^Oe\j)





MY

FAVORITE PRAYERS

nO** ®«-

Compiled by

REV. ALBERT A. MURRAY
of the

PAULIST FATHERS



Imprimi Potest

—

James F. Cunningham, C.S.P.,
Superior General.

September 17, 1946

Nihil Obstat

—

Rev. John A. McMahon,
Censor Librorum.

Imprimatur

—

t Samuel Cardinal Stritch,
Archbishop of Chicago.

September 11, 1946

First Edition 1946

Second Edition 1948

Third Edition 1949

J. S. PALUCH

2712 N. ASHLAND AVE.

CO., Inc.

CHICAGO 14, ILL.



MY FAVORITE PRAYERS -3

Morning Prayer

O my God; I offer Thee all my actions of
this day for the intentions and for the glory

of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I desire to sanc-

tify every beat of my heart, my every thought,
my simplest works, by uniting them to Its
infinite merits; and I wish to make reparation

for my sins by casting them into the furnace
of Its merciful love.

O my God! I ask of Thee for myself and for
those whom I hold dear, the grace to fulfil per-
fectly Thy Holy Will, to accept for love of Thee

the joys and sorrows of this passing life, so

that we may one day be imited in Heaven for
all Eternity. Amen.

The Little Flower,

The Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that any one who fled
to thy protection, implored thy help or sought

thy intercession, was ever left unaided. In-

spired with this confidence, I fly unto thee,

O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee 1
come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.

O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not
my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and
answer me. Amen.



4- MY FAVORITE PRAYERS

Morning Prayers

Sweet Jesus, lay Your wounded Hand upon

my head and bless me. Stretch forth that
same dear Hand and bless each one at home.

(Name them) And now give me Your Crook,
I will return it to You tonight, and help me to
go around in Your Fold, just for today, doing

Your work in Your way.

Do not let the human in me spoil anything
You give me to do. Push me back when I
would go wrong and make me go forward
when I am afraid to do right. Be with me in
my dealings with each soul with whom I come
in contact and grant each may know, love and
serve You better for having passed me by.

One favor more. You will not think me
presumptuous for You understand me. I wont

to know, love and serve You better than any-

one else on earth and when life's little day
is ended and its task complete, give me a
place at Your Feet to rest for all eternity.

My dearest Lord, what wilt Thou send me
today? Humiliations, contradictions, physical

sufferings, painful intelligence which I do not

expect; an aching heart, a failure? Shall I

see myself misjudged, wrongly suspected,

despised? All that Thou wishest, O my God,
I accept it all in advance, and if I weep

through weakness, oh, regard it not; if I mur-

mur, check me; if I am forgetful, punish me;
if I am discouraged, raise me up. But through
it all, teach me to say, "Thy Will be done."



MY FAVORITE PRAYERS -5

Daily Offering

O my Jesus, I include myself in all the Holy
Masses which are celebro^ed this day through-

out the world, and offering them to Thee in

union with the intentions of Thy Sacred Heart,

I implore Thee to preserve for me, from each

Holy Mass, one drop of Thy most Precious

Blood to atone for my sins and their punish-
ment.

Grant me also the grace of obtaining, *

through the merits of every Holy Sacrifice, the

release of one poor soul from the pains of

Purgatory, the conversion of one sinner, and

also that one soul in the agony of death may
obtain mercy, and that one mortal sin, which

is so painful to Thy Sacred Heart, may be pre-
vented. Amen.

Jesus, Living In Mary

O Jesus, living in Mary! come and live in
Thy servants, in the spirit of Thy holiness, in

the fulness of Thy might, in the truth of Thy

virtues, in the perfection of Thy ways, in the

communion of Thy mysteries; subdue every

hostile power, in Thy spirit for the glory of the

Father. Amen.



6- MY FAVORITE PRAYERS

Today

Lord, for tomorrow and its needs, I do not pray;

Keep me, my God, from stain of sin, just for
today.

Let me both diligently work, and duly pray;

Let me be kind in word and deed, just for
today.

,
Let me be slow to do my will, prompt to obey;

Help me to mortify my flesh, just for today.

Let me no wrong or idle word, unthinking say;

Set thou a seal upon my lips, just for today.

Let me in season. Lord, be grave, in season
gay;

Let me be faithful to thy grace, just for today.

And if today, my tide of life should ebb away.

Give me Thy Sacraments divine. Sweet Lord,
today.

In Purgatory's cleansing fires brief be my stay;

O bid me, if today I die, come home today.

So for tomorrow and its needs I do not pray;

But guide me, guard me, keep me. Lord, just

for today.



MY FAVORITE PRAYERS -7

Learning Christ

Teach me, my Lord, to be sweet and gentle
in all. the events of life; in disappointments, in

the thoughtlessness of others, in the insincerity

of those I trusted, in the imfaithfulness of

those on whom I relied.

Let me put myself aside, to think of the
happiness of others, to hide my little pains and
heartaches, so that I may be the only one
to suffer from them.

Teach me to profit by the suffering that
comes across my path.

Let me so use it that it may mellow me, not
harden nor embitter me; that it may make me
patient, not irritable; that it may make me
broad in my forgiveness, not narrow, haughty
and overbearing.

May no one be less good for having come
within my influence. No one less pure, less
kind, less noble for having been a fellow-

traveler in our journey toward Eternal Life.

As I go my rounds from one distraction to
another, let me whisper, from time to time,
a word of love to Thee. May my life be lived
in the supernatural, full of power for good,

and strong in its purpose of sanctity.



8- MY FAVORITE PRAYERS

Daily Offerings—

AT MORNING

My God, I offer Thee
All thou appointest me;

All that the day may bring
Of joy or suffering;

All that Thou givest to-day;

All that Thou takest away;

All Thou would'st have me be;
My God, I offer Thee.

AT NOON

Lord, in Thy pierced hands

I lay my heart;
Lord, at Thy pierced feet

I choose my part;
Lord in Thy wounded side

Let me abide.

AT NIGHT

Now that the day doth end.
My spirit I commend
To Thee, my Lord, my Friend.

In Thy hands, yea. Thine,

Those glorious hands benign.

Those human hands divine.
My spirit I resign.



MY FAVORITE PRAYERS -9

Evening Prayers

O Divine Jesus! lonely tonight in so many
Tabernacles, without visitor or worshipper, I

offer Thee my loving heart, and may its every
pulsation be a prayer of love to Thee. Thou

art ever watching under the Sacramental Veil;

in Thy love Thou never sleepest, and Thou art

never weary of Thy vigils for sinners.

O lovely Jesus! O lonely Jesus! may my
heart be a lamp, the light of which shall burn

and beam for Thee alone.

O My Lord and Saviour, support me in my
last hour by the strong arms of Thy sacra-

ments, and the fragrance of Thy consolations.

Let Thy absolving words be said over me,

and the holy oil sign and seal me; and let

Thine own Body be my food, and Thy Blood
my sprinkling; and let Thy Mother Mary come
to me, and Thy glorious saints and my own
dear patrons smile on me, that in and through

them all I may die as I desire to live, in Thy
Church, in Thy Faith, and in Thy love. Amen.

O Lord, support us all the day long of this
troublous life, until the shades lengthen and

the evening comes, and the busy world is

hushed, the fever of life is over, and our work

is done. Then, Lord, in Thy mercy, grant us

a safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at the

last, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.



10- MY FAVORITE PRAYERS

To My Guardian Angel

Good night, my Guardian Angel dear!

I thank thee, spirit bright.

For thy sweet love and constant care

Thy guidance and thy light.

From sin and harm preserve me still

Nor let vain fears affright;

Conform my heart to God's dear will

Sweet Angel mine, good night!

Abide With Me

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide.

The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee.
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day,

Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away;

Change and decay in all around I see,

0 Thou, Who changes! not, abide with me.

1 need Thy presence every passing hour.

What but Thy grace con foil the tempter's

power?

Who like Thyself my guide and star can be?
Through cloud and sunshine. Lord abide with

me.



MY FAVORITE PRAYERS -11

De Profundiis

Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O
Lord; Lord, hear my voice.

Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my
supplication.

If Thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities; Lord,
who shall stand it?

For with Thee there is merciful forgiveness:

and by reason of Thy law, I have waited for

Thee, O Lord.

My soul hath relied on His word; my soul
hath hoped in the Lord.

From the morning watch even until night: let

Israel hope in the Lord.

Because with the Lord there is mercy: and

with Him plenteous redemption.

And He shall redeem Israel from all his in-
iquities.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.

:1c :1c ^ ^ H? *

O gentlest Heart of lesus, ever present in
the Blessed Sacrament, ever consumed with

burning love for the poor souls in Purgatory,

have mercy on the souls of Thy servants, bring

them from the shadows of exile to the bright

home of Heaven, where we trust. Thou and
Thy Blessed Mother have woven for them a
crown of unfading bliss. Amen.



12- MY FAVORITE PRAYERS

Prayer For a Happy Death

Jesus« My Divine Saviour, Thou didst choose
to pay the penalty of death upon the cross for

the sins of mankind. I now welcome death
as the just punishment of all the sins of my
life, and I accept calmly and gladly from

the hand of God whatever manner of death

it may please Him to send me, together with
all its pains, anguish, and suffering. May I,
O Lord, through Thy grace, turn to Thee with
perfect contrition now and at the dread mo-
ment of death.

Mary, Blessed Mother, I beseech thee to

pray for me now and at the hour of death.
May thy prayer win for me the grace to
prepare daily for death, and to be filled with

the desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ.

Saint Joseph, Patron of a happy death,

whose blessed privilege it was to die in the

arms of Jesus and Mary, obtain for me the
grace that I, too, may die in Their holy pres-
ence.

^

Grant me grace, O merciful God, to desire
ardently all that is pleasing to Thee, to exam-

ine it prudently, to acknowledge it truthfully,

and to accomplish it perfectly, for the praise

and glory of Thy name. Amen.

St. Thomas.



MY FAVORITE PRAYERS 13

My Lesson

Only to rest where He puts me.

Only to do His Will;

Only to be what He made me.

Though I be nothing still.

Never to look beyond me.

Out of my little sphere.

If I could fill another,

God would not keep me here.

Only take what He gives me.

Meek as a little child;

Questioning nought of the reason.

Joyful or reconciled.

Only to take what He gives me.

Patiently — gladly — today;
With never a thought of tomorrow.

Leaning on Him all the way.

Only to watch in the working.

Lest I should miss His smile.

Striving to still earth's voices.

Listening for His all the while.

Only to look to Him ever.

Only to rest at His Feet,

All that He sayeth, to do it.

Then shall my life be complete.



14- MY FAVORITE PRAYERS

To Our Lady

Mary, our Mother, Queen of Heaven, teach

us to bless the name of thy Divine Son. Help
us to extend His Kingdom on earth. Obtain

for us the grace that we, even as the Blessed

in heaven, may welcome the holy Will of
God. Help us to seek our daily bread, which

will nourish both soul and body. Beg for us

full measure of forgiveness, and obtain for

us the grace to forgive in like manner. Guide

us, that we enter not into temptation. O Blessed
Mother, beseech our Divine Savior that we
may be delivered from the evils that beset us
now and until the moment of our death. Amen.

Mary, Mother of Mercy, I beseech thee to

obtain for me the grace to avoid all grievous
sins, every deliberate venial sin, and the near

occasions of sin. I ask that, through a holy

life, I may save my own soul and, by my zeal
and good example, help to save the souls of

many others.

I beg of thee. Mother of Mercy, to obtain

for me the precious grace to receive worthily
the last Sacraments in the full possession of

all my faculties and thus through a good life
and a happy death I may glorify God through
Christ, forever. Amen.



MY FAVORITE PRAYERS -15

Prayer For All In Trouble

Holy Virgin, in the midst of your glorious days,

do not forget the sadness of earth. Cast a look

of goodness on those who are suffering, who
are fighting against difficulties.

Have Pity on those who love one another
and who have been separated.

Have pity on the loneliness of our hearts.

Have pity on the weakness of our faith.

Have pity on the objects of our love.

Have pity on those who are weeping, on
those who are praying, on those who are
seized with fear.

Give to all of us hope and peace with

Victory!

Amen.

O most Merciful Jesus, Lover of souls. I
pray Thee, by the agony of Thy most Sacred
Heart, and by the sorrows of Thine Immacu-
late Mother, cleanse in Thine Own Blood the
sinners of the whole world who are now in
their agony and who are to die this day.
Amen.



16- MY FAVORITE PRAYERS

Prayers to St. Joseph

To thee O blessed Joseph, we have recourse
in our affliction, and having implored the

help of thy thrice holy Spouse, we now with
hearts filled with confidence earnestly beg

thee also to take xis imder thy protection. By

that charity wherewith thou wert united to

the Immaculate Virgin, mother of God, and by

that fatherly love, with which thou didst cher-

ish the Child Jesus, we beseech thee and we
humbly pray that thou wilt look down with
gracious eye upon that inheritance which

Jesus Christ purchased by His blood, and wilt

succor us in our need by thy power and

strength.

Defend, O most watchful guardian of the
Holy Family, the chosen offspring of Jesus

Christ. Keep from us, O most loving Father,
all blight of error and corruption. Aid us from

on high, most valiant defender, in this conflict

with the powers of darkness. And even as of
old thou didst rescue the Child Jesus from the

peril of His life, so now defend God's Holy
Church from the snares of the enemy and

from all adversity. Shield us ever imder thy

patronage, that, imitating thy example and

strengthened by thy help, we may live a holy
life, die a happy death and attain everlasting

bliss in heaven. Amen.

Pope Leo XIIL



MY FAVORITE PRAYERS -17

O Blessed St. Joseph, tenderhearted father,
faithful guardian of Jesus, chaste spouse of the

Mother of God, I pray and beseech thee to

offer to God the Father, His divine Son, bathed

in blood on the cross for sinners, and through

the thrice holy Name of Jesus obtain for us
of the eternal Father the favor we implore.

Appease the Divine anger so justly inflamed

by our crimes, beg of Jesus mercy for thy

children. Amid the splendors of eternity for-
get not the sorrows of those who suffer, those
who pray, those who weep, stay the Almighty
arm which smites us, that by thy prayers and

those of thy most holy Spouse the Heart of

Jesus may be moved to pity and to pardon.
Amen.

Saint Joseph, pray for us.

Hi ^ ^ 4:

Lord Jesus, animate and vivify all in me,

my soul, my body, my senses, my powers, and
all my members direct them, bend them to
Thy desires alone. Govern my tongue that
it may know how to pray and to speak of Thy
benefits; my eyes that they may see Thy mar-
vels; my ears that they may listen to Thy
voice. Thy precepts and Thy counsels; my
heart that it may love Thee; my members
that all may work in harmony for Thy glory
and the salvation of my brethren. Amen.

Elizabeth of the Trinity.



18- MY FAVORITE PRAYERS

An Act of Trust

My Lord and my God, I believe all that Thou
hast ever taught.

There is nothing harder for me to believe
than Thy personal love for one so sinful and

so worthless as I am, but I do believe it. Lord,

and therefore, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place
my trust in Thee.

I believe that Thy love for me is not an
affair of yesterday. "Thou hast loved with an

everlasting love," and therefore O Sacred
Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee.

I believe Thy love for me is as tender as a
mother's love, and therefore, O Sacred Heart,
I place all my trust in Thee.

I believe Thou hast planned everything that

shall ever happen to me, lovingly and wisely,

and therefore, O Sacred Heart of Jesus I place
all my trust in Thee.

I will never seek pleasure forbidden by

Thee, because Thou knowest what is bad for

me and what is good, and I trust in Thee O
Sacred Heart of Jesus.

I will always pray, "Thy Will be done"

because I trust in Thee, O Sacred Heart of
Jesus.

I will accept the crosses of life, as I accept

the joys, with a grateful heart, because I trust

in Thee O Sacred Heart.
I will not be worried or anxious about any-

thing, because I trust Thee O Sacred Heart.



MY FAVORITE PRAYERS -19

I will never lose heart in my efforts to be
good, because I trust Thee O Sacred Heart.

However weak or sinful I may be, I will
never doubt Thy mercy, because O Sacred
Heart of Jesus I place my trust in Thee.

In all my temptations.

In all my weakness.

In all my difficulties.

In all my trials.

In all my sorrows.

In every failure.

In every discouragement.

In all my undertakings.

In life and in death.

In time and eternity,

I place my trust in Thee O Sacred Heart.

May the grace and blessing of the Sacred
Heart of Jesus be with me; may the peace of
the Sacred Heart encompass me; may the
merits of the Sacred Heart plead for me; may
the love of the Sacred Heart inflame me; may
the sorrows of the Sacred Heart console me;

may the zeal of the Sacred Heart animate me;
may the virtues of the Sacred Heart shine forth
in my every word and every work; and may
the joys of the Beatific Vision be my eternal
recompense. Amen.



20- MY FAVORITE PRAYERS

Prayers Before Communion

My God, help me to make a good Com-
munion. To Thy glory and for the good of

my soul I wish to receive the Most Holy
Sacrament. Mary, my Mother, pray to Jesus
for me. My good angel guardian, lead me
to the altar of God. My patron saints, pray
for me that I may receive the Lord with a
heart that is pleasing to Him and with great
profit to my soul.

Dear Jesus, Thou art here present with Thy

angels. My heart and thoughts are known
to Thee; I am soon to receive Thee. My good
angel, now at my side, help me; teach me
how to speak to Jesus when He comes to me.

Dear Jesus, I firmly believe Thou art truly

and really present in the Blessed Sacrament.

Oh make me realize that Thou art coming to
me; let me think how great Thou art, and how
great it is for You to come to me. I believe

all the Catholic Church teaches and I wont

to live up to these teachings; of myself I con

do nothing but in Thee I con do all things;

help Thou me.



MY FAVORITE PRAYERS -21

Prayers After Communion

My God, enable me to bear Thee, for Thou
alone const.

Cleanse my heart and my mind from all that
is past.

Wipe out clean all my recollections of evil.

Rid me from all languor and sickliness, from
all irritability and feebleness of soul.

Give me a true perception of things unseen.

Make me truly practically, and in the details
of life, prefer Thee to anything on earth and

the future world to the present.

Give me courage, and a true instinct determin-
ing between right and wrong.

Give me humility in all things and a tender,
longing love of Thee!

—Cardinal Newman
^ thi ^ ^ ^

O Holy Spirit of God, take me as Thy disci-
ple; guide me, illuminate me, sanctify me.

Bind my hands, that they may do no evil;
cover my eyes, that they may see it no more;
sanctify my heart, that evil may not dwell
within me. Be Thou my God; be Thou my
guide. Whithersoever Thou leadest me I will
go; whatsoever Thou forbiddest me I will re-
nounce; and whatsoever Thou commandest

me, in Thy strength I will do. Lead me, then,

unto the fullness of Thy truth. Amen.

Cardinal Manning.



22- MY FAVORITE PRAYERS

Thanksgiving

I give Thee thanks, eternal Father, for hav-

ing, out of Thy pure mercy, without any

deserts of mine, been pleased to feed my soiil
with the body and blood of Thy only Son, Our

Lord Jesus Christ. I beseech Thee that this

holy communion may not be to my condem-
nation, but prove on effectual remission of all

my sins. May it strengthen my fcdth; encour-
age me in all that is good; deliver me from my
vicious customs; remove all concupiscence;

perfect me in charity, patience, humility, and
obedience, and in all other virtues. May it
secure me against all the snares of my ene-
mies, both visible and invisible; perfectly

moderate all my inclinations, closely unite
me to Thee, the true and only good, and
happily settle me in unchangeable bliss. I
now make it my hearty request, that Thou wilt
one day admit me, though an imworthy sinner,

to be a guest at Thy divine Banquet where

Thou, with Thy Son and the Holy Ghost, art

to Thy saints true light, the fulfilling of their

every desire, their everlasting gladness, their

treasure beyond price, and their utter happi-

ness. Through the same Christ our Lord.

Amen.

St Thomas Aquinas



MY FAVORITE PRAYERS -23

For Patience

today, my Soul; tomorrow will
bring whatever God wills; meanwhile let

us do the will of the Lord. Yesterday is past,

and nothing more remains of its sufferings;

the merit of it would remain had I offered it

to God. Today I will merit by my sufferings.
Today is only one day, and does not signify

much. My God! can 1 do less than offer Thee
the troubles, the sufferings, the fatigues of a

single day? May those of this day be all for
Thy love; I offer them to Thee for the Heart

of Jesus, and in thanksgiving for all Thy

benefits.

^AN you resist the mercy of the Lord? Come
^ hither to the cross of Christ. Press your
forehead against the hard wood of it. Let His

blood trickle down on your hair. Kiss those feet

and say: Dear feet that walked so far and

wearily for me and now are pierced for me,
I love you. Dear arms of Christ outstretched,

embrace me. Dear blood of Christ, flowing for

me, cleanse me. Dear heart of Christ, broken

for me, forgive me. I am yours. Your Cross
has conquered me. I am sorry for my sins, I
wish I had never committed them. If I had it

to do over again I would do otherwise. By Thy

love and Thy grace I will never, never sin

again. —Robert Kane, S. /.

Contrition



24~ MY FAVORITE PRAYERS

For Courage

GOD, give me courage, for perhaps
1 xack it more than anything else. I need

courage before men against their threats and
against their seductions. I need courage to

bear unkindness, mockery, contradiction. I

need courage to fight against the devil, a-

gainst terrors and troubles, temptations, at-

tractions, darkness and false lights, against

fears, depression, and above all fear. I need

your help dear God. Strengthen me with Thy
love and Thy grace. Console me with Thy
blessed Presence and I will try to go on and

be brave.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love; where
there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt,

faith; where there is despair, hope; where

there is darkness, light, and where there is

sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so
much seek to be consoled as to console; to be
understood as to understand; to be loved as

to love; for it is in giving that we receive; it
is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it
is in dying that we are bom to eternal life.

For Peace

St. Francis of Assisi.



MY FAVORITE PRAYERS -25

For Purity

^ JESUS, through frequent union with Thy^ Sacred Humanity in Holy Commimion,
may my mind be pure, my body chaste, my
words and manner modest. May the Sacra-
ment of Thy Body and Blood keep the laxity

of the times out of my life. Cleanse my mind
of the memory of evil that begets so many

temptations. Keep me from the occasions of
sin, and be with me in the hour of temptation.
I am sorry for my recklessness in the past,
when I plunged headlong into danger. Help

me guard my eyes and to give no time to
dangerous reading. Free my ears from all con-
taminating influences, especially during my
working hours. Never let me forget Thy spot-
less Presence no matter where I may be.

Come, O Holy Ghost and Creator, come and
breathe Thy spirit of life and of beauty into

worldly, sensual, sickly man, transform him

utterly, pluck him from the midst of his narrow,

petty intellectual existence, from the stupid

insignificance of his daily life, and teach him

instead to live after the pattern of Christ.

O Holy Spirit, Spirit of Truth, come into our
hearts; shed the brightness of Thy light on

all nations, that they may be one in Faith and
pleasing to Thee.



26- MY FAVORITE PRAYERS

Petitions of Sf. Augustine

Lord Jesiis, let me know myself, let me know
Thee,

And desire nothing else but Thee.

Let me hate myself and love Thee,

And do all things for the sake of Thee.

Let me humble myself and exalt Thee,

And think of nothing else but Thee.

Let me die to myself and live in Thee,

And take whatever happens as coming from
Thee.

Let me forsake myself and walk after Thee,

And ever desire to follow Thee.

Let me flee from myself, and turn to Thee,

That so I may merit to be defended by Thee.

Let me fear for myself, let me fear Thee,

And be amongst those who are chosen by
Thee.

Let me distrust myself, and trust in Thee.

And ever obey for the love of Thee.

Let me cleave to nothing but only to Thee,

And ever be poor for the sake of Thee.

Look upon me, that I may love Thee.

Call me, that I may see Thee

And forever possess Thee. Amen.



MY FAVORITE PRAYERS -27

Jesus^ Help Me!

In every need let me come to Thee with
humble trust, saying, Jesus, help me! In all

my doubts, perplexities, and temptations,
Jesus, help me!

In hours of loneliness, weariness and trials,

Jesus, help me!

In the failure of my plans and hopes; in
disappointments, troubles and sorrows, Jesus,

help me!

When others fail me, and Thy Grace alone
can assist me, Jesus, help me!

When I throw myself on Thy Tender Love
as a Father and Saviour, Jesus, help me!

When my heart is cast down by failure at
seeing no good come from my efforts, Jesus,
help me!

When I feel impatient, and my cross irritates
me, Jesus, help me!

When I am ill, and my head and hands
cannot work and I am lonely, Jesus, help me!

Always, always, in spite of weakness, falls

and shortcomings of every kind, Jesus, help

me and never forsake me!



28- MY FAVORITE PRAYERS

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.

Body of Christ, save me.

Blood of Christ, inebriate me.

Water from the side of Christ, wash me.

Passion of Christ, strengthen me:

O good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds hide me.

Suffer me not to be separated from Thee.

From the evil enemy defend me.

In the hour of my death call me.

And bid me come unto Thee.

That with all Thy saints I may praise Thee

For all eternity. Amen.

H: Hi ^ ^

Praise, adoration, love and thanksgiving be

every moment given to the Eucharistic Heart

of Jesus in all the tabernacles of the world,

even unto the end of time. Amen.



MY FAVORITE PRAYERS -29

Keep us, O God, from pettiness: let us be
large in thought, in word, in deed.

Let us be done with fault-finding, and leave

off self-seeking.

May we put away all pretense and meet each
other face to face — without self-pity
and without prejudice.

May we never be hasty in judgment and al-
ways generous.

Let us take time for all things: moke us to
grow calm, serene, gentle.

Teach us to put into action our better impulses,

straightforward and imafraid.

Grant that we may realize it is the little things
that create differences; that in the big

things of life we are at one.

And may we strive to touch and to know the
great, common, human heart of us all
— and —

O Lord God, let us forget not, to be kind.

^ ^ ^

Lord Jesus, infuse into us the spirit of Thy

love, that, in the hour of our death we may
conquer the enemy and attain the eternal
crown. Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.



30- MY FAVORITE PRAYERS

To My Crucifix

0 Cross of Jesus, Supreme Consoler
1 will never forget what Thou didst do

To calm the waves of despair

And transform blinding tears
Into tears of peace and gladness.

May my last look be upon the Sacred
Image of my Saviour.
May a friendly hand place it in mine.
Raise it to my dimming vision.
Press it to my lips.

And when the last moment is come
And I am too weak to utter a prayer.
My eyes fixed on Thee shall bear
To my soul the succor of Thy Presence.

Blessed shall I be

Dying in a look of love.

O God, Who wert pleased that Thy Son
should undergo for us the torments of death

upon the cross, that Thou mightest drive away
from us the power of the enemy; grant unto

us Thy servants that we may attain to the
grace of the Resurrection. Through the same

Christ our Lord. Amen.



MY FAVORITE PRAYERS -31

Jesus, Gentle Saviour

Jesus, gentle Saviour,

God of might and power.
Thou Thyself are dwelling

In me at this hour.

Multiply Thy graces.

Chiefly love and fear.

And, dear Lord, the chiefest,

Grace to persevere.

When my heart Thou leavest.
Lord, worthless though it be.

Give it to Thy Mother

To be kept for Thee.

:{c ^ ^ ^

Teach us, good Lord, to serve Thee as Thou

deservest; to give and not to count the cost;

to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil

and not to seek for rest; to labor and not to

ask for any reward, save that of knowing that

we do Thy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Take, O Lord, all my liberty. Receive my
memory, understanding, and entire will. Thou

hast bestowed on me whatever I have or
possess; I give all back to Thee, and deliver it

to Thee to be entirely subject to Thy will.

Only grant me Thy love and Thy grace, and
I am rich enough and ask for nothing more.

St. Ignatius.



32- MY FAVORITE PRAYERS

A Rule of Life
Be careful to recite your morning and eve-

ning prayers. Even if you have no time to

recite longer prayers or even to kneel down,

be sure to raise your mind and heart to God,

reciting some short prayer known by heart.

Never go to your rest at night without thinking

of God and offering yourself to Him.

Review the day's faults. Resolve to do

better.

On Sundays and Holydays of Obligation be
careful to assist at Holy Mass.

Go to Confession frequently. Receive Holy
Commimion as often as possible.

A man is known by his company. Don't
associate with evil-minded men and women.

Avoid listening to or telling bad stories;

looking at indecent pictures; reading improper

magazines or books. Control every immodest

desire.

Respect the name of God and of His Son
Jesus Christ.

Beware of the idle hour; use it well.

Now and again during the day raise your
thoughts to God. Offer a prayer for those at

home.

When you have unfortimately commited sin,
be not discouraged. Ask God's pardon; re-

solve never to sin again and seek the sacra-

ment of penance.

Remember it is appointed for you once to
die. Pray that you may die worthily.