privilege

. of sharing in Your infinite fruitfulness and Your divine
fatherhood. Amen.

.



Prayers for .Help in One's Vocation 37

PRA YERS FOR HELP

)IN ONE'S VOCATION

FOR CHOOSING ONÈ'S VOCATION
GOD of wisdom and of counsel; You see in my heart a sin­
cere desire to please You alone and to conform myself entirely
te Your holy Will in the choice of my state in life. Grant
me, I humbly implore' You, by the intercession of the Blessed
Virgin, my Mother, and my holy Parents, the grace to know
what state in life I should choose andto embrace it when
known, in order that thus I may seek Your glory and increase
it, work out my own salvation, and deserve the heavenly re­
ward which You have promised to those who do Your holy
WilL Amen.

300 days. (711)

FOR HOUSEWIVES .

Jesus, gentle Master who took pity on the housewife at
G{na whose wine had failed, help me nQW in the care of my
household. Give me strength and wisdom in my daily duties,
prudence in my management, and patience in. every trying
task.

.

; Mary, who kept the little home in Nazareth, watch over
me and help me especially when things go wrong. Make me '
skillful in every household art. Ask your Son to bless my
home as once before at your request He blessed the home of
the newly married couple of Cana. Watch over our family
Holy Family of Nazareth. Jesus, Mary.and Joseph, be with
us all the day. Amen.

FOR A GOOD HUSBAND OR. WIFE
Jesus, Lover of the young, the dearest Friend I have, in all

confidence I open my heart to You to beg Your light and
help in the important task of planning my future. Give me



38 Prayers for the Catholic Family
the light of Your grace, that I may decide wisely concerning
the person who is to be my partner through life.

Dearest Jesus, send me such a one -whom in Your divine
wisdom You judge best suited to be united with me in mar­
riage. May his (her) character reflect some of the traits of
Your own Sacred Heart. May he (she) be upright, loyal, pure,
sincere and noble, so that with united efforts and with pure
and unselfish love we both may strive to perfect ourselves
in soul and body, as well as the children it may please You
to entrust to our care. Bless our friendship before marriage;
may sin have no part in it, May our mutual love bind us so
closely that our future home may ever be most like Your own
at Nazareth.

'

Mary Immaculate, sweet Mother of the young, to your
special care I entrust the decision I am to make as to my future
husband (wife) . You are my Guiding Star J Direct me to the-­
person with whom I can best co-operate in doing God's holy
Will and with whom I can live in peace, love, and harmony
in this life and attain to eternal joys in the next. Amen.

FOR STUDENTS

Holy Spirit, Giver of all good gifts, enter into my mind and
heart. Give me the gift of knowledge and the grace to use it
wisely. Help me in all my endeavors. Give me perseverance
and fortitude. Help my memory, that I may remember what
I learn and recall it when necessary. Guide me in the class­

room. You who are the Way, the Truth and the Life, let me
not be deceived by false teaching. Our Lady of Good Studies,
pray for me. Amen.

Most Holy Virgin Mary, when you bore Jesus �ur Saviour,
•

you shed the everlasting Light upon the world. Mother of
divine knowledge, whose merciful intercession has obtained



Prayers for Help in One's Vocation 39
the grace of an increase in knowledge and piety for countless
minds that were unlettered and ignorant, I choose you, as the
guide. and patroness of my studies. ' ,

Mother of successful studies, through your prayers may the
Holy Spirit fill my soul with light and courage, prudence
and. humility. May He give me good will, intelligence, mèm­
ory, ability, and above all, a spirit of docility in mind .and
heart, that I may act in all things according to the counsels
of divine Wisdom.

.

Good Mother, defend me against the spirit of pride and.
presumption, of vain curiosity and instability. Keep me from
every occasion of falling; keep me from all erroneous opinions
and from all things that might corrupt my faith and disturb

,
the clearness of my understanding, the purity of my heart,
and the peace of my soul. .

Mary, grant that under your protection I may ever be obe­
dient to the directions and; teachings of the holy Church, my
.Mother, and may advance in the way of truth and virtue
surely, courageously, and, without' wavering. May I at last
attain to the knowledge, the IDve, and the everlasting posses­
sion of Jesus Christ, your SDn; our Lord. Amen.

500 days. (765)

FOR WORKERS
O God of the poor and the humble, who was born in a

stable and worked in a carpenter's shop, look down in pity
on the workers of this world. Give us work that we may keep
'our families in comfort and live without fear. Teach us to be

. contentwith our lot and never let us be tempted to dishonesty.
When it seems necessary to fight against injustice, O God of
might and right, send Your Holy Spirit upon us that we may
know what is right and have strength to do it. Protect us
from violence and give us peace. Good Saint Joseph, friend
of the workman, pray for us .. Amen.



40 Prayers for the Catholic Family
FOR THOSE IN THE MILITARY SERVICES

Lord Jesus Christ, Saviour of the world and King of Peace,
to Your most Sacred Heart I dedicate my life in the service

of my country. I consecrate to You, through the hands of
Your Blessed Mother, my soul, my body, my actions, and all
that I am, for Your honor and glory and for the salvatiori
of my soul..

l

Preserve me, dear Lord, from .the spiritual and moral
dangers of military life. Help me to obey Your command­
ments, to receive the Sacraments ferquently, and to pray fer­
vently. Keep my body pure and my soul holy. Give me cour­
age to serve and defend our country with honor and dignity.
And may my faith be so deep that it will make all pain more
bearable and death itself a martyr's sacrifice.

Sacred Heart, be ever with me in danger; strengthen me
in hardships; console me in sadness. And when my time of
service is over, may I return sound in mind, body, and soul
to my loved ones at horne to enjoy the peace of a truly Catholic
life.

Mary Immaculate, Patroness of our beloved country, pro­
tect me from evil and help me tò love you and your loving
Son with all my heart so that I may serve worthily my God
and my country. Amen.



Part 2'

,

Prayers for Every Day



 



MORNING PRAYERS

Prayers for Every Day

C OME, Holy Spirit, enlighten my mind and strengthen mywill that I may say my prayers devoutly.
Most Holy Trinity, I adore You with childlike reverence

and love. I praise and thank You for the great love and
fatherly kindness in which You have created, redeemed, and
sanctified me. With my whole heart I thank You for having
preserved me during the past night and for having granted
me this new day. Out of gratitude for all these graces and
favors, I wish to love You with my whole heàrt, my whole,
soul, my whole mind, and all my strength.

My God, I dedicate to You anew my body and my soul. I
offer up to You all my thoughts and words, actions and suf­
ferings of this day, to please Yon, to honor You, to give You
thanks for all the graces received, to make reparation for all
the offenses committed against You, and to implore' the tri­
umph of the Church, especially the conversion of pagans and
sinners and the fulfillment of all the intentions of the Sacred
Heart of Jesus.

Jesus, my Divine Redeemer, in Your Sacred Heart, in Your
blood shed for us, in all Your holy labors here on earth, and
in all the Holy Masses which will be offered throughout the
'whole world today, I commend my actions, as well as those
of my relatives and of all mankind. I also desire to gain today
as many indulgences as I can.

/



44 Prayers for the Catholic Family
Holy Spirit, Guide and Ruler of hearts, fill my weak heart

with the strength of Your all-powerful grace, so that today all
my actions may be in accord with Your divine Will.

I Holy Virgin Mary, Mother, of Jesus and my Mother, keep
me from all sin. Protect me in all dangers òf soul and body
Help me today to perform my duties most faithfully so that
I may glorify God and save my soul.

Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom His love com­
mits me here; ever this day be at my side, to light and guard,

'

to rule and guide. Amen ..
300 days. (452)

Saint Joseph and my holy Patron Saint, be my protectors
today and forever, especially in the hour of my death.

Praised, be Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen

MORNING OFFElUNGS

My God, I 6fter You all my actions of this day for the inten­
tions and for the glory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I desire
to sanctify every beat of my heart, my' every thought, my sim...

plest words and works, by uniting them to Its infinite merits
I wish to make reparation for my sins by casting them into the
furnace of Its merciful love.

My God, I ask of You, for myself and for those whom I
hold dear, the graceto fulfill perfectly Your holy Will, to ac­
cept for love of You ille joys and sorrows of this passing life,
so that we may one day be united together in heaven for all
eternity. Amen. (St. Therese of the Child Jesus)

\
C

,Lord Jesus Christ, in union with that divine intention with
which You offered to God Your praises on earth through
Your most Sacred Heart, and now offer them in the sacra

.ment of the Eucharist everywhere even to the end of time, I



Morning Prayers 45
most gladly offer You throughout this entire day, all my

,thoughts and intentions, all my affections and desires, all my
words -and deeds, in imitation of the most holy heart of the
.Blessed Virgin Mary Immaculate.

3 years. (97)-*

My God, I adore You, and I love You with all my heart. I
thank You for having created me, made me a Christian, and
preserved me this night. I offer You the actions of this day.
Grant that all of them may be in accordance with Your holy
Will and for Your greater glory. Protect me from sit;l and
from all evil. Let Your grace be always with me. Amen.

500 days. (61)

Lord Jesus, I unite myself to Your perpetual, unceasing,
universal Sacrifice. I offer myself to You every day of my life
and every moment of every day, according to Your most holy
and adorable Will. Since You have been the Victim of my
salvation, I wish to be thevictim of Your love. Accept my
desire, take my offering, and graciously hear my' prayer. Let
me live for love of You; 1et me die for love of You; let my
last heartbeat be an act of perfect love.

560 days. (104)

FOR BLESSING UPON THE DAY
O Lord, into Your hands and into the hands of Your holy

angels this day I entrust my soul, my relatives, my bene­
factors, my friends and enemies, and all Your Catholic people.

O Lord, by the merits and prayers of the Blessed Virgin
Mary and of all Your saints, keep us today from all evil and
unruly desires, from all sins and temptations of the devil,
from a sudden and unprovided death, and from the pains of
�a

-



3 years, (55) *.

46 Prayers for the Catholic Family
Enlighten my heart with the grace -0£ Your Holy Spirit.

Grant that I may ever be obedient to Your commandments.
Let me never be separated from You, o God, who live and

� reign with God the Father and the same Holy Spirit forever
Amen. (St. Edmund)

Lord God Almighty, You have brought us safely to the be;"
ginning of this day. Defend· us in it by Your mighty power,
that this day we may not fall into sin but that all our words'

.may be spoken and all our thoughts and actions directed in
such a manner- as always to be

.

pleasing in Your sight.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

500 days. (21)

5 years (60)"

Lord, we beg of You; go before us with Your gracious in­
spiration -in all our doings and help us. with your continual
assistance, that our every prayer and work may begin from
You and be duly ended by You. Through Christ our Lord,'
Amen ..

300 days. (680)

Merciful Lord, You are never weary of speaking to my poor
heart. Grant me grace that, if today I hear Your voice, my
heart may not be hardened,

'

300 days. (33)

o Lord, deign to keep us from sin this day.

NIGHT PRA Y·ERS

Come, Holy Spirit, enlighten my mind and strengthen my
will that I may say my prayers devoutly.



Night Prayers 47
My God and Father, praise and thanks to You for the

undeserved love with which You have protected me today
in so many dangers of body and soul and for all the graces
and favors I have received from You. This day has now
passed, but my works shall follow after me. Grant that when
my last" hour comes, all evil may be atoned for, and all the
duties You have entrusted to me may be faithfully finished.

Holy Spirit, enlighten my mind that I may clearly see my
sins; move my heart that I may be truly sorry for them and
amend my life.

(Pause to examine your consclence.)

My God and Father, have mercy on me according to Your
great mercy. I am deeply sorry for all my sins. because I
have deserved to be punished by You, the all-knowing and

. just Judge, in this life and in the lifeto come, but much more
because I have offended and grieved You, the most high and
most lovable Good. Pardon me, O God! I am firmly resolved
never to offend You again. Help me- with Your grace.

Eternal Father, I offer You the Precious Blood of Jesus
Christ in atonement for my sins and for all the intentions of
our Holy Church. "

-

God Holy Spirit, Father of love and holiness, fill my heart
with the fire of Your love, that I may serve You with a chaste

"­

body and please YQU with a pure heart.
In Your name, O Lord, I take my rest, Grant that my every'

breath may praise and glorify You. Have mercy on the sick,
on poor sinners now in the sleep of spiritual death, on all men
who need Your help; as also on the suffering souls in purga­
tory. And to me grant the grace that I may always rest in
and be ever zealous in doing Your holy Will.

Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus, and after Him my
only hope, my Guardian Angel, Saint Joseph, and my holy



48 Prayers for the Catholic Family
Patron Saint, protect me during this night and during mYi
whole life, especially in the hour of my death.

For the conversion of the whole world, for the intentions
of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and for my own intentions:

Our Father. Hail Mary.

For the poor souls in' purgatory: Good Lord Jesus, give
unto them eternal rest! My Jesus, mercy! Jesus, Mary, Jo­
seph! Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual
light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

For a happy death: Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I give you my heart
and my soul! Jesus, Mary, Joseph, assist me in my last agony'

. Jesus, Mary, Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with

you!
,

7 years for each invocation. (636)

Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen.

FOR. BLESSING FOR TJIE NIGHT

Jesus Christ, my God, I adore You and thank Yòu for
all

the graces You have given me this day. I offer You my sleep
and all the moments of this night, and I beg of You to keep
me without sin. Therefore, I put myself within Your sacred
side 'and under the mantle of Our Lady, my Mother. Let
Your holy angels stand about me and keep me in peace,

and

let Your blessing be upon me. (St. Alphonsus Liguori)
3 years. (99)

I adore You, my God, and I love You with all my heart. I

thank You for having created me, for having made me a

Christian, and for having preserved me this day. Pardon me
for the evil I have done today. If I have done anything good,
be pleased to accept it. Protect me while I take my rest

and

deliver me from all dangers May Your grace be always
with me. Amen.

500 days.. (63)



Prayers During the Day 49

O Lord, we. pray You to visit this home and drive far from.
it all snares of the enemy. Let Your holy angels dwell in it

.

to preserve us in peace and let Your blessing be always upon
us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

5 years. (62)
.

o Lord, deign to keep us from sin this night.
500 days. (21)

PRA YERS DURING THE DA Y

THE SIGN OF THE CRpSS
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy

Ghost. Amen.

THE DOXOLOGY

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.

THE LORD's PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name,
Thy Kingdom come; Thy Will be done on earth as it is in
heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and
lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

THE ANGELICAL SALUTATION
Hail Mary, full of grace! the Lord is with thee; blessed art

thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,
Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now
and at the hour of our death. Amen.



50 Prayers for the Catholic Family
THE ApOSTLES� CREED

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven
and earth; and in. Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin
Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and

-

was buried. He "descended into hell; the third day He arose
again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, sitteth at the
right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He
shall come to judge the living and the dead. J believe in the
Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of
saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body,

.

and life everlasting. Amen. .

THE ANGELUS
" The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived by the Holy Ghost. Hail Mary, etc.
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to thy word. Hail Mary, etc.
V. And the Word was made flesh.
R. And dwelt among us. Hail Mary, etc.
v. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. " That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.
"

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our
hearts; that as we have known the incarnation of Christ Thy
Son by the message of an angel, so, by His Passion and Cross,
we may be brought to theglory of His Resurrection. Through
the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

10 years. (331)11

GRACE BEFORE MEALS
Bless us, O Lord, and these Your gifts which we are about

,to receive from Your bounty. Through Christ our. Lord.
Amen.



Prayers During the pay 51
GRACE AFTER MEALS

We give You thanks, Almighty God, for all Your benefits,
who live and reign world without end. Amen.

300 days. (683)

May it please You, O Lord, to reward with eternal life 'àll
- those who do good to us for Your Name's sake, Amen.

300 days. (666)

v. Let us praise the Lord.­
R. Thanks be to God.
V. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the

mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen.

3 years. (36)*

ACTS OF THE THÉOLOGICAL VIRTUES AND OF CbNTRITI'ON
FAITH

O my God, I firmly believe that YQU are one God in three
Divine Persons, 'Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. I believe that
Your Divine Son became Man and died for our sins, and
that ,He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe
these and all the truths which- the Holy' Catholic Church
teaches, because You have revealed them, who can neither
deceive nor be deceived..

,HOPE
O my God, relying on Your almighty power and infinite

mercy and promises, I 'hope to obtain pardon of my sins,
the help of Your grace, and life everlasting, through the
merits of Jesus Christ, my. Lord arid Redeemer.

3 years. (36)·

LOVE

O my God, I love You above all things with my whole



52 Prayers. for' the Catholic Famt"ly
.

heart and soul, because You are all-good and worthy of all
love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of You. I for­
give all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom
.I have .injured,

3 years. (36)-

5 years. (42)-

CONTRITION

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You,
and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss' of heaven
and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend You,
my God, who are all-good and deserving of all my love. I
firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins,
to-do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

..

3 years. (36)-

EJACULATORY PRAYERs
My God, I believe in You, I hope in You, I love You above all
things with all my soul, with all my heart, and with all my
strength. I love You because You are infinitely good and
worthy of being loved; and because I love You, I repent with
all my heart of having offended You., Have mercy on me, a
sinner. Amen.

300 days. (37)

I believein You, I hope in You, I love You, I adore You, O
Blessed Trinity, one God.Have mercy on me now and at the
hour of my death and save me.

300 days. (40)

Almighty and Eternal God,.give us an increase of faith, hope
� and charity; and, that we may deserve to obtain what You

promise, make 11s love what You command. Through Christ
our Lord. Amen....

FAITH

Most Holy Trinity, we adore You and through Mary we im-



Prayers During the Day 53
plore You: give to all mankind unity in the faith and courage
faithfully to profess it.

500 days. (39)*

My God, make us to be of one mind in the truth and of one
heart "in charity.

300 days. (It))

Lord, increase our faith.
500 days. (38)·

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Your love for me.
300 days. (230)

HOPE

Heart of love, I put all my trust in You; for I fear all things
from my own weakness but I hope for all things from Your
goodness.

'

300 days. (232)

Heart of Jesus, I put my trust in You.
300 days. (226)

LOVE

Most Holy Trinity, dwelling in my soul by Your grace, make
me love You more and more.

'

300 days. (l2)

My God, grant that I may ,love You, 'and, let the only reward
of my love be to love You more and more.

"

300 days '( 6)

My God, I love Y�:m.
300 days. (39)

,

O my soul, love the Love that loves you from eternity.
300 days. (41)

Jesus, my God, I love You above all things..
300 days. (72)

My [esus, ,You are Love itself. Enkindle in my heart that



54 Prayers for the Catholic Family
divine fire which consumes the saints and transforms them
into You.

300 days. (74)
-_

Jesu�, for love of You, with You, and for You.
360 days. (81)

Jesus, with all my heart I cling to You.
360 clays. (83)*

Sweet Heart of my Jesus, grant that I may always love You
more.

,

360 days. (224)·

· Heart of [esus, burning with love for us, set our hearts on fire
with love of You.

500 days. (225)*

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Your love for me.
360 days. (230)

THE' HOLY SACRIFICE OF- THE MASS

Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love.
soe clays. (237)

Sacred Heart of Jesus, let me love You and make You loved.
300 days. (240)

PREPARATION FOR THE SACRIFICE
I SPEAK TO GOD

( Confiteor to the Epistle)
IN the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost. Amen. I come to Your altar, O God, for You alone
can make my heart happy in this Holy Mass.

But before I give You Jesus in this Holy Mass, I beg You
to cleanse my soul from sin.



The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass 55
1. Con fiteor
Forgive me, O God,

For disobeying Your commandments,
For turning away from You by sin,
For bringing death to my soul by losing Your grace,
For being so ungrateful to You when You have been so

good to me,
For wounding Your loving Heart,
For nailing Jesus to the Cross- by my sin.

I am sorry for my sins, not only because I should be pun­
ished for them, but above all because I have injured You, my
God, who are so good. You deserve all my love.

I confess to Almighty God, to the Blessed Virgin Mary, to
all the saints, and to the whole Church that I have sinned
in thought, word, and deed, through my own fault.

Have mercy on me, O GodI Forgive me ply sins and bring
me to everlasting life. Help me to offer this Holy Mass with
a pure heart. Fill my heart with joy by giving me Jesus and
Your grace in Holy Communion.

'

I

2. The Kyrie
Have mercy on me.O God!

God the Father, my Creator and my Father, have mercy
,

on me! God the Son, my Brother and my Saviour, have mercy
on mel God the Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier of my soul by
grace, have mercy on mel

Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, have
mercy on me and forgive me my sins, that I may offer up this
Holy Mass to You with a clean heart.

3. The Gloria

Glory be to You, O God in heaven. May You give peace to
all people on earth! I praise YQU, I thank You, I adore You!



56 Prayers for the Catholic Family
-

Jesus, Lamb of God, Son of the Heavenly Father! O Jesus,
since YQU take away the sins of the world, have mercy on me
and hear my prayer. You are the most holy God. Forgive me
and take away my sins.

4. Prayers
I pray to You, O God; for the grace
To keep Your commandments and never to offend You by

sin;
-

To listen to the voice of Your grace;
To love my neighbor as myself;
To save my soul;
To be happy with You ip. heaven forever.
I also ask these samegraces for my mother and father, my

brothers and sisters, my relatives and friends, and for the
whole world, through Jesus Christ, our Lo�d. Amen.' ,

GOD SPEAKS TO ME

(Epistle to the Offertory)
1. The Epistle ,

Teach me, O God, through this letter which Your Apostle
wrote to us.

He is Your messenger.
. "As a good and loving child of God, be kind, humble,
and pure. Be patient with one another and forgive, one
another, just as our Lord has forgiven you. But, above
al!, love God and one another; this is true holiness. Let
the word of Jesus live in your hearts. Pray to God.

, "Whatever you do, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ, giving thanks to God the, Father through. Jesus
Christ, our Lord." (St. Paul's letter to the Colossians,
Chapter 3.)

I thank You, O God, for teaching mel



The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass 57
2. The Gospel

Teach me, O God, through Jesus, Your 'own Divine Son]

And seeing the crowds, Jesus went up to the mountain.
And when He was seated, His disciples came to Him. He
iàught them saying:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be com­

forted.
Blessed are they toho hunger end thirst for justice, for

they shall be satisfied�
Blessed are the merciful, for t.hey shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called

children of God.
. i

Blessed are they who suffer'persecution for justice's
sake, [or theirs is the -kingdom of heaven." (From the

Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 5.)

I thank You, Jesus, for Your holy words. Help me to do
what You teach me.

3. Credo
O my.God, I believe all the truths which the Holy Catholic

Church teaches because You have made them known.
I believe that the Holy Mass is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

This sacrifice is not offered in a bloody manner as it once
was on Calvary, but it is offered on this altar in an unbloody
manner, under the appearances of bread and wine. Lord
Jesus, strengthen my faith. Amen.



58 Prayers for the Catholic Family

THE SACRIFICE

MY GIFT TO GOD-MYSELF

I. Offertory
O God, I offer You this bread in place ofmyself, Upon

this golden paten I offer You my body and soul, my thoughts
and words and actions-my whole life.

By this gift I want to tell You that I adore You as my Cre­
ator, obey You as my Father, and love You as my dearest
Friend.

Please accept this gift. Take away what does not please You
in it. May this offering help all the faithful, living and dead.
May it take away my sins and those of the whole world, May
it save the souls of all of us.

O God, I offer You this wine in place of myself. Into the
chalice I put all my joys, pains, and sufferings, so that they
may be offered for Your honor, I humbly offer You all my
needs and prayers and all the needs and prayers of the people
I love. Please accept these gifts through the hands of the
priest. May this offering be pleasing to You' and win pardon
and salvation for the whole world.

Come, Holy Spirit, and bless these gifts of bread and wine,
which we offer for the honor of the most Blessed Trinity.

As the priest washes his hands, so wash my soul from sin,
O God, that it may always be pure and innocent. Have mercy
on me and do not let me offend You again.

I beg You, once more, to-accept these gifts of bread and
wine, O most Holy Trinity, in honor of the Passion, Resur­
rection, and Ascension of Jesus, and in honor of the Blessed
Virgin and all the saints. May they pray tor us all that we may
save our souls and reach heaven. Through Jesus Christ, our
Lord. Amen.



The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass 59

MY GIFT TO GOD--JESUS

II. Consecration
1. The' Preface

As Jesus thanked You, His 'Father, at the Last Supper, for
the great miracle of the Holy Eucharist, so now I lift my heart
to thank Yòu with Him for the blessings of this great Sacra­
ment. It is right that I should thank You at all times through
Jesus Christ, our Lord, through whom. the angels praise and
adore Your divine majesty and holiness. I join my voice with
theirs as they sing forever in heaven:

"Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth
are full' of Your glory."

Thanks be to You, dear Jesus, for coming to us in the Narne
of the Lord in this Holy Mass.

2. The Canon -

As Jesus prayed for His Church at the Last Supper, so now
I join the priest in praying to You, most merciful Father,
through Jesus, Your Son, our Lord, that You may kindly
accept and bless this sacrifice, this gift .of bread and wine,
which takes my place on the altar, and will soon bé changed

I into the Body and Blood of Jesus.
I offer this sacrifice to You for the whole Catholic Church.

Grant her peace. Protect and guide her throughout the whole
world. Bless our Holy Father, and our Bishop, and all those
who believe in You.

Bless my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, my
family, my relatives and friends, especially: (here mention
those you want to remember). Bless all those near and dear
to me for whom I am offering this Mass, that through this
Saèrifice we may all save our souls and one day be with You
in heaven.



60 Prayers for the Catholic Family .
I unite myself with the Blessed Virgin Mary' and alI Your

saints, in whose prayers for us I have the greatest confidence
Please accept our gift, O God, and because of this Sacrifice,

give us peace. Do not let us lose our souls but" lead us to
heaven. Bless our gift with the greatest blessing: change the
bread and wine into the Body and Blood-of Jesus, Your dear-
est Son.

.

3. The Consecration
As the priest whispers over the bread the same words which

You spoke at the Last Supper-THIs IS MY BODY-a miracle
takes place! You change that bread into Your own Body
through Your own power which You have given to the priest.
I look at the Sacred Host, and in adoration I say: MY LORD
AND MY GODI

'

Jesus, for You I Iive] [esus, for You I die! \

J esus, I am Yours in life and in death!
As the priest whispers over the wine, THI� IS MY BLOOD, I be­

lieve" that You change the wine into Your own Blood which
was shed for me on the Cross. I look at the holy chalice,
and in adoration I say: MY LORD AND MY GODI.

Hail, true Blood of my Jesus, shed for me on the Cross.
Cleanse my heart from sin and save my soul!

4. After the Consecration.
I give You Jesus, O GodI He is present here on this altar

under the appearances of bread and wine. He is our Sacrifice.

Kindly accept this pure and holy Sacrifice. As Abel killed a
lamb and burned all of it and offered it to You as a sacrifice,
so I now offer You Your dear Son Jesus, the Lamb of God
who takes away the sins of the world by His Death on the
Cross.



..
.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass 61
I believe that His Sacrifice is now offered again in this Holy

Mass, not in a bloody manner as on Calvary, but in an un­
bloody manner. On" this altar He offers Himself to You
with thesame love and obedience to Your holy Will as He
offered Himself onthe Cross. His desir�' is to wash away our

"

sins aad to give us the graces He bought for us by His suf­
ferings and death.

I offer myself with You, O Jesus! I join all my thoughts,
words, actions, sufferings, and joys with Your Sacrifice. I
want to become one sacrifice to the heavenlyFather together
with You. I am ready to accept from God all that He may
send me-whether joys or sufferings. I Want to do God's Will
with the' same love and obedience that You offer Yourself in
this Holy Mass, I know that my actions and sufferings and
my whole life will be very pleasing to God because I am
offering myself with You.

O God, remember our dead. I pray for the poor souls in
purgatory, especially (here mention the souls you want to
pray for). Grant to them a place of rest, light, and peace in
Your heavenly kingdom, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. -

And also forgive us, poor sinners, who trust in Your mercy.
Give us the grace to reach heaven and be happy with You and
all the saints.,

Through JESUS and with JESUS and in JESUS, may honor
and glory be given to You, o HEAVENLY FATHER, and to You,

.

Ò HOLY SPIRIT, forever. Amen.

con's GIFT TO 'ME
III. Communion

"

1. Our Rather
I pray to You as Jesus taught us:
Our Father, who art in heaven,



62 � Prayers, for the Catholic Family
Hallowed be Thy Name,
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, '-
But deliver us from 'evil. Amen.
I beg for my daily Bread of Holy Communion. Keep me'

from sin and give peace to the world, through Jesus in Holy
Communion.

2. Agnus. Dei
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have

mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who, takest away the sins of the world, have

mercy on us ..
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, give

us peace ..

3.. Prayers before Communion:
Jesus, who said to the Apostles % "Peace I leave with you, my

peace I give to you," give peace to Your holy Church and to
me, a poor sinner. Jesus give me Yourself in Holy Commun­
ion. May the receiving of Your Body and Blood keep me
from all dangers, especially from sin, and make me always
obey Your commandments. Ne�er let me lose You again by
sin.

Jesus, let Holy Communion be like a medicine that will
heal my sick soul and help me to love You as You want me
to love You.

Lord, I am not worthy that Yau should come into my heart,
but say only one word, and,my soul will be healed. (3 times)



The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
(Note: If you are not going to receive Holy Communion, make this Act of

Spiritual Communion:)
Jesus, my Saviour, You are truly present in the Blessed

Sacrament to be the Food of my soul. Since I cannot now re­
ceive You in this Sacrament, I beg Yau to come to me in a
hidden way by spiritual Communion.

I love You above all things, and I want to have Yau in my
heart. Come and give light to my mind and strength to my
will. Fill my heart with a great love for You. Unite me so

closely with You that I may be more like You, and that I
may no longer live, but You may live. and rule in me forever.

O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine!
All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine!

4. Prayers after Communion
Jesus, may Your Body and Blood which I have received

change me more and more into Yourself, through Your holy
grace. Do not let any stain of sin remain in me. May this
sacrament keep me pure and holy.

My Heavenly Father, I have given Jesus to You on this
altar as the best gift I can offer You :

A-to adore You, my God and Creator.
'�to love You, my best Friend, who loves me and is ever

kind to me.
T-to thank You for all the good things You have given

me for my body and my soul.
A-to ask You to give to me, to those whom I love, andto

the whole world, Your graces and blessings.
R-to make reparation for all the sins by which I and all

men have grieved Your loving Heart.
At Holy Communion You have given me the best gift

that You can give me: Your own dearest Son, Jesus. When I
received Him, all the graces which He bought for me on the



64 Prayers for the Catholic Family
Cross and which He offers me in this Mass have come to me.
I thank You, my Heavenly Parher, for Your gift. May Jesus
make me holy through Communion so that I may see God
foreverinheaven.J\men.

5. The Blessing
I now kneel down to beg You to bless me: In the name of­

the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen,

6. The Last Gospel
Jesus, I believe that You are the Son of God, the Second

Person of the most Blessed Trinity, equal to the Father and
the Holy Spirit. You never had a beginning and will never
have an end. You lived with God from all eternity.

Jesus, I believe that You became man and were born of the
Blessed Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit. You
offered Your Body and Blood as a sacrifice for me on the
Cross. You redeemed me by Yòur suffering aner death.

Jesus, I believe that You rose from the dead, ascended into
heaven, and now live in glory with Your Father and the Holy
Spirit. You will come as a glorious .King to judge all men.

Thank You, dearest Jesus, for all You have done. to sav�
my soul. Thank You for this Holy Mass. May the graces
and blessings of this Holy Sacrifice stay with me today and
every day of my life.

O Blessed Virgin Mary, my Mother, thank Gòd for me.
Thank Him for Holy Mass and help me never to forget that

HOLY MASS

IS MY GREAtEST GIFT TO GOD

AND

GOD'S GREATEST GIFT TO ME.



 



GU�LD FAMILY READERS
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GFR 126. THE PASSION

GFR 127. THE FIFTEEN MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY

GFR 128. FOLLOW THE MASS

GFR 129. THE CHRISTMAS STORY

GFR 130. BLUEPRINT FOR ENSLAVEMENT

GFR 132. MARY TALKS TO US

GFR 133. YOU AND YOUR ANGEL

GFR 134. HOW YOU CAN SHARE YOUR FAITH

GFR 135. CRISIS IN HISTORY

GFR 136. YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD

GFR 137. M.EDITATIONS FOR THE FAMILY ROSARY

GFR 138. THE ANSWER TO COMMUNISM

GFR 139. BLESSED MARTIN DE PORRES

GFR 140. WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

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GFR 141. THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

GFR 142. SAINT PIUS X

GFR 143. HOW TO MAKE A GOOD CONFESSION

GFR 144. THE GOSPEL IN ACTION

GFR 145. WHEN THEY START GOING STEADY

GFR 147. JESUS CHRIST, SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD

GFR 148. LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY

GFR 155. THE POPE TALKS ABOUT LABOR RELATIONS

GFR 156. INDULGENCED PRAYERS

GFR 157. THE MIRACLE OF FATIMA

GFR 158. WHAT EVE,RY CATHOLIC SHOULD KNOW

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your parish pamphlet rack, through your
Catholic book dealer. or on direct order from

CATECHETICAL GUILD

EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY
260 Summit Avenue, St. Paul 2, Minnesota