Purple Prose
There are 150 Psalms, so you could pray one each day and easily get through the whole book of Psalms twice in a year. (You can even afford to miss a few days. And be prepared when you get to Psalm 119!)
FIND THE SAINTS
The saints were ordinary people in whom God’s grace was extraordinarily active. Many of them wrote and spoke honestly about the struggles and successes of their prayer. Many of them knew fellow saints to share their experiences. Now, the saints are in the perfect place in heaven to intercede for you and to help you improve your prayer. You literally have friends in high places! Foster a Devotion
Develop a devotion to Our Lady or a saint who is your patron either in name, by occupation or vocation in life or by interest. Learn the prayers associated with the saint, and seek his or her help and intercession. Pray a Novena
Pray a novena (nine days of prayer) leading up to the feast of your patron or favorite saint. Take time each day to learn from their example in relying on the Lord and growing in spiritual discipline and gratitude. Don’t forget your guardian angel. This rhyming, easyto-memorize prayer is an effective and powerful weapon against temptation and darkness, for children and adults alike. Angel of God My guardian dear To whom His love Commits me here Ever this day Be at my side To light and guard To rule and guide. Amen.
FIND THE SPIRIT
Before Pentecost, the disciples prayed in expectation for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Before our archdiocesan synod the entire archdiocese did the same. Archbishop Vigneron reminds us in Unleash the Gospel, “Prayer is the way we access the unlimited divine power of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate” (Guidepost 10). Never forget to call upon the Holy Spirit and beg HIM for a rich and deep prayer life. In fact, don’t wait. Pray for it right now! Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful. Enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created and you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen.
ef Fr. Brian Meldrum was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Detroit in 2015 and served as the Associate Pastor at Our Lady of the Lakes Parish in Waterford, Michigan. Before attending Sacred Heart Major Seminary, he was a music minister and theatre director and member of St. Thecla Parish in Clinton Township, Michigan. He is currently assigned to graduate studies in Sacred Scripture at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Purple Prose is a regular feature in The Collegiate. Alumni are invited to submit essays on De La Salle related topics to Collegiate editor Vicki Granger for consideration.
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