Marianist Educator Prayer Book
“In prayer you will find the courage, the strength, and all that is necessary for you.”
- Blessed William Joseph Chaminade
Table of Contents
“Remember, the goal of your prayer is that God may be all in all. You do not pray simply because of your personal needs and wants, nor because of your finding comfort and consolation, nor to win the admiration of others, nor to appear wise in their eyes, nor for any other reason than to give yourself wholly and completely to God.”
-William Joseph Chaminade
For the Beginning of the School Year
It is in prayer that you will find peace for your soul, the strength, enthusiasm and the means that allow us to multiply our efforts when we are overburdened.”
- Blessed William Joseph Chaminade
PRAYERS FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR
Loving God, we thank you for the gift of this school year. Help us always appreciate the opportunity to learn and the gift not available to every child. May we never take our education for granted and never complain about school. Help us do our best with all you’ve given us to learn this year. We ask this through Jesus, Who always did his best. Amen.
Dear Jesus, bless our school, our teachers, our classrooms, and the students so our school will be a place of learning and love. Help our teachers do their best and guide us to be the best students possible. May our classrooms be places of hospitality, compassion, excitement, blessings, and joy. May our minds and our hearts be filled with knowledge of you, our world, and all that will help us grow in faith with you. We ask this through your Son, The greatest teacher and student of all. Amen.
Dear Jesus, new beginnings give us a time to make new friends. You taught us that friendship means caring for others with our heart and soul. Help us treasure our old friends as we reach out to those we don’t know. Help us see that each of us is your child, filled with your special gifts. Help us use our gifts and recognize and honor the gifts of our friends, new and old. We ask this through you, our God who is ever ancient, ever new. Amen.
Dear God, how wonderful it must be to know all things! help us gain as much knowledge as we can about you and your world. Fill our minds with wonder about all we don’t know, and help us be excited about all we will learn. May we be humble about our abilities and never be know-it-alls. Thank you for the example of your son, Jesus, who did know it all but never bragged about it. Amen.
Dear Lord, a new year means new opportunities for us to grow as leaders. Help us be leaders in our classrooms, leaders in our school, and leaders in our world. Leaders are wise, patient, and compassionate and speak up for others. Jesus was the perfect leader. Guide our minds and hearts to act as he did. Help us see every moment we can be a leader for you, where we can act with love and kindness to all. Amen.
Dear Jesus, thank you for coming to Earth to show us a new way to live. Thank you for giving the apostles courage to spread the Good News. We’re happy that we and our school can be counted among your believers. Amen.
Dear God, thank you for the gift of our Catholic faith. Help us always treasure it as a way to be closer to you. Thank you for the opportunity to learn in a Catholic school. Help our school be a place of learning with our hearts as well as our minds. Guide us on our Catholic journey of education. Through your guidance, we can enter our school to learn about you and go forth from school each day to serve you and one another. Amen.
Dear Jesus, Education is not available to all boys and girls. Help us always appreciate education as a special gift. Bless the teachers, administrators, parents, and community who make our Catholic education possible. Help us make this a just world where everyone’s needs are met, so that all children will have both access to you and knowledge of your world. We ask this through your son, Jesus, who reigns with justice. Amen.
Dear Father, you filled our heads with the ability to think, to feel, and to find our way to you. Thank you for the gift of judgment, which allows us to make choices. Being Catholic means involving our hearts in our choices. May our Catholic education teach us to make good decisions that affect others and the world. Help us learn well, speak out for a just world, and value life as a blessing. Most of all, we thank you for coming into our classrooms every day. Amen.
God of new beginnings, We are walking into mystery.
We face the future, not knowing What the days and months will bring us Or how we will respond.
Be love in us as we journey, May we welcome all who come our way.
Deepen our faith
To see all life through our eyes. Fill us with hope and abiding trust That You dwell in us amidst all our joys and sorrows.
Thank You for the treasure of our faith life.
Thank You for the gift of being able To rise each day with the assurance of Your walking through the day with us.
God of our past and future, We praise You.
Amen.
For the End of the School Year
“Do not neglect prayer, however busy you may be.”
- Blessed William Joseph Chaminade
Dear Jesus, you know how happy and sad change can be. You know how hard it is to say goodbye to your friends, and you know how hard it is to leave what is familiar. Help us be as strong as you were when it was time to leave your friends and join your Father in heaven. You showed us that even though change is difficult, it’s worth the hardship. Thank you for filling us with your Spirit so we can be strong like you. Amen.
Dear Jesus, how exciting it is to have an entire summer ahead of us! We’ll have time to enjoy our families, create new memories, learn new things. Help us, Lord, to be thankful for the memories from this year and to thank you for the opportunity to learn new things. Bless our teachers and our classmates, and keep them safe over the summer. Keep us safe as we enjoy the outdoors. Help us make each new day a time to learn new things and be closer to you. Amen.
Dear Jesus, sometimes it’s easy to be lazy in the summer.
We don’t have homework, our schedules are easier, and we have time to do what we want.
Help us see that time is a gift we’re called to use wisely. Help us remember what we learned this year, to nurture the friendships we made, to be good helpers around the house and yard, and to see every moment as a prayer if we offer it up to you. Amen.
Dear Jesus, vacations are wonderful! We vacate our lives and fill them with new things, experiences, and memories.
Thank you for vacations, Lord, but help us remember that we must never vacate our lives of you. No matter where we go and what we do, may we always keep you as our tour guide. With you in charge, we’ll never get lost. Fill us with your joy as we start our summer vacation. Amen.
Dear heavenly Father, when we’re on vacation, sometimes we think only about ourselves and what we want to do. Open our minds and hearts this summer to see what others need. Guide our hands and our actions to be doers of your Word in all ways. May we see ways to help our busy parents. May we see ways to help our brothers and sisters. And may we see ways to help our neighbors. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you by serving others. We ask this through you, the best servant of all. Amen.
Marianist Prayers and Feast Days
“It is impossible to make mental prayer without Mary … Let us unite ourselves to Mary in mental prayer and beg her to make her Son known to us. Mary is present. She is watching over us with maternal solicitude, making herself all to all and apportioning her help according to our needs … She enriches the poor, protects the timid, disarms the one who is angry, touches the hearts of the ungrateful, and never abandons anyone.”
- Blessed William Joseph Chaminade
Mary, do for us what you did for Jesus, our brother. Guide us so we grow strong in wisdom and grace.
Give us sight to see the talents God has given us and the will to develop them. Foster within us Jesus’ own vision of who we are. Instill in us the desire to learn constantly, the goodness to serve generously, and the courage to lead wherever Jesus calls.
We pray for these blessings for ourselves and for all people so that the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit may be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
Virgin Mother of God, you were present in prayer with the disciples in the Upper Room awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit. Remain with us in our lives and work each day.
May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
CANTICLE OF MARY
Let us pray:
I acclaim the greatness of the Lord; I delight in God my savior, who regarded my humble state. Truly from this day on all ages will call blessed. For God has used that strength for me, Holy the name of the Lord!
Whose mercy embraces the faithful, One generation to the next. The mighty arm of God Scatters the proud in their conceit, Pulls tyrants from their thrones, and raises up the humble. The Lord fills the starving and lets the rich go hungry.
God rescues lowly Israel, Recalling the promise of mercy, The promise made to our ancestors, To Abraham’s heirs forever. Amen.
MEMORARE
Let us pray:
Remember, most loving Virgin Mary, never was it heard that anyone who turned to you for help was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I turn to you for protection for you are my mother.
Be merciful and hear my prayers. May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
Mary . . . You made space in your life for God . . .
Help us make space for God in our lives.
You gave Jesus his first welcome into this world . . .
Help us to welcome him.
You knew the power of the Holy Spirit . . .
Help us follow the Spirit’s call.
You pondered the Word of God in your heart . . .
Help us listen to God’s word.
You sang God’s praises with your cousin Elizabeth . . .
Help us share our joys with others.
You knew the suffering of being homeless . . .
Help us provide shelter for those in need. You knew the suffering of living in exile . . .
Help us welcome strangers.
You taught Jesus to seek God’s will for His life . . .
Help us say, “thy will be done.”
You recognized the needs of others . . .
Help us to be sensitive to others needs. You helped the disciples believe . .
Help us grow in faith.
As we endeavor, members of one family, to live the Marianist mission Of building God’s reign. Amen. (Sister Laura Lemming, F.M.I.)
THE MAGNIFICAT
Let us pray:
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty one has done great things for me, and holy is God’s name. God’s mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. God has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. God has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. God has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, according to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever. Amen.
MEMORARE
Let us pray:
Remember, most loving Virgin Mary, never was it heard that anyone who turned to you for help was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I turn to you for protection for you are my mother. Be merciful and hear my prayers. May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
MARIANIST DEDICATION PRAYER
O Good Jesus
help us to love Mary, your physical Mother and our spiritual Mother, as you love her and wish her to be loved.
Mary, our Mother, help us to respond as faithful disciples to the call of Jesus. In the spirit of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, help us to participate faithfully in your apostolic mission to present Jesus to the world about us as you did and still do today. We ask this grace in the name of Jesus, Son of Mary. May Jesus and Mary lead us into union with the Triune God. Amen.
August 13
Today, we remember Marianist, Blessed Father Jakob Gapp who was martyred for proclaiming his Catholic faith and for speaking out against the Nazis. He died on August 13, 1943.
Oh God, You gave to Blessed Jakob the grace to fight strenuously for justice and to assert, even to death, the truth of the faith. Through his intercession and example, help us to remain true to your Son and to the church by the integrity of our lives.
May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit
Be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
August 15
Today we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We celebrate the death of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her bodily ascension into heaven.
Almighty God,
You gave the Blessed Virgin Mary the privilege of being the mother of Jesus, and crowned her with the glory of heaven. May the prayers of the Virgin Mary bring to the salvation of Christ and raise us up to eternal life.
May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
August 22
Today we celebrate the feast of the Queenship of Mary.
Our God in heaven, in your eternal wisdom and love
You chose the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of Jesus and to be his companion in bringing about the mystery of our redemption. Grant that she may obtain for us Graces in abundance as we dedicate our lives in serving You and honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary.
May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit
Be glorified in all places Through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen
September 5
Today we remember Mary as Queen of Apostles. On this day in 1818 the first Marianists, Brothers and priests, publically professed vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
God, you gave the Holy Spirit to your apostles as they joined in prayer with Mary, the mother of Jesus. By the help of her prayers grant us the gift of serving you and your people faithfully by spreading the glory of your name in our words and actions.
May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
September 8
Today we celebrate the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Let us pray: Mary, you are the new Eve and the mother of all nations. You gather all the poor of the earth and tenderly console them. You gather all the diverse peoples of our world and invite them to work for justice and reconciliation. We place ourselves in your care today. Renew in us the dedication to live a life of faith modeled on your example and witness your virtues of humility and openness. Amen.
September 12
Today we celebrate the Holy Name of Mary. This day is the patronal feast of all members of the Family of Mary. It is in the name of Mary that all members of the Society of Mary and the Marianist Family offer their ministry to the people of God. It is Mary, the woman of faith, who is our model for all we do as members of the Church community.
Lord, Our God, When you son was dying on the cross, He gave us as our mother The one he had chosen to be his own mother, The Blessed Virgin Mary. Grant that we who call upon the holy name of Mary, Our mother, with confidence in her protection May receive the strength and comfort in all our needs. May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit
Be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
September 14
Today we remember Venerable Marie Therese Charlotte de Lamourous who died on this day is 1836. Marie Therese worked closely with Blessed Chaminade in forming the Marianist Family.
God, source of all holiness, We thank you for the gift of Marie Therese. Her love of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the message of the Gospel inspire us today. We ask that we, like her, will be of service to all our brothers and sisters now and in the future. We pray for the enthusiasm with which she spread the Gospel and love for Christ and His mother.
May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
September 18
Today we want to remember in our prayers, three Marianist Brothers who were killed in Spain in 1936 for proclaiming their Catholic faith. Brothers Carlos, Jesus, and Fidel were teachers who manifested their alliance with Mary and dedication to her mission to bring Jesus to the world through their ministry in education. We seek to imitate their bold and courageous faith in our lives. Brothers Carlos, Jesus, and Fidel were declared Blessed by the Catholic Church in 1995.
Lord, Our God,
To Blessed Carlos, Fidel, and Jesus,
Who were inflamed with love for the Blessed Virgin Mary, You gave the grace to suffer for Christ.
Grant that, through their intercession, we may remain firm in our faith. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit Be glorified in all places through the immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
October
2
Today is the Feast of the Guardian Angels and on this date in 1817 the Society of Mary was founded by Blessed William Joseph Chaminade and seven committed men in Bordeaux, France.
God of everlasting love, Your Son gave us his Mother to be our mother. Taught by him and united with thousands of students throughout the world in Marianist schools, we pray: Mary, do for us what you did for Jesus, our brother. Guide us so we grow strong in wisdom and grace. Give us sight to see the talents God has given us, the will to develop them, and the generosity to share these talents with others. Instill in us the desire to constantly learn, the goodness to serve generously, and the courage to follow where Jesus calls. We pray for these blessings for ourselves, for all students at this school, and for members of the faculty and staff. May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen
October 12
Today we remember Our Lady of the Pillar. In 1797 Blessed William Joseph Chaminade was forced to leave France. He chose to go to Sargasso, Spain so he would be able to live near and pray at a shrine dedicated to Mary known as Our Lady of the Pillar. It is while at prayer at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Pillar that Chaminade was inspired to found the Society of Mary and all branches of the Family of Mary. Since 1888, this feast has been celebrated by Marianists to commemorate Blessed Chaminade’s inspiration for founding the Family of Mary.
Almighty and eternal God, You gave the Blessed Virgin Mary, Glorious mother of your son, as a pillar of strength
To all who call upon her aid; Grant through her intercession
That we may be strong in faith, Unwavering in hope and steadfast in love. Amen.
November 6
Today we remember three Marianist Brothers and a Marianist priest who were martyred for their faith in Madrid, Spain in 1936. Brothers Florencio, Joaquin, Sabino and Father Miguel were Declared Blessed by the Catholic Church in 2007.
Lord, our God, who granted to the blessed martyrs
Joaquin, Sabino, Florencio, and Miguel the grace of dedicating their lives to education under the guidance of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of courageously professing their faith. Grant that we, strengthened by their witness, might give witness to our faith in word and deed. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ.
May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit
Be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
November 21
Today we remember the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the temple. Like Mary let us live our lives as faith filled witnesses to the message of Jesus.
God of everlasting love, Your Son gave us his Mother to be our own.
Taught by him and united with thousands of students throughout the world in Marianist schools, we pray: Mary, do for us what you did for Jesus, our brother, guide us so we grow strong in wisdom and grace.
Give us sight to see the talents God has given us, the will to develop them, and the generosity to share these talents with others. Instill in us the desire to constantly learn, the goodness to serve generously, and the courage to follow where Jesus calls. We pray for these blessings for ourselves, for all students at this school, and for members of the faculty and staff.
May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen
December 8
Today is the memorial of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is the patronal feast of the Marianist Sisters, the Daughters of Mary Immaculate. We also remember that it was on this day in 1800 that the first men approached Blessed Chaminade to form the first Marianist Sodality. On this day, the first members of the Society of Mary made private vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
Creator God, in your gracious providence
You always care for us.
The immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary is witness to your plan of salvation.
Let the fullness of your grace, which enfolded Mary, kindle in our hearts the light of hope to all with whom we come into contact.
Let our lives be lives of praise and service. Let us be leaders of positive change for our Church and for the world.
May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
December 12
Today we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In 1531 Mary appeared to Juan Diego near Mexico City. In 1999, Pope John Paul II decreed that Our Lady of Guadalupe to be the Patroness of the Americas.
God of power and mercy, you blessed the Americas with the presence of the Virgin Mary. May her prayers help all men and women to accept each other as brothers and sisters. Through your justice present in hearts and in our service to others, may your peace reign in the world. May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
January 10
Today we remember Adele de Batz de Trenquelleon who is the founder of the Marianist sisters, the Daughters of Mary Immaculate. The sisters are in ministry throughout the world. Let us remember the Marianist sisters and all members of the Family of Mary in our prayers today.
O God, source of all holiness, we thank you for filling the heart of your servant Adele with an ardent missionary spirit and a deep love for the Blessed Virgin Mary. We thank you for the enthusiasm with which she spread the Gospel and love for Christ and His mother, Mary. Lord help us to follow her in being a sign of Your love for all our brothers and sisters. May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
January 22
Today we remember Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, who founded the Marianist Family in 1801 the Society of Mary in 1817. He was born in 1761 and died on this date in 1849. Today, members of the Society of Mary are in ministry throughout the world. In 2000, Pope John Paul II declared Chaminade Blessed. On this day, as a school community, let us recommit ourselves to living out our Marianist heritage today and throughout the year. Let us pray for each other and all members of the Family of Mary.
Oh, God
You are constantly at work in Your Church, and through individuals and communities, You manifest your spirit for the good of your people. In a special way You bestowed Your spirit on Your servant Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, so that he might live fully according to the Gospel and with love devote himself to Your saving work. You have inspired communities of men and women to follow his example by consecrating themselves to You so to serve the Church under the leadership of Mary.
May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
February 2
Today we remember Mary and Joseph presenting Jesus in the Temple. It was at this presentation that the high priest Simeon predicted the life of joy and suffering that would be part of her life and her Jesus’ life. On this day in 1801, we have the formation by William Joseph Chaminade and a group of committed men and women of the first Marianist sodality.
God of light, your Son shared our flesh and blood and built us into a living, vibrant community. Guide us by the Spirit to welcome Christ into our lives. May our lives witness to our faith in You. May our lives imitate the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. May our lives be one of sharing and serving each other. May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary.
Amen.
February 11
Today we remember the first apparition of Mary to Bernadette Soubiroux in 1858 at Lourdes in France. This was the first of eighteen apparitions Mary made to Bernadette. Since 1858, millions of people have travelled to Lourdes to pray and to ask for a physical, spiritual, or psychological cure. God has heard the prayers of many of the people who have journeyed to Lourdes.
Dear God,
We ask that we may be blessed with health of mind and body. Mary, look with favor upon us as you did that day on Bernadette. We come with confidence to ask for your intercession. In gratitude we will endeavor to imitate your virtues in our lives. We thank you for your constant presence in our lives. We ask for justice and peace throughout the world. We ask for the strength to live a life of faith that will influence all our brothers and sisters. May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
March 19
Today we celebrate the Feast of Saint Joseph. Joseph was a member of the Holy Family along with Mary and Jesus. Saint Joseph has always been considered to be a patron of all members of the Marianist Family.
Let us pray:
Joseph, it was to you that the Father entrusted his Son and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Continue to be for us a sign of God’s love in the Church, Mary’s family today. By the inspiration of your faith and love, draw our community closer to Mary, our Mother, and to Christ, our Brother. Share with us your love of Mary. Give us the joy of growing in our devotion to Mary and to her family. May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
March 25
Today we celebrate the memorial of the Annunciation. Mary, through a great act of faith said YES to the angel Gabriel to become the mother of Jesus, our brother. Let each of us say YES to all that God is asking of us to live the Gospel message in all we do each day.
Lord our God, in order to redeem us all and lead us to yourself, you sent us your beloved Son, who was made flesh and born of the Virgin Mary.
Grant that we may be formed by her in the image of Your Son, and help us participate in the love of Christ for His mother. May our love of Mary influence all that we are and do for our brothers and sisters. May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit Be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
MARIANIST PRAYERS AND FEAST DAYS
April 8
Today we remember Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, Founder of the Marianist Family, who was born on this day in 1761.
Oh, God
You are constantly at work in Your Church, And through individuals and communities You manifest your spirit for the good of your people. In a special way You bestowed Your spirit
On Your servant Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, So that he might live fully according to the Gospel And with love devote himself to Your saving work. You have inspired communities of men and women To follow his example by consecrating themselves to You
So to serve the Church under the leadership of Mary. May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit Be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
May 1
Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker. We remember that Joseph was an integral member of the Holy Family. Saint Joseph is a patron saint of the Marianist Family. Let us work together to build the Marianist Family. Let us seek his guidance as we pray
Joseph, it was to you that the Father entrusted his Son and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Continue to be for us a sign of God’s love in the Church, Mary’s family today. By the inspiration of your faith and love, draw our community closer to Mary, our Mother, and to Christ, our Brother. Share with us your love of Mary. Give us the joy of growing in our devotion to Mary and to her family. Amen.
May 12
Today, we remember Mary as the Mother of All Graces. On this day the Decree of Praise (1839) and Decree of Commendation (1865) recognizing the Society of Mary as an order of Brothers and priests offering their services to the Church were issued by the Vatican.
God of everlasting love, Your son gave us His Mary to be our mother. Taught by him and united with thousands of students throughout the world in Marianist schools, we pray: Mary, do for us what you did for our brother, Jesus. Guide us so we grow strong in wisdom and grace. Give us sight to see the talents God has given us, the will to develop them, and the generosity to shareour talents with others. Instill in us the desire to constantly learn, the goodness to serve generously, and the courage to follow where Jesus calls. We pray for these blessings for ourselves, for all the students at this school, and for all members of the faculty and staff. May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
May 25
Today we remember Mary as the Help of Christians. Today is considered to be the Foundation Day for the Marianist Brothers, Sisters, and priests. On this day in 1819 the Vatican recognized as religious orders the Society of Mary (Marianists) and the Daughters of Mary Immaculate. Both orders were founded by Blessed Chaminade.
Let us pray: Mary, daughter of Wisdom
we, your family, desire to be your living presence in the world today. Form us to be the faith sons and daughters of your son, our brother, Jesus. Grant that we may always wholeheartedly respond to the graces sent to us by God. Amen.
Prayers for Everyday
“Remember, brother, that the goal of your prayer is that God may be all in all. You do not pray simply because of your personal needs and wants, nor because of your finding comfort and consolation, nor to win the admiration of others, nor to appear wise in their eyes, nor for any other reason than to give yourself wholly and completely to God.”
- Blessed William Joseph Chaminade
Dear Lord, throughout the ages, people have turned from you and put faith in false things. When we are wrapped up in ourselves, help us to be faithful to you. When we doubt your presence, help us to be faithful to you. You alone are the source of faith. Thank you for never losing faith in us. Amen.
Dear Lord, sometimes it’s hard to find you. When we have trouble in our families, we look for you. When those we love become ill, we look for you. When our friends desert us, we look for you. When tragedy hits, we look for you. When we feel lonely, we look for you. During all these times, fill us with faith in you –faith that comforts us and lets us know you’re with us at all times, holding us in your loving care. Amen.
Dear God, you’ve given the beautiful gift of faith to each of us. Help us welcome that gift and trust in you. When we’re troubled, when we’re afraid, When we’re uncertain, or when we’re worried, help us trust that you will be with us as you are with the birds and the flowers. Thank you for your endless love. We ask this in the name of Jesus, who taught us to have faith in you. Amen.
Dear Lord, we must put ourselves in your hands. Help us have faith to know that you will always be with us and listen to our prayers. When we place our trust completely in you, we realize that your love for us is beyond measure. Fill us with faith in you. Amen.
Dear Lord, sometimes it’s hard to believe in things we cannot see, yet that is what faith calls us to do. How can we ever doubt your love and concern for all your children? When we lose faith, help us see your presence everywherein the air we breathe, the food we eat, the families we love, and the friends who support us. We ask this through Jesus, who has faith in each of us. Amen.
Dear Jesus, you worked hard to teach the apostles who you are. Before you left, you commanded them to go forth and teach all nations. Jesus, give us the strength and courage to be your disciples. Fill us with your Spirit so we can go forth and, by our actions, show the world your message of love for all. Amen.
Dear Jesus, how proud you must be that so many believers follow you. Please unite Christian communities throughout the world. Help us see that in spite of our different paths to you, we are all believers in you. We celebrate our differences and our common beliefs. Fill us with your Spirit so the world will know we’re Christians by our love for you and for one another. Amen.
Dear Jesus, forgive us when we don’t defend our faith. Forgive us for the times we would rather be about our interests rather than yours. When we fail, give us the strength of the apostles to get up and keep going forward, one step at a time. Thank you for never giving up on us. Amen.
Dear heavenly Father, how proud You must be of your son, Jesus. Please help all believers to continue this way of living. Help us grow in love for you and for one another. Open our eyes to see that we are all your followers. Unite us so that together we can create your kingdom on Earth. Amen.
Dear Father in heaven, catholic means we welcome all and spread the Good News to the corners of the Earth. Help us, Lord, to make our classrooms centers of care where we set a good example for others and our actions glorify you. We ask this through Jesus, whose death and resurrection glorified each of us. Amen.
Dear Jesus, you are an awesome gardener. You send us what we need to grow: sun and rain and soft winds, rich soil to bloom in. Thank you for caring for us so we can grow to be strong and productive. Help us bloom where you plant us. Thank you, dear Jesus, for tending us with love. Amen.
Dear Lord, sometimes we’re like a garden whose old, dead plants must be removed. We must remove our old habits so new ones can grow. Help us see that if we don’t prune our old vines, they become overgrown and ugly and wild. Open our eyes so we can see what we need to prune. Help us remove bad habits and selfish ways so new habits can grow. Prune, trim, clip, and shape us so we can become the most beautiful plants in your garden. Amen.
Dear God in heaven, we love sunflowers because they’re bright and beautiful. Standing straight and tall, they turn to follow the sun. We thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus. Help us be just like sunflowers. May we always stand straight and tall and turn toward your Son. May we be bright and beautiful because we are filled with life in him. May we always follow him no matter what direction he faces so that others may see us and follow him too. We ask this of you, Father of all corners of the Earth. Amen.
Dear Jesus, thank you for being a strong and steadfast vine. Thank you for always being firmly rooted so we can hang on to you. Thank you for your bushy branches, which nourish us so we can produce your Spirit fruits of kindness, generosity, and goodness. Help us become the biggest and best branches we can to produce our best fruits. After growing in you, may we enjoy heaven with you. Amen.
You are the Father who welcomes home The prodigal who has wandered far
You are the Father who prepares a meal When others would simply ignore
You are the Father whose love extends Beyond our thoughts or minds
You are the Father who knows our hearts And yet loves us as we are
You are the Father whose word we trust In whose presence we have no fear
You are the Father whose tender touch Makes a wounded spirit whole You are the Father whose only Son Was born that he might die
You are the Father whose gracious love We celebrate this day. Amen
Father God, when we consider your servant Mary, what we see is a humility and obedience that is so often lacking in our own lives.
As we hear your Word again, and consider the one through whose body you entered this world, remind us of the meaning of humility and grant us a confidence of faith that knows your promises to us are always fulfilled. Amen.
Gracious God, you have done so much for us
And we so little in return
You ask for humility
And we are often a proud people
You ask for willingness
And we are often a stubborn people
You ask for repentance
And we are often a deaf people
You ask for service
And we are often a busy people
Gracious God, you want the best for us
Teach us obedience. Grant us forgiveness that we, like Mary Might be your willing servants. Amen.
Creator and Redeemer
You did not plant the seed of this earth Into the universe as if by chance
It was your hand that placed it here
Your plan to grow it here
You did not populate this earth With a people made in your image
Purely by chance
It was your hand that placed us here
Your breath that keeps us here
You did not come as a tiny child
To walk this earth as if by chance
It was your Love that brought you here
Your Grace that saved us here
Our Creator and Redeemer. Amen.
Saving God, who came to earth for us, we praise you for your everlasting love, your endless patience, and for the greatest gift you could possibly give to us, the possibility of Salvation through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
From the very beginning was Your Word
Which spoke this world into being Your Word
Which thunders from the skies Your Word
Which flows like mountain streams Your Word
Which whispers in morning breeze Your Word
Revealed through kings and prophets Your Word
Revealed through Angels' praise Your Word
Revealed in humble service Your Word
Revealed through a tiny child Your Word
Alive from the beginning of all things And to eternity. Amen.
God of the journey, your invitation is to all to walk with you without fear of stumbling
Your arm enough to steady the feeblest soul
Your grace to rescue us should we fall Grant us faith enough to take you at your word
To know that when our hearts are heavy and the destination seems so distant that you are there with us along the road
Forgive us those times when we doubt your Word when we awake and feel alone
Draw us ever closer into your family that we might know your presence and sing your praises all the days of our lives. Amen
Creator God, you who love us more than we can know Who chose us from the very beginning to be family
We praise your holy name
Jesus Christ, Son of God, Word become flesh Who dwelt among us and was sacrificed for us
We praise your holy name
Holy Spirit, present and power in our lives
From the moment that we first believed We praise your holy name. Amen.
Dear Lord, I thank You for this day.
I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you.
Help me to start each day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You. Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Help me to think of You when I'm pushed beyond my limits.
I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak... Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others.
I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of everyone with whom I come in contact. Amen.
May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
Dear loving Lord, You sent your Son, To serve. You sent him, To give his life for me. Let your spirit awaken in me The same spirit of service. Let me not look, For position or gain, Instead show me how to let others go before me. Make me meek
Make me humble, So I too can give my life Willfully
Obediently
And faithfully Even when it hurts. In love with Christ And like Christ. Amen.
St. Theresa's Prayer:
May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into our bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of you. Amen.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, who gives to us nourishment in times of silence and solitude.
From uplifted hearts, hearts full of gratitude, may this prayer of thanksgiving rise to You, God of All Gifts and of Great Generosity.
We are thankful for times of stillness which allow us to listen to that holy river of prayer flowing in the heart; for the presence of Your Holy Spirit within, the Spirit who prays continuously.
These times of quiet heal us, within and without, replenish our spirit with new strength and prepare us to meet the constant struggle of daily life with renewed hope and joy.
Like Your Son, Jesus, who retreated deep into the desert to find You in stillness, may we, after this silent-solitary communion with You, allow our lives to reveal Your glory and grace.
Lord, may the seeds of the tree of stillness bear fruit for us and for all the restless world.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, who gives to us nourishment in times of silence and solitude.
Respect Life and Justice Prayers
Prayer means to praise, give thanks, laud, proclaim, repent.
Above all, prayer means consciously entering into the presence of our merciful and faithful God.
-Blessed William Joseph Chaminade
Dear Father, thank you for the gift of our wonderful world. We know it’s a sign of your love. For the long-necked giraffes that make us laugh and the giant elephants that amaze us, we honor you. For the beautiful butterflies that fill the air and the colorful rainbows that fill our skies, we honor you. Help us always treasure this Earth and be its best caretakers. We honor and praise you for the wonder you are. In humble thanks we pray. Amen.
Dear Lord, we know life is fragile. Each of us is a unique creation. You love each of us as your child. Thank you for loving us in such a special way. May we always view each other as your special children. May we see your presence in everyone we meet. Help us treat one another as you treat us. We ask this through your Holy Spirit, your breath of life. Amen.
Dear Jesus, through your life, You taught us how to respect all life. You showed us that young and old, male and female, Jew or Samaritan, blind or paralyzed, we are all special to you. Help us see as you do. Help us never judge the value of another life as anything but good, complete, and whole. Help us treat every person with dignity and respect. May we be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. May we praise you with our lives until we take our last breath. Amen.
Dear Lord, when you created our world, you allowed us to become its caretakers. It’s ours to cherish and pass on to those who come after us. Help us to see how we can make a difference. When we turn off lights, we care for your world; when we recycle, we care for your world; when we don’t litter, we care for your world; when we compost, we care for your world. Help us see that every little thing we do shows our love and respect for you, our creator. Thank you for all we have and for all you are. Amen.
God, you have given all peoples on common origin. It is your will that they be gathered together as one family in yourself. Fill the hearts of humankind with the fire of your love and with the desire to ensure justice for all. By sharing the good things you give us, may we secure an equality for all our brothers and sisters throughout the world. May there be an end to division, strife, and war. May there be a dawning of a truly human society built on love and peace. We ask this in your name. Amen.
Grant us, Lord God, a vision of your world as your love would have it: a world where the weak are protected, and none go hungry or poor; a world where the riches of creation are shared, and everyone can enjoy them; a world where different races and cultures live in harmony and mutual respect; a world where peace is built with justice, and justice is guided by love. Give us the inspiration and courage to build it, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O Lord, open my eyes that I may see the needs of others Open my ears that I may hear their cries; Open my heart so that they need not be without succor; Let me not be afraid to defend the weak because of the anger of the strong, Nor afraid to defend the poor because of the anger of the rich. Show me where love and hope and faith are needed, And use me to bring them to those places. And so open my eyes and my ears
That I may this coming day be able to do some work of peace for thee. Amen.
Dear Jesus, sometimes it’s hard to respect others. When someone is unkind to us, may we respect them by not getting angry. When someone hurts us, may we respect them by forgiving them. When someone is selfish and won’t share, may we respect them by being polite. Thank you for teaching us to be kind, because when we harm others we harm ourselves. We are all a part of your creation. Help us care for one another and for our world. Amen.
RESPECT
Our loving God, In the midst of darkness, reveal your light as we long for lasting peace, be with us as we long for enemies to be reconciled, be with us as we long for cures and healing, be with us as we long for economic security, be with us as we long for love and community. Fulfill the deepest longing of your people and dispel the darkness of our hearts. Let your Word ignite the hope the world needs to bring to life your love and justice.
May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
Mary, may your example and guidance enkindle in all of us a love for the many unfortunate people whom poverty and misery reduce to a condition of life unworthy of human beings. Arouse in our hearts a hunger and thirst for justice and peace. Grant peace in our days, peace to us, peace to our families, peace to our country, and peace among nations. May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
May God bless us with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that we may live deep within our hearts.
May God bless us with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that we may work for economic justice for all people. May God bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, hunger, homelessness and rejection, so that we may reach out our hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless us with enough foolishness to believe that we can make a difference in the world so that we can do what others claim cannot be done.
Amen.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, you have given the world its true light, Jesus, your son – the Son of God. You abandoned yourself completely to God’s call and thus became a wellspring of the goodness which flows forth from him. Show us Jesus. Lead us to him. Teach us to know and love him, so that we too can become capable of true love and be fountains of living water in the midst of a thirsting world.
Amen.
Loving God, Guide us to use the talents and skills
You have so generously given us
To work in collaboration with others
To bring change to those Who suffer and are oppressed in this world. Guide us to creatively educate and advocate for others who are denied a voice. Help us to be present to members of the global human family in many ways.
Help us to recognize the systems and structures that deny the dignity of the human person. Help us to be engaged and fully focused so we may envision and develop effective strategies to further justice and to be your agents in this world. Keep us aware of the bigger picture and move us beyond our own self-interest so we may participate in solidarity with those who need our support. Help us to persist in the face of challenges. Renew our hearts and remind us that your grace is working in us and through us so we may play a small part in the building of your kingdom. Amen.
Mary, bright dawn of the new world, Mother of the living, to you do we entrust the cause of life. Look down, O Mother, upon the vast numbers of babies to be born, of the poor whose lives are made difficult, of men and women who are victims of brutal violence, of the elderly and the sick killed by indifference or out of misguided mercy. Grant that all who believe in your Son may proclaim the Gospel of life with honesty and love to the people of our time. Obtain for them the grace to accept that Gospel as a gift ever new, the joy of celebrating it with gratitude throughout their lives and the courage to bear witness to it resolutely, in order to build, together with all people of good will, the civilization of truth and love, to the praise and glory of God, the Creator and Lover of life. Amen.
Father and maker of all, you adorn all creation with splendor and beauty, and fashion human lives in your image and likeness. Awaken in every heart reverence for the work of your hands, and renew among your people a readiness to nurture and sustain your precious gift of life.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayer for a Diverse Community
Creator of all races and ethnicities, help us see that a diverse community is the way to deepen our lives and to know you more deeply.
Guide us to see that entering into a vital and just relationship with others who are different from us is the way to make ourselves whole.
Guard us from fear of the other, from the fear that our own security is threatened if we become truly willing to make a place at the table for all.
Open us to live out what we profess to believe: That our true security is in You and in your call to justice and peace, That we are a part of Your global family, That, because of Your Incarnation, the human dignity of everyone is sacred, And that we are constantly called to conversion and inclusive community.
We pray that You help us recognize any forms of racism in our hearts, And in our legal systems and social structures. Forgive us our sins of exclusion. Heal our souls and spirits. Ground us in compassion for all through Your grace.
Help us take the steps You call us to take
To build a more just community, Where difference is respected And where we can join all hands And rejoice in the common good.
Through the mercy of God, we pray. Amen.
Advent Prayers
Prayer unites us to God; it puts us in communication with God. It binds our spirit with the Spirit of God, our heart with the heart of God. Prayer is a creative encounter with God that generates something new in us.
-Blessed William Joseph Chaminade
Dear God, waiting is very hard for us. We’re used to getting things when we want them. Help us be better at waiting. Help us see how you wait for us all the time: You wait for us to turn away from sin and follow you. You wait for us to remember to say our prayers. You wait for us to speak only words of kindness. You wait for us to thank you for our blessings. Thank you for being so patient with us. Help us be patient too. Amen.
Lord, people waited thousands of years for the Savior. Sometimes it feels that long when we wait for something. Help us wait patiently this Advent for the gift of your Son. Thank you for sending baby Jesus to light our world. May we be a light to others this Advent. We ask this through Jesus, the light of the world. Amen.
Dear Lord, patience is a virtue. Patience eventually grows within us. Help us become patient, Lord. Calm our anxiousness. When we have a hard time waiting our turn, help us wait quietly. When we’re waiting in line, help us to be courteous. When we’re learning new things, help us be patient with ourselves. Remind us, Lord, that you lived patiently. Even when you were anxious, you were kind to everyone. With your help, may we do the same. Amen.
Dear Lord, you told us heaven is a wonderful place and that someday we’ll be happy with you there. Help us live every day in anticipation of heaven. Help us realize that we’re on a journey to get closer to you each day. Help us make the best of every day, knowing each day is a chance to please you, honor you, and grow in our faith with you. If we love and follow you, heaven will be worth the wait. Thank you for loving us so much. Amen.
Dear Lord, your mother, Mary, had a long wait for you. She was unsure of what was in store, yet she waited with faith, putting her trust in you. When we must wait, help us wait as she did, in complete trust in you. And when our waiting is done, help us accept the outcome with grace, just as Mary did. We ask this through you as we honor your mother, who loves us and gave us you. Amen.
All giving Father, we thank you for your baby son, Jesus. On the day of his birth, heaven and Earth were joined in joy. Help us always feel the joy of Jesus and fill every day with his love, his birth, his death, and his resurrection –all eternal signs of his and your love for us. We thank you in the name of the choirs of angels who sing your praises. Amen.
Dear God, you sent your son, Jesus, as the light of the world. His birth broke through the darkness of sin and brought hope and love to a world in desperate need. Our world is still in need of his love and hope. Continue to let the birth of Christ shine as a beacon for those who live in darkness, as hope for those who live in fear, and as joy for those who live in sadness. All things are possible through you. Amen.
Loving God, Christmas is a time of giving, but sometimes we think it’s more about receiving. Fill us with your love this Christmas so we remember this day isn’t about toys, or games, or travel, but about you. Help us realize that Christ is the most important part of Christmas. Bless us with the gift of giving. Help us give your love, your peace, and your joy all year. Amen.
Dear Jesus, everywhere we turn We’re persuaded to spend money. Help us remember that money can’t buy the best gifts. Help us remember that loving words, loving actions, loving thoughts, and loving gestures are the true gifts of Christmas.
Help us remember that the gift of ourselves is what this day is all about. We ask this through you who gave yourself to us. Amen.
Dear God, the birthday of your son, Jesus, was a day of eternal joy in heaven. Thank you for our birthdays too. When others celebrate our birthdays, we’re reminded we’re an important part of your creation.
Help us respect ourselves as your special creations and honor others on their special days. Thank you for Christmas Day, when we can celebrate Jesus’ birth, the most special birthday of all. Amen.
Mary, inspired by your readiness to accept all that God would work in you, we offer you our hearts and lives so that we too might bring forth into our world Jesus, the Savior.
May we be humble and compassionate and come to say as you did, “Behold the servant of the Lord.” Amen
Mary, we come to you as once did the shepherds and kings, to find Jesus, our King and Shepherd. We offer you our lives today.
May we always find Jesus with you and treasure all the wondrous things which come to those who search for Jesus in faith.
May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
ADVENT PRAYERS
In this Advent of expectation draw us together in unity, that our praise and worship might echo in these walls and also through our lives. In this Advent of expectation draw us together in mission, that the hope within might be the song we sing, and the melody of our lives. In this Advent of expectation draw us together in service, that the path we follow might lead us from a stable to a glimpse of eternity.
The Advent story of hope and mystery, anticipation, preparation, a kingdom of this world and the next, and a king appearing when we least expect. Heaven touching earth, the footsteps of the divine walking dusty roads as once they did in Eden, and a people, searching for a Savior, and walking past the stable. Open eyes and hearts, that this might be an Advent of hope to the world.
ADVENT PRAYERS
God of hope, who brought love into this world, be the love that dwells between us.
God of hope, who brought peace into this world, be the peace that dwells between us.
God of hope, who brought joy into this world, be the joy that dwells between us. God of hope, the rock we stand upon, be the center, the focus of our lives always, and particularly this Advent time.
Advent God, we journey with you, to Bethlehem’s stable and a new-born King, ears attuned to the song of angels, eyes alert for Bethlehem’s star. Forgive us if on our journey if we are distracted by the tempting offers of this world. Keep our hearts aflame with the hope of Christmas, and the promise of a Savior. Amen
God of hope
be with us in our Advent journey to the stable and beyond, be with us in our meeting and in our travelling together, be with us in our worship and our praying together, be with us in our Advent journey to the stable and beyond, our God of hope.
This Advent-time we remember Mary and Joseph, giving thanks for their faithfulness, courage and obedience, stepping out into the unknown in the strength of your Spirit, playing their part in the fulfilment of your plan to bring your prodigal people home again.
We pray that their example might be the pattern of our lives, that when your gentle whisper breaks through the clamor of this world and into our small corner, we might be ready to listen, and having listened, to act. Amen.
Restore us, O Lord, we pray, bring us back to that place where we once met, as shepherds to the stable after hearing angels sing. Bring us back to that place when our love was fresh, not embarrassed to express itself in praise to our heavenly King. Restore us, O Lord, we pray. Amen.
In this season of expectation
We prepare to welcome Christ Jesus, Messiah into the bustle of our lives and the hard to find moments of solitude. We prepare to welcome Christ Jesus, Messiah into our homes and situations along with friends and families. We prepare to welcome Christ Jesus, Messiah into our hearts, and those often hidden parts of our lives. We prepare to welcome Christ Jesus, Messiah for beneath the surface of your story is an inescapable fact You entered this world as vulnerable as any one of us in order to nail that vulnerability to the cross. Our fears, our insecurities and our sins all that can separate us from God exchanged by your Grace for Love. We cannot comprehend the reasoning only marvel that Salvation comes to us through a baby born in a stable, and reaches out to a world in need. Amen.
God of hope and promise, be with us throughout this Advent season and draw us ever closer as we journey together toward the stable and the birth of your Son, our Savior. Amen
Father God, prepare our hearts not only for the celebration to come, but also for sharing that Good News with friends, family and work colleagues should opportunity arise. Grant us courage and a real willingness to talk about the love that came down to earth and walked among us. Amen
God of majesty and power
Who spoke and this world was Who breathed and this world lived Who counts the hairs upon our head Who sees our thoughts and reads our hearts Who loves us more than we deserve how can we not bring today our sacrifice of praise? for in the child at Bethlehem lies the promise of intimacy with a Savior who would die even for me and the promise of an eternity in which to praise you more each day God of promise we praise your name. Amen
To you O Lord we bring our lives troubled, broken or at ease a sacrificial offering for you to use. Take away our selfishness and teach us to love as you loved. Take away our sense of pride and show us the meaning of humility. Take away our blindness and show us the world through your eyes. Take away our greed and teach us how to give as you gave. Show us your ways. Teach us your paths, that we might walk with you more closely, our hand in your hand, our feet in your footsteps. From the baby in a stable to eternity, Amen.
You challenge us this Advent time this season of preparation to put aside our pride and understand our need for repentance, forgiveness, and mercy less of self, more of you. Preparation for our journey to the stable and beyond, purify our hearts sanctify our lives, that we might serve you faithfully this day and all days. Amen
Rejoice in the Lord always shout out his name for God is with us our God is with us the God of our salvation in whom alone we trust. Rejoice in the Lord always shout out his name for God is our Father He draws us home by streams of living water where we shall thirst no more. Rejoice in the Lord always shout out his name He knows our thoughts understands our hearts and enables us to become the people we were meant to be. Amen
Lenten/Eastertime Prayers
What happens in prayer should permeate everything else in our life, and everything we do during the day should predispose us to be with God in prayer. Jesus himself reminds us that we need to pray without ceasing.
-Blessed William Joseph Chaminade
Loving Father, I invite you into my life today and make myself available to you. Help me to become the-best-version-of-myself by seeking your will and becoming a living example of your love in the world.
Open my heart to the areas of my life that need to change in order for me to carry out the mission and experience the joy you have imagined for my life. Inspire me to live the Catholic faith in ways that are dynamic and engaging. Show me how to best get involved in the life of my parish. Make our community hungry for best practices and continuous learning. Give me courage when I am afraid, hope when I am discouraged, and clarity in times of decision. Teach me to enjoy uncertainty and lead your Church to become all you imagined it would be for the people of our times.
Amen.
Mary, you were a powerful and quiet presence in the life of your Son. Let us humbly attend, as you did, to the God who accomplishes great things in us, as we work and pray during this season of Lent. May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
Prayer for Ash Wednesday
God of goodness and mercy, hear my prayer as I begin this Lenten journey with you.
Let me be honest with myself as I look into my heart and soul, noticing the times I turn away from you.
Guide me as I humbly seek to repent and return to your love. May humility guide my efforts to be reconciled with you and live forever in your abundant grace. Transform me this Lent, heavenly Father. Give me the strength to commit myself to grow closer to you each day. Amen.
Dear Jesus, sometimes we’re just like the apostles were after you died. We don’t understand why bad things happen to good people.
We get lonely and sad and mad and confused. We’re frustrated when we can’t make everything better. Your resurrection showed us we needn’t worry. We need only put our faith and trust in you. Help us be strong when we don’t understand. Help us wait patiently until we rise out of our troubles. Amen.
Your Word reveals to us a simple truth, that sin entered this world through human folly in believing we could be like you, and permeated history through envy, selfishness and greed. Yet sin, which holds us tight within its grasp cannot resist a heart that is touched by your grace through Jesus Christ, cannot contend with Living Water pouring into hearts and souls. Your Word reveals to us a simple truth, that sin is defeated and we can become the people we were always meant to be, by your grace through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Jesus, Lamb of God, when you walked this earth you did not consider heavenly equality, though that was yours to choose, but took the role of servant, and in humility and obedience allowed the rough nails of our sin to be hammered into your flesh for the sake of our salvation. And so it is that we acknowledge you as Lord of all, to the glory of God the Father, Son and Spirit, Three. Amen.
Forgive those things we have done which have caused you sadness, and those things we should have done that would have brought you joy. In both we have failed ourselves, and you. Bring us back to that place where our journey began, when we said that we would follow the way that you first trod. Lead us to the Cross and meet us there.
You chose a people for your own, to lavish love upon, raise up prophets, priests and kings, to be the nation through which the Messiah would be revealed to the world, and through whom your kingdom would come. You chose this people gathered here to be your children, loved and blessed, forgiven through the one who knew no sin, the King of Glory whose crown was made of thorns, and whose name we raise in worship. Amen.
Forty days alone, a wilderness of thoughts, tempting and inviting thoughts, which could so easily have distracted you from your task, your mission, your vision. Yet you emerged, stronger and more attuned to all that had to be done, despite a time constraint that to our eyes would have seemed hopeless. We too live in stressful times. Demands are made of our time that leave so little for the important things of life. We are easily distracted in the wilderness of our lives, by every call to go this way or that, to turn stone to bread leap from mountains, and do all that would keep us from the truth. We listen to the voices of this world, and ignore the one who endured all this and so much more, and emerged triumphant, that we might not have to suffer so.
Forgive us, Father, when we get distracted from our task. Forgive us those times when we try to be all things to all, and fail to be anything to anyone. Amen.
Dear Jesus, your empty tomb brought joy to the disciples. They were joyful because you had risen and come back to life. They were joyful because they recognized you on the road to Emmaus. Help us see you in others and our world. May we never be blind to you, and may we always follow you out of darkness and into eternal life. Amen.
You were a man of suffering acquainted with grief, loved and despised in equal measure. You understand humanity, know our failings, love us despite the people that we are.
When we, like Peter, deny you by word or action, forgive us.
When we, like Judas, are tempted to follow a different path, forgive us.
When we, like those in the crowd allow you to be crucified, forgive us.
Bring us to the foot of the Cross to stand next to the one who, looking into your eyes declared ‘Surely this is the Son of God' Amen.
Lord, grant us simplicity of faith and a generosity of service that gives without counting cost. A life overflowing with Grace poured out from the One who gave everything, that we might show the power of love to a broken world, and share the truth from a living Word.
Lord, grant us simplicity of faith, and a yearning to share it. Amen.
Heavenly Father, you sent your son, Jesus, to earth to show us how much you loved us. How happy you must have been to have him come to you when he rose from the dead and was reunited with you in heaven. Now heaven is possible for us, because of his love. Keep us safe and free from harm until it’s our turn to join you in heaven. Help us spread your message of love just as Jesus did. We ask this through your Holy Spirit of love. Amen.
Mary, in the brilliant light of Easter, Teach us that nothing is impossible for God. We dedicate this day to you. May God look upon our struggles and disappointments, as once God looked upon your lowliness, so that we might become the sons and daughters of the Resurrection. May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
God of life, you have given joy to the world by the resurrection of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Through the prayers of His mother, the Virgin Mary, bring us to the happiness of eternal life. May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen
Country Prayer for Lent
Dear Lord, we are now in the holy season of Lent. We begin to realize anew that these are the days of salvation, these are the acceptable days. We know that we are all sinners. We know that in many things we have all offended Your infinite majesty. We know that sin destroys Your life in us as a drought withers the leaves and chokes the life from the land, leaving an arid, dusty desert. Help us now, Lord, in our feeble attempts to make up for past sin. Bless our efforts with the rich blessing of Your grace. Make us realize ever more our need of penance and of mortification. Help us to see, in our ordinary difficulties and duties, in the trials and temptations of every day, the best opportunity of making up for past infidelities. Every day we are so often reminded in field and wood, in sky and stream, of Your own boundless generosity to us. Help us to realize that You are never outdone in generosity, and that the least thing we do for You will be rewarded, full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and flowing over. Then we shall see, in our own souls, how the desert can blossom, and the dry and wasted land can bring forth the rich, useful fruit that was expected of it from the beginning. Amen.
Lord God, you who breathed the spirit of life within me. Draw out of me the light and life you created. Help me to find my way back to you. Help me to use my life to reflect your glory and to serve others as your son Jesus did. Amen.
Loving God, you call us back to you with all of our hearts. I feel your call for me deep in my heart and I know you want me back as much as I want to return.
Please, Lord, give me the wisdom to know how to return. Make my journey back to you this Lent one of grace, forgiveness and gentle love. Amen.
Father of my soul, Mother of my heart, I know your love for me is limitless beyond imagining. You care for me as a loving parent. Through my smallest Lenten sacrifices, help me to become less selfish and more aware of your ways. Fan the flame of my desire to draw ever closer to you. Guide me to seek your love. Amen.
Dear Lord, I know you receive what is in my heart. Let me be inspired by your words and by the actions of your son, Jesus. Guide me to make sacrifices this Lent in the spirit of self-denial and with greater attention to you and to those around me.
Help me to believe that you will grant me this because of the sacrifice Jesus made for me. Amen.
Lord, I’m not always eager to do your will. I’d often much rather do my own will. Please be with me on this Lenten journey and help me to remember that your own spirit can guide me in the right direction. I want to fix my weaknesses but the task seems overwhelming. But I know that with your help, anything can be done. With a grateful heart, I acknowledge your love and know that without you, I can do nothing. Amen.
Creator of my Life, renew me: bring me to new life in you. Touch me and make me feel whole again. Help me to see your love in the passion, death and resurrection of your son. Help me to observe Lent in a way that allows me to celebrate that love. Prepare me for these weeks of Lent as I feel both deep sorrow for my sins and your undying love for me. Amen.
Loving God, there is so much darkness in my life and I hide from you. Take my hand and lead me out of the shadows of my fear. Help me to change my heart. Bring me to your truth and help me to respond to your generous love. Let me recognize the fullness of your love which will fill my life. Free me from the darkness in my heart. Amen.
Lord, your commandment of love is so simple and so challenging. Help me to let go of my pride, to be humble in my penance. I want only to live the way you ask me to love, to love the way you ask me to live. I ask this through your son, Jesus, who stands at my side today and always.
Amen.
God in heaven and in my life, guide me and protect me. I so often believe I can save myself and I always end in failure. Lead me with your love away from harm and guide me on the right path. May your Spirit inspire the Church and make us an instrument of your love and guidance. Thank you for your care for me. Amen.
God of Love, through this Lenten journey, purify my desires to serve you. Free me from any temptations to judge others, to place myself above others.
Please let me surrender even my impatience with others, that with your love and your grace, I might be less and less absorbed with myself, and more and more full of the desire to follow you, in laying down my life according to your example.
Amen.
Loving God, I hear your invitation, "Come back to me" and I am filled with such a longing to return to you. Show me the way to return. Lead me this day in good works I do in your name and send your Spirit to guide me and strengthen my faith. I ask only to feel your love in my life today.
Amen.
Loving God, Caring parent, I am a child who so often turns my back on your love. Please accept my small acts of sorrow today and help to release me from the self-absorption that closes my heart to you.
As I journey through Lent, let me remember the feast you have prepared for me in the resurrection and let me be filled with thanks to you.
Amen.
God of infinite love, you shower me with limitless gifts in my life. In my every thought and action today guide me to the bright and loving light of your kingdom. Help me to be aware of the many ways you allow me to share in your life so intimately today. Thank you for the gifts you have placed in my life. Let me be grateful every moment of this day. Amen.
Loving Father,
So many times I turn away from you and always you welcome me back. Your mercy and love gives me confidence Thank you for the invitation to share, fast and pray so that you can form a new heart within me. Your powerful compassion for my weaknesses leads me to ask for mercy and await with great hope the Easter joy you share with us.
Amen.
God of Mercy and Understanding, I know that with help I can open my heart more fully to the mysteries of the suffering and death of your son.
Help me to be humble in this journey and remember that any mercy and compassion I feel is a gift from you. I await the joy of Easter with new longing and patience. Amen.