'/fry/. REV. WALTER E. R. O’GORMAN, C.S.P Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 https://archive.org/details/prayerstostpaulwogor_O Prayers to St. Paul (with Novena) By Rev. Walter E. R. O’Gorman, C.S.P. THE PAULIST PRESS 401 West 59th Street New York, N. Y. C AfAM Nihil Obstat Arthur J. Scanlan, S.T.D., Censor Librorum. Imprimatur : © Francis J. Spellman, D.D., Archbishop of New York. New York, May 8, 1942. Copyright, 1942, by The Missionary Society op St. Paul the Apostle in the State op New York < PRINTED AND PUBLISHED IN THE U. S. A. BY THE PAULIBT PRESS, NEW YORK, N. Y. INTRODUCTION Never more than at the present day does the world need the example of a St. Paul—his zeal and enthusiasm for the things of Christ. Torn by strife and war, urged on to relentless struggle by a mate- rialistic outlook on life, mankind is car- ried down the tide of life at an unprece- dented pace. Only a return to religion will save man from disaster: only the prac- tice of the Christian virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity will reform our world. The reform must come not so much from with- out as from within . We must start with ourselves if we wish to make this a better world in which to live. The words of St. Paul must ever be before us: “If I speak with the tongues of men, and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. . . . And if I should distribute all my goods to feed the poor, and if I should deliver my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. . . . Charity is patient, is kind: charity envieth not, dealeth not perversely; is not puffed up. Is not ambitious, seeketh not her own, is not provoked to anger, think- PRAYERS TO ST. PAUL 5 eth no evil. Rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth with the truth. . . .” (1 Cor. xiii). This booklet is written by a member of the Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle—a group of Priests who hold up before themselves the ideals of St. Paul. In these troubled times in which we live may we obtain much courage from St. Paul so that conquering by charity, zeal and labor the indifference and irreligion of this our own day, we may truly say with the Apostle: “And I live now, not I; but Christ liv- eth in me” (Gal. ii. 20). { LIFE OF SAINT PAUL We read in the Acts of the Apostles (vii. 57) how those who stoned St. Stephen to death laid their garments down at the feet of a young man named Saul who, as the Scriptures tell us: “Was consenting to his death” (Acts vii. 59) . Who would have thought that this young man was later to become an Apostle of Christ. He opens his Epistle to the Ephesians with the words: “Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ” (Eph. i. 1). Saint Paul was born at Tarsus, the Capital of Silicia, of Jewish parents. He received a good education, having studied under Gamaliel who was a re- nowned scholar in those times. Saul, as the young man was then known, was a strong character who could never be indifferent—he had to be on one side or the other. He went so far as to go to the High Priest and ask of him letters to Damascus so that 6 PRAYERS TO ST. PAUL 7 he might search for any Christians and bring them bound to Jerusalem. How- ever, it was yet another case of : “Man proposes, but God disposes.” Ap- proaching Damascus, a light from heaven shone around him and he fell to the ground. A voice said to him: “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?” (Acts ix. 4). In answer to Saul’s in- quiry: “Who art Thou, Lord?” (Acts ix. 5) the voice replied: “lam Jesus Whom thou persecutest” (Acts ix. 5). Saint Paul, now convinced of his greatly mis- taken zeal, was keen to do the right thing. Those beautiful words of sub- mission fell from his lips: “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” (Acts ix. 6). Blinded by the light he had seen, Saint Paul was led to Damascus and there had his sight restored. He had now become a vessel of Election to carry the name of Christ before the Gentiles. From that time onwards he never looked back. For a considerable 8 PRAYERS TO ST. PAUL period Saint Paul retired to Arabia where he prepared for his great mis- sionary journeys through Asia and Eu- rope. The accounts of these journeys, as related in the Acts of the Apostles, make some of the most interesting read- ing in the New Testament. Sufficient it is here to say that Saint Paul labored incessantly to spread the Gospel of Christ. Truly, he fought without fear of being wounded and worked without seeking rest, so that he was able to say : “I have fought a good fight: I have finished my course: I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. iv. 7). OPENING HYMN We Sing the Glorious Conquest ~r"l' — 1—s~ 1 -Nr-f 1-- — r—i n / -ff J i i^S m ... a 1 r* •L r ^ ej • $ W TL) .1 1 ! } \ a J • ~ i. SSS We r 1 m • Si. ^ sing the glo - rious con - quest Be - fore Da - mas - cu3’ gate, J * Sr - • ^ - . r , .. rr . rw .. r- w— in» ill 1 i I L_ J 1 J 1 L K » > m, p~h H 2. O Glory most excelling, That smote across his path! O Light that pierced and blinded The zealot in his wrath! O Voice that spake within him The calm, reproving word! O Love that sought and held him The bondman of the Lord! Announcement's Letters of Thanksgiving Sermon PRAYERS TO SAINT PAUL First Day O Blessed Apostle Saint Paul / who la- bored so zealously / for the conversion of the Gentiles / in many lands / and gloried in being able / to suffer for Christ’s sake / we invoke thee to hear our prayers. / Grant that we, too / may be filled with zeal / for the Cause of Christ / and patiently bear life’s trials and sufferings / for His Name’s sake. / We place before thee our peti- tions / especially. . . . (Pause). Ob- tain these for us / if they are God’s Holy Will / for to this we are ever resigned. Second Day • i • O Blessed Apostle and Martyr, Saint Paul / who has taught us to die unto our- selves / and live unto Christ / grant that we may be able to say /that we live in Christ / and that Christ lives in us. / May we fight valiantly against all temptations / gaining strength from thy example / in overcoming all difficulties / trials and per- secutions/so that we, too, may rejoice/ in being permitted to suffer for Christ’s sake. / We petition thee / to help us in 10 PRAYERS TO ST. PAUL 11 our needs and necessities / especially . . . {Pause). Grant that they may avail us unto salvation. Third Day Saint Paul, Apostle to all mankind / in whose honor we are gathered together / we invoke thee to help us. / Hear our prayers and our petitions / especially . . . {Pause). In all things that we ask / may we seek what will avail us / in obtaining the great prize / of Eternal Life. / Though we see now through a glass / in a dark manner / may we look forward / to when we shall see face to face. / Meanwhile, may we walk in Faith, Hope and Charity. Fourth Day O Blessed Apostle of Jesus Christ / who by thy example didst teach us to labor / not only for the good of our own souls / but also for the souls of others / grant that we may always practice the great vir- tue of Charity / the love of God and the love of our neighbor / on His account./ Thus, being rightly disposed / we ask you to obtain from our Lord / the following favors. . . . {Pause). May it please Him 12 PRAYERS TO ST. PAUL to answer our prayers / in whatever way He knows best. / We resign ourselves to the Will of God. Fifth Day Saint Paul, zealous Apostle to the Gen- tiles / who suffered many things for the sake of Christ / grant that we may ever be zealous / for the salvation of souls / and draw others unto Christ / by our Faith, good works and example. / May we not be solicitous / for the things of the world / but rather for the things that pertain to Christ. / We petition thee to obtain for us / the following favors. . . . {Pause). Grant that we may always / return to give thanks / especially for all the bless- ings / received in the past. Sixth Day Saint Paul / thou who didst journey / in many parts of the world / spreading the teachings of Christ / and Him crucified / grant that we also may be zealous / for the Cause of Christ / in our journey through life. / Striving for mastery over ourselves / may we not forget to do good to others / at the same time. / We petition PRAYERS TO ST. PAUL 13 thee to obtain for us / the favors we ask / especially . . . {Pause). May we not so much seek temporal good / as the good of our souls. Seventh Day O Holy Apostle Saint Paul / who didst teach us / so to run in the race of life / that we may obtain an incorruptible crown / the prize of Eternal Life / grant that we may refrain ourselves / from all things that hinder our progress. / May we be interested / in the things of Christ / seeking the glory of God / at all times. / We ask you to obtain for us / the follow- ing petitions . . . {Pause). Knowing that no sincere prayer / is ever left unanswered in some way / we resign ourselves to the Will of God. Eighth Day Saint Paul / Blessed Apostle and preach- er of the Truth / in the whole world / may we follow thy example / in fighting the good fight / in keeping the faith / and in finishing our course / so that we, too / may obtain a Crown of Justice. / We ask thee / to hear our prayers and petitions / espe- 14 PRAYERS TO ST. PAUL dally . . . (Pause). Grant that we may see / God’s good and gracious purpose / working in all our trials and difficul- ties / and ever be resigned to His Holy Will. Ninth Day Saint Paul / Holy Apostle of Christ / through whose help and example / the weak became strong; / the ignorant be- came instructed ; / and sinners were con- verted / from their evil ways / hear the prayers and petitions / of those here gath- ered together. / Especially do we ask your help / in the following needs . . . (Pause). Ever mindful that no sincere prayer / is left unanswered / in some way that God sees best / we submit everything to His Divine Will / “Not my will, but thine be done.” PRAYERS TO ST. PAUL 15 Litany of St. Paul ( For private use only ) Lord, have mercy on us. Christ , have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us. St. Paul, converted on road to Damas-" cus, St. Paul, Apostle of Jesus Christ, St. Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles, St. Paul, zealous laborer for Christ, St. Paul, fearless exponent of Christ’s© doctrine, St. Paul, servant of Jesus Christ, * St. Paul, persecuted for Christ’s sake, * St. Paul, who suffered for Christ’s sake, St. Paul, who didst hunger and thirst, St. Paul, who labored in peril of land and sea, * j 16 PRAYERS TO ST. PAUL St. Paul, who bore all things for Christ’s sake, St. Paul, who journeyed much for Christ’s sake, St. Paul, Apostle of Charity, St. Paul, Preacher of the Truth throughout the world, St. Paul, Vessel of Election, St. Paul, who carried the Name of Christ before the Gentiles, St. Paul, pillar of Faith, St. Paul, a Prisoner in the Lord, St. Paul, Converter of Pagans, St. Paul, Example to the weak, St. Paul, Strengthener of the Faith, St. Paul, who sought after the things of Christ, St. Paul, Preacher of the Risen Christ, St. Paul, who taught us to triumph over the sting of death, St. Paul, who taught us that death is swallowed up in victory, St. Paul, who journeyed to Rome, St. Paul, martyred in Rome, for Christ’s sake, St. Paul, who fought the good fight, St. Paul, who finished his course, St. Paul, who won his crown of glory, Pray for us. PRAYERS TO ST. PAUL 17 That thou wouldst vouchsafe to aid and protect all those who invoke thee, we beseech thee , hear us l That thou wouldst inspire many with thy zeal and devotion for the things of Christ, we beseech thee , hear us l That thou wouldst intercede for those who follow in thy footsteps, we beseech thee, hear us! Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, 0 Lord . Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, 0 Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Lord. Let Us Pray 0 God, from Whom proceed all holy desires, right counsels, and just works, grant unto us, Thy servants, that peace which the world cannot give; that our hearts being disposed to keep Thy com- mandments, and the fear of enemies being taken away, our times may, by Thy pro- tection, be tranquil. Amen . 18 PRAYERS TO ST. PAUL BENEDICTION O Salutaris Hostia O Salutaris Hostia, Quae coeli pandis ostium! Bella premunt hostilia; Da robur; fer auxilium. Uni trinoque Domino, Sit sempiterna gloria; Qui vitam sine termino Nobis donet in patria. Amen . Tantum Ergo Tantum ergo Sacramentum Veneremur cernui; Et antiquum documentum Novo cedat ritui; Praestet tides supplementum Sensuum defectui. Genitori Genitoque Laus et jubilatio, Salus, honor, virtus quoque, Sit et benedictio, Procedenti ab Utroque Compar sit laudatio. Amen. Priest—Panem de coelo praestitisti eis. (Alleluia.) PRAYERS TO ST. PAUL 19 People—Omne delectamentum in se ha- bentem . (Alleluia . ) Priest—Oremus: Deus, qui nobis sub Sacramento mirabili passionis tuae memo- riam reliquisti; tribue, quaesumus, ita nos corporis et sanguinis tui sacra mysteria venerari ut redemptionis tuae fructum in nobis jugiter sentiamus; Qui vivis et reg- nas in saecula saeculorum. People—Amen. 20 PRAYERS TO ST. PAUL The Divine Praises Blessed be God! Blessed be His Holy Name! Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God, and true Man! Blessed be the Name of Jesus! Blessed be His most Sacred Heart! Blessed be Jesus in the most holy Sacra- ment of the Altar! Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy! Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Con- ception ! Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother! Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse! Blessed be God in His angels and in His saints ! PRAYERS TO ST. PAUL 21 HYMN Lead Us, Great Teacher Paul II Praise, blessing, majesty, through endless days, Be to the Trinity immortal given; Who in pure Unity profoundly sways Eternally alike all things in earth and heaven. Amen. 22 * PRAYERS- TO ST. PAUL CLOSING HYMN Holy God/ We Praise Thy Name Holy God, we praise Thy name; Lord of all, we bow before Thee; All on earth Thy sceptre claim, All in heaven above adore Thee. # * ' - » t Infinite Thy vast domain, Everlasting is Thy reign. Infinite Thy vast domain, Everlasting is Thy reign. Hark, the loud celestial hymn, Angel choirs above are raising; Cherubim and Seraphim, In unceasing chorus praising. Fill the heavens with sweet accord, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord. Fill the heavens with sweet accord, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord. PRAYERS TO ST. PAUL 23 THE MASS The Conversion of St. Paul Note: The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul is celebrated on January 25th. However, his principal feast is with that of St. Peter, on June 29th. The following Mass is taken from the Mass of the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, Janu- ary 25th. INTROIT. 2 Tim. i. I know whom I have believed and I am certain that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him, against that day; being a just judge. Ps. cxxxviii. Lord, Thou hast proved me and known me: Thou hast known my sitting down, and my rising up. V. Glory. PRAYER. 0 God, Who hast taught the whole world by the preaching of blessed Paul, Thy apostle, we beseech Thee, grant us, who this day celebrate his conversion, that we may advance toward Thee by following his example. Through our Lord. 24 PRAYERS TO ST. PAUL LESSON. Acts ix. 1-22. In those days, Saul, as yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the dis- ciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked of him letters to Damascus, to the synagogues; that if he found any men and women of this way, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. And as he went on his journey, it came to pass that he drew nigh to Damascus: and suddenly a light from heaven shined round about him. And falling on the ground he heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? Who said, Who art Thou, Lord? And He said, I am Jesus of Nazareth, Whom thou persecutest. It is hard for thee to kick against the goad. And he trembling and astonished, said, Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do? And the Lord said to him, Arise, and go into the city, and there it shall be told thee what thou must do. Now the men who went in com- pany with him stood amazed, hearing in- deed a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. But they leading him by the hand, brought him to Damascus. And he was there three days PRAYERS TO ST. PAUL 25 without sight; and he did neither eat nor drink. Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias: and the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold I am here, Lord. And the Lord said to him, Arise and go into the street that is called Strait, and seek in the house of Judas one named Saul of Tarsus; for behold he prayeth. (And he saw a man, named Ananias, coming in, and put- ting his hands upon him, that he might re- cover his sight.) But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to Thy saints in Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that in- voke Thy name. And the Lord said to him, Go thy way; for this man is to Me a vessel of election, to carry My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how great things he must suffer for My name’s sake. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house, and laying his hands upon him, he said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus hath sent me, He that appeared to thee in the way as thou earnest, that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell 26 PRAYERS TO ST. PAUL from his eyes as it were scales, and he re- ceived his sight; and rising up he was bap- tized. And when he had taken meat, he was strengthened. And he . was with the disciples that were at Damascus for some days. And immediately he preached Jesus in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. And all that heard him were aston- ished, and said, Is not this he who perse- cuted in Jerusalem those who called upon this name: and came hither for that intent, that he might carry them bound to the chief priest? But Saul increased much more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, affirming that this is the Christ. GRADUAL . Gal. U. He who wrought in Peter ta the apostle- ship, wrought in me, also among the Gen- tiles, and they knew the grace of God which as given to me. V. The grace of God in me hath not been void; but His grace always remaineth in me. Alleluia, alleluia. V. The great saint Paul, the vessel of elec- tion, is truly worthy of all glory; for he hath deserved to possess the twelfth throne. Alleluia. 27PRAYERS TO ST. PAUL After Septuagesima, in place of the alleluias and verse following , is said or sung: TRACT. Thou art a vessel of election, O holy apostle Paul: truly worthy art thou to be glorified. V. Preacher of the truth and teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. V. By thee have all nations known the grace of God. V. Intercede for us with God, Who chose thee. GOSPEL . Matt . xix. 27-29. At that time, Peter said to Jesus, Be- hold we have left all things and have fol- lowed Thee: what therefore shall we have? And Jesus said to them, Amen I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the re- generation, when the Son of man shall sit on the seat of His majesty, you also shall sit on twelve seats judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or fa- - ther, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall possess life ever- lasting. The Nicene Creed is said. 28 PRAYERS TO ST. PAUL OFFERTOR Y. Ps. cxxxviii. But to me, Thy friends, 0 God, are made exceedingly honorable: their principality is exceedingly strengthened. SECRET. Through the prayer of Paul, Thy apostle, sanctify, O Lord, the offerings of Thy peo- ple, that what is pleasing to Thee by Thine own ordinance, may become more pleasing by the favor of his supplication. Through our Lord. COMMUNION. Matt. xix. Amen I say to you, that you who have left all things, and followed Me, shall re- ceive a hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting. POSTCOMMUNION. Sanctified by this saving mystery, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that he, under whose patronage Thou hast vouchsafed to place us, may not fail to intercede for us. Through our Lord. PRAYERS TO ST. PAUL 29 PRAYER FOR AMERICA O God from Whom proceed all graces and blessings, grant to our Country Thy divine aid. In this land of abundance Thou hast permitted men of all races to gather to- gether under one flag—our beloved Star- Spangled Banner. Here they can work out their salvation according to the ideals of right government and right living. May this land that has illumined many who were oppressed and directed them into the ways of peace, progress and harmony, be guided onwards by Thee, so that being de- livered from enemies we may serve Thee without fear. We pray for those in lawful authority over us. Direct the progress and perfect the achievement of all their efforts in our behalf. We pray Thee, O God, for members of our armed forces—soldiers, sailors, airmen and nurses—and for all other men and women, fighting and helping today in the common cause. May they be united in heart and mind with those they left be- hind. Grant them courage and strength to make sacrifices, ever recalling the words 30 PRAYERS TO ST. PAUL of our Lord: “Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John xv. 13). Have pity, O God, on all those afflicted by this terrible war, upon whom the heavy burden of sorrow has been laid. Com- fort them in their grief and encourage them to look up to Thee for hope and consolation. Grant that in the struggle against our enemies we may be united and work to- gether for one common end, cheerfully making individual sacrifices for the com- mon cause. God bless America! C-'i 7 * .V * V /