Thomasian Handbook of Prayers

THOMASIAN HANDBOOK OF PRAYERS

Thomasian Handbook of Prayers

University of Santo Tomas 2024

In honor of St. Thomas Aquinas on the Double Jubilee celebration of the 750th anniversary of his dies natalis (7 March 1274) and the 700th anniversary of his canonization (July 18, 1323).

Nihil Obstat: REV.

FR. CARMELO P. ARADA, JR., S.Th.L.-M.A. Vice Chancellor

Imprimatur: + JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA Archbishop of Manila

Prepared by:

Office of the Vice Rector for Religious Affairs

University of Santo Tomas

In the cover:

Cover image based on figure of St. Thomas Aquinas, collection of the UST Museum.

VI. Some Selected Psalms.

22

23

51

63

91

INTRODUCTION

Vocal prayer is employed, not in order to tell God something He does not know, but in order to lift up the mind of the person praying or of other persons to God.

-Saint Thomas Aquinas, S . Th ., II-II, q . 83, art . 12

Even before we pray, God already knows what we need and want . Rather than informing God, reminding him or convincing him to change his mind - all of which are needless - what vocal prayer really does is to initiate a conversation and create an occasion for us to spend some quality time with him . In this way, our minds and the minds of those praying with us are lifted up to God - and not only our minds but our hearts and our entire being as well - like incense rising to His heavenly throne with a fragrant odor .

It is in this spirit that we present to you this handbook of prayers, which we hope you would always carry in your person throughout your Thomasian journey, and beyond . May you also find this booklet handy, especially in those moments when words escape us and “we do not know what to pray for as we ought” (Rom 8: 26) . Like any handbook, it only contains what is basic and most essential . Nonetheless, we pray that it does what it is meant to do: to start a conversation and be an occasion for you to grow in your relationship with God, which is the truest aim of your Catholic education .

The prayers in this handbook are arranged beginning with the most important and central: the Sacrament of the Eucharist in which we do not only commune with God but receive God in the person of Jesus in Holy Communion . Next we have the rosary, so dear a devotion to the Dominican family gathered under the tutelage of the Blessed Virgin Mary . We have also included some of the beautiful prayers composed by our patron Saint Thomas Aquinas for us to be able to pray not only through him but with him by using his very words . Then, we have curated a selection of prayers from our rich Catholic heritage, short enough to keep this booklet handy, wide enough to cover our needs, and hopefully with a distinctly Dominican and Thomasian flavor .

THE ORDER OF MASS

Taking part in the Eucharistic sacrifice, which is the source and summit of the whole Christian life, they offer the Divine Victim to God, and offer themselves along with It. – Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, 11

THE INTRODUCTORY RITES

GREETING

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit . All respond: Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all .

Or: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ .

Or:

The Lord be with you . All respond: And with your spirit.

PENITENTIAL ACT

Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries .

A brief pause for silence follows . Then all recite together the formula of general confession:

I confess to almighty God and to you, my

brothers

and sisters, that I have greatly

sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, And, striking their breast, they say: through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault;

Then they continue:

therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

The absolution by the Priest follows:

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life . All respond: Amen.

Or:

Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries .

A brief pause for silence follows .

The Priest: Have mercy on us, O Lord . All respond: For we have sinned against you. The Priest: Show us, O Lord, your mercy . All respond: And grant us your salvation.

The absolution by the Priest follows:

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life . All respond: Amen.

Or:

Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries .

A brief pause for silence follows . The Priest, or a Deacon or another minister, then says the following or other invocations with Kyrie, eleison (Lord, have mercy):

The Priest: You were sent to heal the contrite of heart: Lord, have mercy . (Or: Kyrie, eleison .)

All respond: Lord, have mercy . (Or: Kyrie, eleison.)

The Priest: You came to call sinners: Christ, have mercy . (Or: Christe, eleison .)

All respond: Christ, have mercy. (Or: Christe, eleison .)

The Priest: You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us:

Lord, have mercy . (Or: Kyrie, eleison .)

All respond: Lord, have mercy . (Or: Kyrie, eleison.)

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life . All respond: Amen.

The Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy) invocations follow, unless they have just occurred in a formula of the Penitential Act .

V. Lord, have mercy . R . Lord, have mercy.

V. Christ, have mercy . R . Christ, have mercy.

V. Lord, have mercy . R . Lord, have mercy.

V. Kyrie, eleison . R . Kyrie, eleison.

V. Christe, eleison . R . Christe, eleison.

V. Kyrie, eleison . R . Kyrie, eleison.

GLORIA

When it is prescribed, the Gloria is either sung or said:

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.

Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

COLLECT

Let us pray .

And all pray in silence with the Priest for a while .

Then the Priest, with hands extended, says the Collect prayer, at the end of which the people acclaim: Amen.

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

READING/S AND RESPONSORIAL PSALM

The reader goes to the ambo and reads the First Reading, while all sit and listen . At the end of each reading, the reader acclaims:

The word of the Lord .

All respond: Thanks be to God.

The psalmist or cantor sings or says the Psalm, with the people making the response .

After this, if there is to be a Second Reading, a reader reads it from the ambo, as above .

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION AND READING

There follows the Alleluia or another chant laid down by the rubrics, as the liturgical time requires . The Deacon or the Priest then proceeds to the ambo, where he says:

The Lord be with you .

All respond: And with your spirit.

The Deacon, or the Priest:

A reading from the holy Gospel according to N .

The people acclaim: Glory to you, O Lord.

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord .

All respond: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

HOMILY

CREED

At the end of the Homily, the Symbol or Profession of Faith or Creed, when prescribed, is either said or sung:

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven,

At the words that follow up to and including and became man, all bow . and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Instead of the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, especially during Lent and Easter time, the baptismal Symbol of the Church, known as the Apostles’ Creed, may be used .

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

At the words that follow, up to and including the Virgin Mary, all bow . who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

THE LITURGY OF EUCHARIST

The Priest, standing at the altar, takes the paten with the bread and holds it slightly raised above the altar with both hands, saying in a low voice:

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer you: fruit of the earth and work of human hands, it will become for us the bread of life .

If, however, the Offertory Chant is not sung, the Priest may speak these words aloud; at the end, the people may acclaim:

Blessed be God for ever.

The Priest then takes the chalice and holds it slightly raised above the altar with both hands, saying in a low voice:

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the wine we offer you: fruit of the vine and work of human hands, it will become our spiritual drink .

If, however, the Offertory Chant is not sung, the Priest may speak these words aloud; at the end, the people may acclaim:

Blessed be God for ever.

Standing at the middle of the altar, facing the people, extending and then joining his hands, he says:

Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters), that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father .

The people rise and reply:

May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church.

PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS

The Priest, with hands extended, says the Prayer over the Offerings, at the end of which the people acclaim:

Amen.

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER II

The Priest: The Lord be with you . All respond: And with your spirit.

The Priest: Lift up your hearts . All respond: We lift them up to the Lord.

The Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God . All respond: It is right and just.

The Priest, with hands extended, continues the Preface . At the end of the Preface he joins his hands and concludes the Preface with the people, singing or saying aloud:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

The Priest, with hands extended, says:

You are indeed Holy, O Lord, the fount of all holiness . Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray, by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall, so that they may become for us the Body and + Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ .

At the time he was betrayed and entered willingly into his Passion, he took bread and, giving thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:

TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT, FOR THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU .

He shows the consecrated host to the people, places it again on the paten, and genuflects in adoration . After this, he continues:

In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took the chalice and, once more giving thanks, he gave it to his disciples, saying:

TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT, FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD, THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT, WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS . DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME .

He shows the chalice to the people, places it on the corporal, and genuflects in adoration . Then he says:

The mystery of faith .

And the people continue, acclaiming:

We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.

Or:

When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.

Or:

Save us, Savior of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.

Then the Priest, with hands extended, says:

Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial of his Death and Resurrection, we offer you, Lord, the Bread of life and the Chalice of salvation,

giving thanks that you have held us worthy to be in your presence and minister to you .

Humbly we pray that, partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ, we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit .

Remember, Lord, your Church, spread throughout the world, and bring her to the fullness of charity, together with N . our Pope and N . our Bishop, [and his assistant Bishops] and all the clergy .

Remember also our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection, and all who have died in your mercy: welcome them into the light of your face .

Have mercy on us all, we pray, that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with blessed Joseph, her Spouse with the blessed Apostles, and all the Saints who have pleased you throughout the ages, we may merit to be coheirs to eternal life, and may praise and glorify you through your Son, Jesus Christ .

He takes the chalice and the paten with the host and, raising both, he says:

Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, for ever and ever .

The people sing or say the acclamation: Amen.

THE COMMUNION RITE

THE LORD’S PRAYER

At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

He extends his hands and, together with the people, continues:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

With hands extended, the Priest alone continues, saying:

Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ .

All respond:

For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever.

Then the Priest, with hands extended, says aloud:

Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you; look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will . Who live and reign for ever and ever .

All respond: Amen.

The Priest: The peace of the Lord be with you always . All respond: And with your spirit.

Let us offer each other the sign of peace .

All offer one another a sign, in keeping with local customs, that expresses peace, communion, and charity .

BREAKING OF THE BREAD

The Priest takes the Host, breaks it over the paten, and places a small piece in the chalice, saying quietly:

May this mingling of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ bring eternal life to us who receive it .

Meanwhile the following is sung or said:

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

The Priest genuflects, takes the host and, holding it slightly raised above the paten or above the chalice, while facing the people, says aloud:

Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world . Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb .

Then the Priest says together with the people:

Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

After the priest has received the Body and Blood of Christ, he takes the paten or ciborium and approaches the communicants . The Priest raises a host slightly and shows it to each of the communicants, saying:

The Body of Christ .

The communicant replies: Amen.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Standing at the altar or at the chair and facing the people, with hands joined, the Priest says:

Let us pray .

All pray in silence with the Priest for a while, unless silence has just been observed . Then the Priest, with hands extended, says the Prayer after Communion, at the end of which the people acclaim: Amen.

THE CONCLUDING RITES

DISMISSAL

If necessary, any brief announcements to the people follow here . Then the dismissal takes place . The Priest, facing the people and extending his hands, says:

The Lord be with you .

All respond: And with your spirit.

On certain days or occasions, this formula of blessing is preceded, in accordance with the rubrics, by another more solemn formula of blessing or by a prayer over the people .

The Priest blesses the people, saying:

May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit .

All respond: Amen.

Then the Deacon, or the Priest himself, with hands joined and facing the people, says:

Go forth, the Mass is ended .

Or: Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord .

Or: Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life .

Or: Go in peace .

All respond: Thanks be to God.

THE HOLY ROSARY

The history of the Rosary shows how this prayer was used in particular by the Dominicans at a difficult time for the Church due to the spread of heresy. Today we are facing new challenges. Why should we not once more have recourse to the Rosary, with the same faith as those who have gone before us?

-Pope Saint John Paul II, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, 17

Dominicans have traditionally prayed the Rosary in a way that is slightly unique than the ordinary way .

INTRODUCTORY PRAYERS

V. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you .

R . Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus .

V. Lord, + open my lips .

R . And my mouth shall declare your praise

V. God, + come to my assistance .

R . Lord, make haste to help me .

V. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

R . as it was in the beginning, is now, will be for ever . Amen .

THE MYSTERIES OF THE HOLY ROSARY

The Rosary invites us to meditate on the Joyful Mysteries, the Luminous Mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries, and the Glorious Mysteries . One contemplates key events in the life of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary while reciting the Lord’s Prayer, 10 Hail Marys and the Doxology .

It is customary to say the Joyful Mysteries on Monday and Saturday, the Luminous Mysteries on Thursday, the Sorrowful Mysteries on Tuesday and Friday, and the Glorious Mysteries on Wednesday and Sunday .

The first Mystery is announced . The Lord’s Prayer is prayed on the first large bead . Afterwards, on each of the next ten beads, a Hail Mary is prayed .

At the end of the “decade” of Hail Marys, one prays the “Doxology” and the “Fatima Prayer” is often added . Then, one announces the next mystery .

The Lord’s Prayer

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

The Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus . Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death . Amen .

The Doxology

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever . Amen .

The Fatima Prayer

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy .

THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES (Monday & Saturday)

1 . The Annunciation

2 . The Visitation

3 . The Birth of the Lord

4 . The Presentation of the Lord

5 . The Finding of the Lord in the Temple

THE LUMINOUS MYSTERIES (Thursday)

1 . The Baptism in the Jordan

2 . The Wedding at Cana

3 . The Proclamation of the Kingdom

4 . The Transfiguration

5 . The Institution of the Eucharist

THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES

(Tuesday & Friday)

1 . The Agony in the Garden

2 . The Scourging at the Pillar

3 . The Crowning with Thorns

4 . The Carrying of the Cross

5 . The Crucifixion and Death of our Lord

THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES

(Wednesday & Sunday)

1 . The Resurrection

2 . The Ascension

3 . The Descent of the Holy Spirit

4 . The Assumption of Mary into heaven

5 . The Coronation of Mary

CONCLUDING PRAYERS

The Dominican Rosary ends with the singing or recitation of a Marian hymn or the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, followed by the Final Prayer .

SALVE REGINA

Scan the QR Code to listen to the chant

Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, Hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope .

To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve . To you do we send up our sighs Mourning and weeping in this valley of tears . Turn then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile show unto us the blessed Fruit of your womb, Jesus .

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary . Salve, Regina, mater misericordiae; vita, dulcedo et spes nostra, salve. Ad te clamamus exsules filii Hevae. Ad te suspiramus gementes et flentes in hac lacrimarum valle.

Eia ergo, advocata nostra,  illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte.

Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,  nobis post hoc exsilium ostende.

O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria.

SUB TUUM PRAESIDIUM

We fly to Thy protection, O Holy Mother of God; Do not despise our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers,

O Glorious and Blessed Virgin .

Sub tuum praesidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genitrix.

Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus nostris, sed a periculis cunctis

libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta

THE LITANY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Especially on Marian feasts and solemnities

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 Spirit, Have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Pray for us. (repeat response after each line)

Holy Mother of God,

Holy Virgin of virgins,

Mother of Christ,

Mother of the Church,

Mother of mercy,

Mother of divine grace, Mother of hope,

Mother most pure,

Mother most chaste, Mother inviolate, Mother undefiled, Mother most amiable, Mother most admirable,

Mother of good counsel, Mother of our Creator,

Mother of our Savior, Virgin most prudent, Virgin most venerable, Virgin most renowned, Virgin most powerful, Virgin most merciful, Virgin most faithful, Mirror of justice, Seat of wisdom, Cause of our joy, Spiritual vessel, Vessel of honor, Singular vessel of devotion, Mystical rose, Tower of David, Tower of ivory, House of gold, Ark of the covenant, Gate of heaven, Morning star, Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Solace of migrants, Comforter of the afflicted, Help of Christians, Queen of Angels, Queen of Patriarchs,

Queen of Prophets, Queen of Apostles, Queen of Martyrs, Queen of Confessors, Queen of Virgins, Queen of all Saints, Queen conceived without original sin, Queen assumed into heaven, Queen of the most holy Rosary, Queen of Families, Queen of Peace, Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,  Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,  Have mercy on us.

FINAL PRAYER

V. Queen of the Holy Rosary, pray for us . R . That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ Our Lord . R . Amen.

In the Dominican Order, it is customary to add the following prayer followed by the short Responsory in honor of Saint Joseph .

Extend, O Lord, to Your servants Your heavenly aid, that we may seek You with all our hearts, and obtain what we ask . Hear, O God, our prayers and grant to our deceased associates the rest of heaven; and to Your Church peace, through the intercession of the glorious Virgin Mary, and the merits of Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ . R . Amen.

RESPONSORY IN HONOR OF SAINT JOSEPH

V. Behold the faithful and prudent steward . R . Whom the Lord has set over His household.

V. The Lord has shown him His love and covered him with glory . R . He has clothed him in splendid garment.

Let us pray: Father, You entrusted our Savior to the care of St . Joseph . By the help of his prayers, may Your Church continue to serve her Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever .

R . Amen.

CONCLUSION

V. May the divine assistance remain always with us . R . Amen.

V. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace . R . Amen.

V. And may the blessing of Almighty God, + the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, descend upon us and

remain with us always .

R . Amen.

INTERMYSTERY HYMNS

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During the Novena to Our Lady of the Rosary and other solemn occasions, it is our custom to sing these hymns between the mysteries .

After the first mystery

Tayo ay manikluhod

sa Birheng Ina ng Diyos

Rosaryo ay dasalin

nang mataimtim .

After the second mystery

Halinang lahat at makiisa

sa pagdasal ng Rosaryo ni Maria

Aliw at ligaya sa pagdurusa!

sa pagdasal ng Rosaryo ni Maria

Aliw at ligaya sa pagdurusa!

After the third mystery

Ang ‘yong rosaryo, Inang mahal

Kapayapaan ng sanlibutan!

Ang ‘yong rosaryo, Inang mahal ay kaligtasan ng sanlibutan!

After the fourth mystery

Mabuhay ang Birhen!

Mabuhay ang Rosario!

Mabuhay Santo Domingo, na nagtatag nito!

PERPETUAL NOVENA IN HONOR OF OUR LADY OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY

OPENING PRAYER

Leader: Lord, our God .

PEOPLE: I come before You once more to offer You my prayers . I have made my pleas to you again and again, and each moment I do, the more my faith increases that You are truly the God of life and love .

However, there have been a number of times that I fail to call on You . That I fail to love my neighbors . That I fail to keep my promises . That I fail to ask for pardon and to give pardon to others . That I fail to give thanks for all the blessings that come my way . And yet in all these moments You are ever present O Lord to remind me that You are just around to take me back once more if I will but come to You .

By meditating on the mysteries of the Holy Rosary especially in this perpetual novena in honor of the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, may I be led to find Your presence in my life as Mother Mary found it in her own life . In every mystery of my joy, in every mystery of light in my life, in every mystery of sorrow, and in every mystery of my glory, may I be able to recognize Your hand that I may know you are indeed the Emmanuel—the God who is with us, now and forever . Amen .

In silence, offer to God your personal petitions you wish to obtain through the intercession of Our Lady . Pray 3 Hail Marys .

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Leader: Queen of the most Holy Rosary,

PEOPLE: We gather as one people in celebration of a battle fought and won; a vow made and fulfilled; a time remembered and held dear; a miracle experienced and kept alive; love received and returned; your patronage sought and thanked for; God praised, God adored!

Leader: Mahal naming Ina,

PEOPLE: As our lips move in whispered prayers, our hands over beads, our knees bend, our eyes look up to you, we plead for our mercy, your grace, your love .

Leader: O Mother of Peace,

PEOPLE: Give birth to God in our hearts . Give birth to Peace in our world . Give birth to the Word who heals all strife, conquers sin with love, overcomes death, brings us to life! As once you interceded for the victory of faith in these islands, pray for us, now, in our struggle for truth and justice, for peace and love in Christ .

Leader: O Queen of the Philippines,

PEOPLE: In your loving hands, you hold Jesus for us, our God, our King, our Savior . You hold Him for us to adore and serve, to love and find salvation in . O Mother and Queen, our hearts may be small but our love is enormous . And we ask you to come and to take your place in us, in the company of your beloved Son; to bless us with our abiding presence; to fill us and keep us in your love and protection; to lead us in the eternal Fiat and Magnificat to God, whose name we gather . Amen .

PRAYERS BY SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS

Therefore in this also let us follow the example of the Angelic Doctor, who never gave himself to reading or writing without first begging the blessing of God, who modestly confessed that whatever he knew he had acquired not so much by his own study and labor as by the divine gift - Pope Leo XIII, Aeterni Patris, 33

PRAYER BEFORE STUDY

Lord, true source of light and wisdom, give me a keen sense of understanding, a retentive memory and the capacity to grasp things correctly . Grant me the grace to be accurate in my expositions and the skill to express myself with thoroughness and clarity . Be with me at the start of my work, guide its progress and bring it to completion . Grant this through Christ, our Lord . Amen .

GRANT ME THE GRACE

Grant me the grace, O merciful God, to desire ardently all that is pleasing to Thee, to examine it prudently, to acknowledge it truthfully, and to accomplish it perfectly, for the praise and glory of Thy name . Amen .

DAILY PRAYER OF SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS

Excerpted and paraphrased from the Prayer for Ordering a Life Wisely

Grant me, O Lord my God, A mind to know you, A heart to seek you, Wisdom to find you, Conduct pleasing to you faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you . Amen .

PRAYER FOR ORDERING A LIFE WISELY

A prayer that Saint Thomas Aquinas used to recite daily before the Crucifix

O merciful God, grant that I may desire ardently, search prudently, recognize truly, and bring to perfect completion whatever is pleasing to You for the praise and glory of Your Name .

Put my life in order, O my God .

Grant that I may know what You require me to do . Bestow upon me the power to accomplish Your will, as is necessary and fitting for the salvation of my soul .

Grant to me, O Lord my God, that I may not falter in times of prosperity or adversity, so that I may not be conceited in the former, nor dejected in the latter .

May I not rejoice in anything unless it leads me to You nor be saddened by anything unless it turns me from You . May I desire to please no one, nor fear to displease anyone, but You .

May all transitory things, O Lord, be worthless to me and may all things eternal be ever cherished by me . May any joy without You be burdensome to me and may I not desire anything else but You . May all work, O Lord, delight me when done for Your sake and may all repose not centered in You be ever wearisome for me .

Grant unto me, my God, that I may direct my heart to You and that in my failures I may ever feel remorse for my sins and never lose the resolve to change .

O Lord my God, make me submissive without protest, poor without discouragement, chaste without regret, patient without complaint, humble without pretending, cheerful without frivolity, mature without gloom, and quick-witted without flippancy .

O Lord my God, let me fear You without losing hope, be truthful without guile, do good works without presumption, rebuke my neighbor without haughtiness, and—without hypocrisy— strengthen them by word and example .

Give to me, O Lord God, a watchful heart, which no capricious thought can lure away from You . Give to me a noble heart, which no unworthy desire can debase . Give to me a resolute heart, which no evil intention can divert . Give to me a stalwart heart, which no tribulation can overcome .

Give to me a temperate heart, which no violent passion can enslave .

Give to me, O Lord my God, understanding of You, diligence in seeking You, wisdom in finding You, discourse ever pleasing to You, perseverance in waiting for You, and confidence in finally embracing You .

Grant that with Your hardships I may be burdened in reparation here, that Your benefits I may use in gratitude upon the way, that in Your joys I may delight by glorifying You in the Kingdom of Heaven . You Who live and reign, God, world without end . Amen .

PRAYER BEFORE THE MASS

Almighty eternal God, behold, I come to the Sacrament of your Only Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, as one sick to the physician of life, as one unclean to the fountain of mercy, as one blind to the light of eternal brightness, as one poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth . I ask, therefore, from the abundance of your immense generosity, that you may graciously cure my sickness, wash away my defilement, give light to my blindness, enrich my poverty, clothe my nakedness, so that I may receive the bread of Angels, the King of kings and Lord of lords, with such reverence and humility, such contrition and devotion, such purity and faith, such purpose and intention as are conducive to the salvation of my soul .

Grant, I pray, that I may receive not only the Sacrament of the Lord’s Body and Blood, but also the reality and power of that Sacrament .

O most gentle God, grant that I may so receive the Body of your Only Begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ, which he took from the Virgin Mary, that I may be made worthy to be incorporated into his Mystical Body and to be counted among its members .

O most loving Father, grant that I may at last gaze for ever upon the unveiled face of your beloved Son, whom I, a wayfarer, propose to receive now veiled under these species: Who lives and reigns with you for ever and ever . Amen .

PRAYER AFTER THE MASS

I give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, who have been pleased to nourish me, a sinner and your unworthy servant, with the precious Body and Blood of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ: this through no merits of mine, but due solely to the graciousness of your mercy . And I pray that this Holy Communion may not be for me an offense to be punished, but a saving plea for forgiveness . May it be for me the armor of faith, and the shield of good will . May it cancel my faults, destroy concupiscence and carnal passion, increase charity and patience, humility and obedience and all the virtues, may it be a firm defense against the snares of all my enemies, both visible and invisible, the complete calming of my impulses, both of the flesh and of the spirit, a firm adherence to you, the one true God, and the joyful completion of my life’s course .

And I beseech you to lead me, a sinner, to that banquet beyond all telling, where with your Son and the Holy Spirit you are the true light of your Saints, fullness of satisfied desire, eternal gladness, consummate delight and perfect happiness . Through Christ our Lord .

O SACRUM CONVIVIUM

To be prayed before the Blessed Sacrament

O sacred banquet, in which Christ is received, the memory of his Passion is renewed, the soul is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us .

V. You have given them bread from heaven . R . Having all sweetness within it . Lord Jesus Christ, you gave us the Eucharist as the memorial of your suffering and death . May our worship of this sacrament of your Body and Blood help us to experience the salvation you won for us and the peace of the kingdom where you live with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever . Amen .

PRAYER TO ACQUIRE THE VIRTUES

O God, all-powerful and all-knowing, without beginning and without end, You Who are the source, the sustainer, and the rewarder of all virtues, grant that I may abide on the firm ground of faith, be sheltered by an impregnable shield of hope, and be adorned in the bridal garment of charity . Grant that I may through justice be subject to You, through prudence avoid the beguilements of the devil, through temperance exercise restraint, and through fortitude endure adversity with patience .

Grant that whatever good things I have, I may share generously with those who have not and that whatever good things I do not have, I may request humbly from those who do .

Grant that I may judge rightly the evil of the wrongs I have done and bear calmly the punishments I have brought upon myself, and that I may never envy my neighbor’s possessions and ever give thanks for Your good things .

Grant that I may always observe modesty in the way I dress, the way I walk, and the gestures I use, restrain my tongue from frivolous talk, prevent my feet from leading me astray, keep my eyes from wandering glances, shelter my ears from rumors, lower my gaze in humility, lift my mind to thoughts of heaven, contemn all that will pass away, and love You only .

Grant that I may subdue my flesh and cleanse my conscience, honor the saints and praise You worthily, advance in goodness, and end a life of good works with a holy death .

Plant deep in me, Lord, all virtues, that I might be devout in divine matters, discerning in human affairs, and burdensome to no one in fulfilling my own bodily needs .

Grant to me, Lord, fervent contrition, pure confession, and complete reparation . Order me inwardly through a good life, that I might do what is right and what will be meritorious for me and a good example of others .

Grant that I may never crave to do things impulsively, nor disdain to do what is burdensome, lest I begin things before I should or abandon them before finishing . Amen .

SALUTATION TO THE CROSS

The Cross is my sure salvation . The Cross I ever adore . The Cross of my Lord is with me . The Cross is my refuge .

PRAYER FOR PURITY

Dearest Jesus! I know well that every perfect gift, and above all others that of chastity, depends upon the most powerful assistance of Your Providence, and that without You a creature can do nothing . Therefore, I pray You to defend, with Your grace, chastity and purity in my soul

as well as in my body . And if I have ever received through my senses any impression that could stain my chastity and purity, may You, Who are the Supreme Lord of all my powers, take it from me, that I may with an immaculate heart advance in Your love and service, offering myself chaste all the days of my life on the most pure altar of Your Divinity . Amen .

A PRAYER TO MARY

Virgin full of goodness, Mother of mercy,

I entrust to you my body and my soul, my thoughts and my actions, my life and my death .

My Queen, come to my aid and deliver me from the snares of the devil .

Obtain for me the grace of loving my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, with a true and perfect love, and after him, O Mary, of loving you with all my heart and above all things . Amen .

TO THE MOST BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

O most blessed and sweet Virgin Mary, Mother of God, filled with all tenderness Daughter of the most high King, Lady of the angels, Mother of all the faithful,

On this day and all the days of my life, I entrust to your merciful heart my body and my soul, all my acts, thoughts, choices, desires, words, deeds, my entire life and death,

So that, with your assistance, all may be ordered to the good according to the will of your beloved Son our Lord Jesus Christ.

Be to me, my most holy Lady, a comforter and an ally against the stratagems and traps of the ancient enemy and of all those who harbor ill intentions against me.

From your beloved Son. our Lord Jesus Christ, request for me the grace to resist firmly

the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and a constant resolve to sin no more and to persevere in your service and the service of your beloved Son.

My most holy Lady, I also beseech you to obtain for me true obedience and true humility of heart

So that I may recognize myself truly as a sinnerwretched and weakand powerless, without the grace and help of my Creator and without your holy prayers, to do any kind of good work or even to resist the unrelenting assaults of evil.

Procure for me also, O my most sweet Lady, perpetual purity of mind and body, so that with a pure heart and chaste body I may be strengthened to serve you and your beloved Son through the Dominican Order.

From Him, obtain for me a spirit of poverty willingly accepted with patience and tranquillity of mind, so that I will have the strength to sustain the labors of this Order and to work for my own salvation and that of my neighbors.

Obtain for me as well, O most sweet Lady, true charity with which from the depths of my heart I may love your most holy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ and, after Him, love you above all other things, and love my neighbor in God and because of God.

Thereby may I rejoice in his goodness, sorrow over his evils, despise no one, never judge rashly, and never in my heart exalt myself over anyone.

Grant, O Queen of Heaven, that ever in my heart I may have fear and love alike for your most sweet Son;

That I may always give thanks for the many blessings bestowed upon me not for my merits but by His kindness; And that I may ever make a pure and sincere confession and do true penance for my sins, in order that I might deserve to obtain His mercy and grace.

I pray also that, at the end of my life, you, Mother without compare, Gate of Heaven, and Advocate of sinners, will not allow me, your unworthy servant, to stray from the holy Catholic faith

But that you will protect me with your great piety and mercy, defend me from evil spirits, and obtain for me, through the blessed and glorious Passion of your Son and through your own intercession, received in hope, the forgiveness of all of my sins.

When I die in your love and His love, may you direct me into the way of salvation and blessedness. Amen.

PRAYER TO MARY FOR ONE’S STUDIES

O Mary, Mother of fair love, of fear, of knowledge, and of holy hope, by whose loving care and intercession many otherwise poor in intellect have wonderfully advanced in knowledge and holiness, I choose you as the guide and patroness of my studies; and I humbly implore, through the deep tenderness of your maternal love, and especially through the eternal Wisdom who deigned to take our flesh from you and who gifted you beyond all the saints with heavenly light, that you would obtain for me, by your intercession, the grace of the Holy Spirit that I may be able to grasp with strong intellect, retain in memory, proclaim by word and deed, and teach others all things which bring honor to you and to your Son, and which for me and for others are salutary for eternal life . Amen .

OTHER DEVOTIONAL PRAYERS

THE ANGELUS

V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary: R . And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary . . .

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord: R . Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary . . .

V. And the Word was made Flesh: R . And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary . . .

V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, R . That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord . Amen .

REGINA CAELI

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This prayer takes the place of the Angelus during the Easter Season

V. Queen of heaven, rejoice, R . Alleluia!

V. For he whom you merited to bear, R . Alleluia!

V. Has risen, as he said, R . Alleluia!

V. Pray for us to God, R . Alleluia!

V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia . R . For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.

Let us pray: O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life . Through the same Christ our Lord . Amen .

PRAYER TO THE DIVINE MERCY (3 O’clock Prayer)

You died, Jesus,  but the source of life gushed forth for souls  and an ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world .

O Fount of Life,  unfathomable Divine Mercy,  cover the whole world  and empty Yourself out upon us .

O Blood and Water,  which flowed out from the Heart of Jesus  as a fount of mercy for us,  I trust in You .

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us and on the whole world (Repeat thrice)

Amen .

ACT OF FAITH

O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three divine Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit .

I believe that your divine Son became man and died for our sins and that he will come to judge the living and the dead . I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches because you have revealed them who are eternal truth and wisdom, who can neither deceive nor be deceived . In this faith I intend to live and die . Amen .

ACT OF HOPE

O Lord God, I hope by your grace for the pardon of all my sins and after life here to gain eternal happiness because you have promised it who are infinitely powerful, faithful, kind, and merciful . In this hope I intend to live and die . Amen .

ACT OF LOVE

O Lord God, I love you above all things and I love my neighbor for your sake because you are the highest, infinite and perfect good, worthy of all my love . In this love I intend to live and die . Amen .

ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

Composed by Saint Alphonsus Liguori, this prayer is used when one desires to be one with Jesus in the Eucharist but cannot physically receive Holy Communion

My Jesus,

I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament . I love You above all things,  and I desire to receive You into my soul . Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,  come at least spiritually into my heart . I embrace You as if You were already there  and unite myself wholly to You . Never permit me to be separated from You .

ACT OF CONTRITION (Traditional)

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, but most of all because I have offended Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love . I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin . Amen .

ACT OF CONTRITION (Alternative Form)

My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart . In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things . I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin . Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us . In his name, my God, have mercy .

MEMORARE

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided . Inspired with this confidence, I fly to you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to you do I come; before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful . O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me . Amen .

PRAYER TO SAINT MICHAEL

St . Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle . Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil . May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls . Amen .

PRAYER TO THE GUARDIAN ANGEL

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 .

O LUMEN

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Light of the Church, Teacher of truth

Rose of patience

Ivory of chastity, You freely offered the waters of wisdom .

Preacher of grace,

Unite us with the blessed .

V. Pray for us, O holy Father, St . Dominic .

R . That we might be made worthy of the promises of Christ. (T.P. Alleluia.)

V. Let us pray . Grant, we beseech you, Almighty God: that we who are weighed down by the burden of our sin; may be relieved through the patronage of blessed Dominic, your confessor and our Father: Through Christ our Lord .

R . Amen.

O Lumen Ecclesiae,

Doctor veritatis, Rosa patientiae,

Ebur castitatis, Aquam sapientiae

propinasti gratis: Predicator gratiae,  nos iunge beatis

V. Ora pro nobis, beate pater Dominice .

R . Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi. (Easter Time Alleluia.)

V. Oremus . Concede, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus; ut qui peccatorum nostrorum pondere premimur, beati Dominici, confessoris tui, patris nostri patrocinio sublevemur . Per Christum Dominum nostrum .

R . Amen.

O SPEM MIRAM

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V. O Wonderful hope which you gave to those who wept for you at the hour of your death, promising after your departure to be helpful to your brethren . R . Fulfill, O Father, what you have said, and help us by your prayers.

V. O you, who did shine illustrious by so many miracles, wrought in the bodies of the sick, bring us the help of Christ to heal our sick souls . R . Fulfill, O Father, what you have said, and help us by your prayers.

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit . R . Fulfill, O Father, what you have said, and help us by your prayers.

V. Pray for us, O holy Father, St . Dominic . R . That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

V. Let us pray . O God, who have enlightened Your Church by the eminent virtues and preaching of Saint Dominic, Your Confessor and our Father, mercifully grant that by his prayers we may be provided against all temporal necessities, and daily improve in all spiritual good . Thorough Jesus Christ, our Lord .

R . Amen.

V. O spem miram quam dedisti mortis hora te flentibus, dum post mortem promisisti te profuturum fratribus.

R . Imple Pater quod dixisti nos tuis juvans precibus.

V. Qui tot signis claruisti in aegrorum corporibus Nobis opem ferens Christi, aegris medere moribus.

R . Imple Pater quod dixisti nos tuis juvans precibus.

V. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto.

R . Imple Pater quod dixisti nos tuis juvans precibus.

V. Ora pro nobis, beate pater Dominice . R . Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi. (Easter Time Alleluia.)

V. Oremus . Deus, qui Ecclesiam tuam beati

Dominici Confessoris tui Patris nostri illuminari

dignatus es meritis et doctrinis: concede, ut ejus intercessione temporalibus non destituatur auxiliis et spiritualibus semper proficiat incrementis . Per Christum Dominum nostrum . R . Amen.

STUDENTS’ PRAYER TO SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS

O great student of knowledge and wisdom, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Whose great efforts attempted to synthesize the greatest works of faith and reason; But knew with the greatest humility that compared to the Divine itself such works were ‘like straw . ’

Pray that the Lord may grant us, the students of knowledge, a great love of Truth, limited only by a love of God . That we may have the faith to search for her in the storms of materialism and uncertainty, And that we may become the great protectors and preachers of Truth’s beauty when we hold her in our midst . For this we pray . Amen .

PRAYER TO SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS FOR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

Saint Thomas Aquinas, you are called by Holy Mother Church, the Angel of the Schools . Your wisdom, gathered through long meditation from the source of all wisdom, the most holy Trinity, has long been a shining light in the Catholic Church .

Ignorance of the things of God is a darkness now enveloping the minds of many of our countrymen . In this darkness, we need an angel like you who will protect, foster, and nourish the schools we have, and guide and strengthen us in establishing and building newer and more adequate schools for the instruction of our children in the ways of Christ .

Help and bless the generous sisters, brothers, and priests who labor so unselfishly in the classroom to spread the knowledge of Christ . Inspire our Catholic men and women to be most generous in the support of the schools we have .

Grant to parents the wise generosity they need to give their child back to God when that child wishes to follow a priestly or religious vocation . Help us, Saint Thomas, Angel of the Schools, to understand what you taught, and to follow your example . Amen .

PRAYER TO SAINT MARTIN DE PORRES

O Glorious Saint Martin de Porres, great Saint of the Dominican Order, look down in mercy upon a poor soul who cries out to thee, and deign to come to my aid in this great need, that I may receive the consolation and succor of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations and sufferings, but in particular… [Here mention your intention]

I thank thee, Saint Martin de Porres, for all the help that thou hast given me, both now and in the past, and I promise to be ever grateful to thee and to make thee known to all who are in need of thine assistance . Amen .

PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE THOMASIAN MARTYRS

Lord, God of all nations, by whose grace, we are nourished and nurtured through the example of your witnesses to the faith . We acknowledge your gift of heroic beatitude through our brothers, Antonio Gonzáles, Domingo Henares, Buenaventura García Paredes, and companion martyrs during religious persecutions in Japan, Vietnam and Spain .

Once, they hallowed the grounds of our beloved University of Santo Tomas by their virtuous presence as pastors, administrators and students . The blood they shed for the love of Christ challenges us to witness to our Catholic faith in this day and age when the Church is persecuted anew .

And so, now, we ask for a portion of their spirit, their steadfastness and sanctity, that we may emulate them and celebrate them, learn from them and live like them, in the preaching of Your Word, in the blessing of Your people, in praise of Your Name, in Jesus . Amen .

V. Blessed Buenaventura García Paredes and companion Thomasian martyrs . R . Pray for us.

THE THOMASIAN MARTYRS

Scan the QR Code beside the picture of each martyr to read his brief biography

5 Martyrs of Japan

St. Antonio Gonzáles (Professor of Theology, Acting Rector)

St. Domingo Ibañez de Erquicia (Professor of Theology)

St. Lucas del Espίritu Santo (Lecturer of Arts)

St. Guillaume Courtet (Professor of Theology)

St. Tomás Hioji de San Jacinto (Student of Philosophy)

5 Martyrs of Vietnam

St. Vicente Liem de la Paz (Student)

St.

Domingo Henares (Student, later Professor of Humanities)

St. José María Dίaz Sanjurjo (Student, Professor of Theology)

St. Pedro

(Student)

Almato

St. Gerónimo Hermosilla (Student)

7 Martyrs of Spain

Bl. Buenaventura Garcίa Paredes

(Student, Professor of Law and later Master of the Order)

Bl. Jesús Villaverde Andrés (Secretary-General, Treasurer, Dean of Theology)

Bl. Pedro Ibáñez Alonso (Student)

Bl. José María López Carillo (Student)

Bl. Manuel Moreno Martínez (Student)

Bl. Maximino Fernández Mariñas (Student)

Bl. José María de Manila, O.F.M. Cap (Student)

PRAYER FOR THE POPE

V. Let us pray for our Sovereign Pontiff, N . R . The Lord preserve him and give him life, and make him blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not to the will of his enemies. (Enchiridion Indulgentiarum, 25)

O God, who in your providential design willed that your Church be built upon blessed Peter, whom you set over the other Apostles, look with favor, we pray, on N ., our Pope and grant that he, whom you have made Peter’s successor, may be for your people a visible source and foundation of unity in faith and of communion . 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 .

PRAYER BEFORE TAKING AN EXAM

Lord, today I will have my examinations . You know how important they are to me . So I am humbly asking Your gracious help and divine assistance .

I pray to You, my dear Jesus, never let me panic or get nervous, but let me be at ease and give my very best . Never let me guess or rely on pure luck, but enlighten my mind and let me think clearly . Never let me resort to chance or to dishonesty, but let me work to the fullest extent of my ability .

I pray for your guidance that as I think, I may understand the questions correctly, analyze the problems precisely, apply the methods accurately, and formulate the answers exactly .

Guide me by your Holy Spirit that I may neither be careless nor overconfident, that I may neither be agitated nor distracted, that I may neither be in a hurry nor take the exams too lightly .

Today, O Jesus, I will take my examinations, Let me give my best effort with your help And by your grace, may I receive the best and most fruitful result . Amen .

PRAYER FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED

In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters (or, our brother/sister, N .) . In this life you embraced them (him/her) with your tender love; deliver them (him/her) now from every evil and bid them (him/her) eternal rest .

The old order has passed away: welcome them (him/her) into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever .

V. Eternal rest grant unto them (him/her), O Lord R . And let perpetual light shine upon them (him/her).   V. May their (his/her) soul/s and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace . R . Amen.

PRAYERS BEFORE AND AFTER MEETINGS

I. BEFORE MEETINGS

PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

V. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful R . And kindle in them the fire of your love.

V. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created R . And you will renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray .

Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit you have taught the hearts of your faithful . In the same Spirit help us to relish what is right and always rejoice in your consolation . We ask this through Christ our Lord .

R . Amen.

ACTIONES NOSTRAS

Direct, we beseech you, O Lord, our actions by your holy inspirations, and carry them on by your gracious assistance, that every prayer and work of ours may begin always with you, and through you come to completion . Through Christ our Lord . Amen .

PRAYER BEFORE A MEETING

Light of truth and kindness, our Lord and our God, we cannot proceed with this meeting without directing to you our call and praise .

Out of the abundance of your goodness, bless us with your soothing presence manifested in a mind enlightened by your truth in a heart inflamed by your love and in a political will to do simply what is pleasing to you .

Father of comfort and solace, give us the opportunity to gain from this meeting an increased unity of purpose and will the best intentions for projects and programs in the midst of diverging and converging approaches and of friendship among co-equals .

All of these we ask on behalf of the University of Santo Tomas . Amen .

Mary, Seat of Wisdom, pray for us. St . Dominic, pray for us.

II. AFTER MEETINGS

PRAYER AFTER A MEETING

Accept, Oh Heavenly Father, the gratitude and praise of all here present who have patiently shared their concerns in this meeting .

Now all the plans, projects and programs we have discussed here with best intentions are entrusted to your care and blessing .

Continue to sustain us with your soothing presence so that our plans may come to fruition and may benefit the greater good .

All for the glory of your Name and for the University of Santo Tomas . Amen . St . Thomas Aquinas, intercede for us .

13th CENTURY DOMINICAN BLESSING

May God the Father bless us . May God the Son heal us . May God the Holy Spirit enlighten us, and give us eyes to see with, ears to hear with, hands to do the work of God with, feet to walk with, a mouth to preach the word of salvation with, and the angel of peace to watch over us and lead us at last, by our Lord’s gift, to the Kingdom . Amen .

Psalm 22

SOME SELECTED PSALMS

A Plea for Deliverance

O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying to me, “There is no help for you in God . ”

But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head . I cry aloud to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy hill .

I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the Lord sustains me . I am not afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around .

Rise up, O Lord!

Deliver me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked .

Deliverance belongs to the Lord; may your blessing be on your people!

The Lord is My Shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want . He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul . He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake .

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me .

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows . Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long .

Psalm 51

A Plea for God’s forgiveness

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions . Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin .

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me . Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment .

Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me . You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart . Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow . Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice .

Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities .

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me . Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me . Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit .

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you . Deliver me from bloodshed, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance .

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise .

For you have no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased . The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise .

Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, then you will delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar .

Psalm 63

Longing for God

O God, you are my God, I seek you,     my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you,

as in a dry and weary land where there is no water .

So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,     beholding your power and glory . Because your steadfast love is better than life,

my lips will praise you .

So I will bless you as long as I live;

I will lift up my hands and call on your name .

My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast,     and my mouth praises you with joyful lips when I think of you on my bed,

and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help,     and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy . My soul clings to you;

your right hand upholds me .

Prayer for Protection

You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust . ”

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler .

You will not fear the terror of the night, or the arrow that flies by day, or the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or the destruction that wastes at noonday .

A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you . You will only look with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked .

Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent .

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways . On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone . You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot .

Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name . When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them . With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation .

Out of the depths

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord . Lord, hear my voice!

Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?

But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered .

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning .

O Israel, hope in the Lord!

For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem . It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities .

Psalm 139

You are always with me

O Lord, you have searched me and known me . You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away .

You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways . Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely .

You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me . Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it .

Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there . If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast .

If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you .

For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb . I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made . Wonderful are your works; that I know very well . My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth . Your eyes beheld my unformed substance . In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed . How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

I try to count them—they are more than the sand; I come to the end—I am still with you .

PRAYERS FROM POPE FRANCIS

I. Laudato Si’

Encyclical on Care for our Common Home (24 May 2015)

A prayer for our earth

All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures . You embrace with your tenderness all that exists . Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty . Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one .

O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes . Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction . Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth .

Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light . We thank you for being with us each day . Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace .

A Christian prayer in union with creation Father, we praise you with all your creatures . They came forth from your all-powerful hand; they are yours, filled with your presence and your tender love . Praise be to you!

Son of God, Jesus, through you all things were made . You were formed in the womb of Mary our Mother, you became part of this earth, and you gazed upon this world with human eyes . Today you are alive in every creature in your risen glory . Praise be to you!

Holy Spirit, by your light you guide this world towards the Father’s love and accompany creation as it groans in travail . You also dwell in our hearts and you inspire us to do what is good . Praise be to you!

Triune Lord, wondrous community of infinite love, teach us to contemplate you in the beauty of the universe, for all things speak of you . Awaken our praise and thankfulness for every being that you have made .

Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined to everything that is . God of love, show us our place in this world as channels of your love for all the creatures of this earth, for not one of them is forgotten in your sight .

Enlighten those who possess power and money that they may avoid the sin of indifference, that they may love the common good, advance the weak, and care for this world in which we live .

The poor and the earth are crying out . O Lord, seize us with your power and light, help us to protect all life, to prepare for a better future, for the coming of your Kingdom of justice, peace, love and beauty . Praise be to you!

Amen . II. Fratelli Tutti

Encyclical on Fraternity and Social Friendship (3 October 2020)

A Prayer to the Creator

Lord, Father of our human family, you created all human beings equal in dignity: pour forth into our hearts a fraternal spirit and inspire in us a dream of renewed encounter, dialogue, justice and peace . Move us to create healthier societies and a more dignified world, a world without hunger, poverty, violence and war .

May our hearts be open to all the peoples and nations of the earth . May we recognize the goodness and beauty that you have sown in each of us, and thus forge bonds of unity, common projects, and shared dreams . Amen .

An Ecumenical Christian Prayer

O God, Trinity of love, from the profound communion of your divine life, pour out upon us a torrent of fraternal love . Grant us the love reflected in the actions of Jesus, in his family of Nazareth, and in the early Christian community .

Grant that we Christians may live the Gospel, discovering Christ in each human being, recognizing him crucified in the sufferings of the abandoned and forgotten of our world, and risen in each brother or sister who makes a new start .

Come, Holy Spirit, show us your beauty, reflected in all the peoples of the earth, so that we may discover anew

that all are important and all are necessary, different faces of the one humanity that God so loves . Amen .

III. Amoris Laetitia

Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on Love in the Family (19 March 2016)

Prayer to the Holy Family

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, in you we contemplate the splendor of true love; to you we turn with trust .

Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that our families too may be places of communion and prayer, authentic schools of the Gospel and small domestic churches .

Holy Family of Nazareth, may families never again experience violence, rejection and division; may all who have been hurt or scandalized find ready comfort and healing .

Holy Family of Nazareth, make us once more mindful of the sacredness and inviolability of the family, and its beauty in God’s plan .

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Graciously hear our prayer . Amen .

IV. Evangelii Gaudium

Apostolic Exhortation on the Proclamation of the Gospel in Today’s World (24 November 2013)

A

Prayer

to the Virgin Mary

Mary, Virgin and Mother, you who, moved by the Holy Spirit, welcomed the word of life in the depths of your humble faith: as you gave yourself completely to the Eternal One, help us to say our own “yes” to the urgent call, as pressing as ever, to proclaim the good news of Jesus .

Filled with Christ’s presence, you brought joy to John the Baptist, making him exult in the womb of his mother . Brimming over with joy, you sang of the great things done by God . Standing at the foot of the cross with unyielding faith, you received the joyful comfort of the resurrection, and joined the disciples in awaiting the Spirit so that the evangelizing Church might be born .

Obtain for us now a new ardor born of the resurrection, that we may bring to all the Gospel of life which triumphs over death . Give us a holy courage to seek new paths, that the gift of unfading beauty may reach every man and woman .

Virgin of listening and contemplation, Mother of love, Bride of the eternal wedding feast, pray for the Church, whose pure icon you are, that she may never be closed in on herself or lose her passion for establishing God’s kingdom .

Star of the new evangelization, help us to bear radiant witness to communion, service, ardent and generous faith, justice and love of the poor, that the joy of the Gospel may reach to the ends of the earth, illuminating even the fringes of our world .

Mother of the living Gospel, wellspring of happiness for God’s little ones, pray for us . Amen . Alleluia!

V. Patris Corde

Apostolic Letter on the 150th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church (8 December 2021)

A Prayer to Saint Joseph

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary . To you God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man .

Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life . Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage, and defend us from every evil . Amen .

VI. Adsumus Sancte Spiritus

[We stand before You, Holy Spirit]

Prayer for the Synod on Synodality

We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name. With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts; Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it. We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder. Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions. Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right. All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.

VII. Prayer for the Jubilee of Hope 2025

Father in heaven, may the faith you have given us in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother, and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom. May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel. May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth, when, with the powers of Evil vanquished, your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven. May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth. To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever. Amen.

GET TO KNOW YOUR PATRON SAINT

Scan the QR Code beside the picture of your Unit’s Patron to access a short biography and prayer

St. Thomas Aquinas, OP

Priest and Doctor of the Church

Patron of the University of Santo Tomas

Patron of the Faculty of Sacred Theology

St. Catherine of Alexandria

Virgin and Martyr

Patron of the Faculty of Philosophy

St. Raymond of Peñafort, OP

Priest, Former Master of the Order

Patron of the Faculty of Canon Law

Patron of the Faculty of Civil Law

Sts. Cosmas and Damian

Physicians and Martyrs

Patrons of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Patroness of the Faculty of Pharmacy

Bl. Jordan of Saxony, OP

Priest and Former Master of the Order

Patron of the Faculty of Engineering

St. Joseph Calasanz Priest

Patron of the College of Education

Patron of the Education High School

St. Albert the Great, OP

Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Patron of the College of Science

Bl. Mannes de Guzmán, OP

Priest

Patron of the Junior High School

St. Thomas Apostle

Patron of the College of Architecture

St. Matthew

Apostle and Evangelist

Patron of the College of Commerce and Business Administration

St. Antoninus of Florence, OP Bishop

Patron of the Graduate School

St. Cecilia

Virgin and Martyr

Patroness of the Conservatory of Music

St. Elizabeth of Hungary

Religious

Patroness of the College of Nursing

St. Martin de Porres, OP

Religious

Patron of the College of Rehabilitation Sciences

St. John Paul II

Pope

Patron of the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics

Beato Angelico

(Bl. John of Fiesole, OP)

Priest and Painter

Patron of the College of Fine Arts and Design

St. Joseph

Foster Father of Jesus and Husband of Mary

Patron of the College of Accountancy

St. Hyacinth of Poland, OP

Priest

Patron of the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management

St. Vincent Ferrer, OP Priest

Patron of the College of Information and Computing Sciences

Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati, OP

Lay Dominican

Patron of the Senior High School

Bl. Buenaventura Paredes, OP

Priest and Former Master of the Order

Patron of the Graduate School of Law

SACRED SPACES IN UST

1. Santísimo Rosario Parish Church

2. Central Seminary Chapel

3. Engineering Chapel (Ruaño Building)

4. Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Chapel (Frassati Building)

5. Education Chapel (Albertus Magnus Building)

6. Rosarium Prayer Garden

7. Hospital Chapel (Clinical Division)

8. Hospital Chapel (Private Division)

9. Saint Dominic’s Chapel and Adoration Room (Tan Yan Kee Building)

10. Blessed Mannes de Guzman Chapel (Benavides Building)

UST Campus Map by Ronald Gavin P. Castillo of the UST College of Architecture for the Facilities Management Office

CATECHETICAL NOTES

10 COMMANDMENTS

(See Ex 20: 1-17/ Dt 5: 6-21)

1 . I am the LORD your God: you shall not have other gods before me .

2 . You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain .

3 . Remember to keep holy the LORD’S Day .

4 . Honor your father and your mother .

5 . You shall not kill .

6 . You shall not commit adultery .

7 . You shall not steal .

8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

9 . You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife .

10 . You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods .

8 BEATITUDES

(Matt 5: 3-10)

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

2 . Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the land .

3 . Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted .

4 . Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall shall be satisfied .

5 . Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy .

6 . Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God .

7 . Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God .

8 . Blessed are they that suffer persecution for the sake of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven .

BOOKS OF THE BIBLE (Catholic Canon)

46 Books of the Old Testament

Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

Historical books: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Tobit, Judith, Esther, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees

Wisdom books: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach

Prophetic books: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Baruch, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

27 Books of the New Testament

The Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

Acts of the Apostles

Epistles: Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude

Revelation

WORKS OF MERCY

SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY

5 PRECEPTS OF THE CHURCH

The Precepts of the Church describe the minimum effort we must make in prayer and in living a moral life . All Catholics are called to move beyond the minimum by growing in love of God and love of neighbor .

1 . Attendance at Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation

2 . Confession at least once a year

3 . Reception of Holy Communion at least once a year during the Easter season

4 . Observance of the days of fast and abstinence

5 . Providing for the needs of the Church

PREPARATION FOR CONFESSION

An Examination of Conscience based on the Ten Commandments

I am the Lord your God: you shall not have strange Gods before me. Have I considered some persons, events, or things as more important than God? Do I take steps to grow closer to God and to be more charitable to my neighbors? Am I truly sorry when I ask forgiveness from God?

1. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. Do I use God’s name and the names of Jesus, Mary and the saints with love and reverence? Do I prayerfully reach out to God when I feel lonely and abandoned. Do I avoid expressing bad words when I am frustrated and humiliated. Do I seek to understand and defend the truth of my faith?

2. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day. Do I go to Mass every Sunday (or Saturday Vigil Mass) and on Holy Days of Obligation? Do I avoid, when possible, work that hinders my worship and proper rest of mind and body on the Lord’s Day?

3. Honor your father and your mother. Do I show my parents due respect and loving care? Do I remember to pray for my parents and seek to maintain good communication with them? Do I respect the dignity

and sanctity of both marital love and childbearing in the fullness of family life?

4. You shall not kill. Do I fully honor the sanctity of life including that of the unborn? Do I sometimes lack faith and doubt that my life is a gift from God? Do I harm others through physical, verbal, or emotional means, including gossip or manipulation of any kind? Do I hold grudges and try to hurt other people who I think hurt me?

5. You shall not commit adultery. Do I fully respect the truth that marriage between a man and woman is a sacrament? Do I, as a married or unmarried person, honor the marital affection and fidelity that belong to the sanctity of marriage? Do I respect the physical and sexual dignity of others and of myself?

6. You shall not steal. Have I taken or damaged anything that did not not belong to me? Have I cheated or wasted time and resources that belonged to others?

7. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Do I gossip, tell lies, or spread stories that hurt other people? Do I carelessly advocate ideas, trends or ideologies that manipulate the truth about human dignity and compromise the values of the Gospel.

8. You shall not covet your neighbor’s spouse. Do I fail to avoid conversations, books, social media, fantasies and entertainment that disrespect the human body, the sanctity of marriage, and God’s gift of sexuality?

9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods. Do I allow envy to weaken my faith in God and my sense of gratitude for all His blessings. Do I compare myself to others unnecessarily and find delight in the misfortune of those better than me?

LITANY OF FORGIVENESS

For the times I lacked compassion and concern for others –forgive me, Lord. For my failures to pray and take the time to talk to you –forgive me, Lord. For not sharing my resources: my time, talent, and treasure –forgive me, Lord. For holding grudges and refusing to have a forgiving heart –forgive me, Lord. For the times I have criticized and gossiped –forgive me, Lord. For not caring for myself physically, emotionally, and spiritually –forgive me, Lord. For the ways I misused nature and damaged the environment –forgive me, Lord. For my prejudices, biases, and deliberate acts of discrimination –forgive me, Lord.

For the misuse and abuse of the wonderful gift of sexuality –forgive me, Lord. For failing to see your face in the homeless and the helpless –forgive me, Lord. For believing I could save myself –forgive me, Lord. For not living fully for you –forgive me, Lord. For my lack of faith, hope, and love –forgive me, Lord. For doubting that you can and will forgive me unconditionally –forgive me, Lord. For doubting that you love me with an everlasting love –forgive me, Lord. Amen.

FORMULA FOR AN EMERGENCY

BAPTISM

When an unbaptized child is in danger of death, any person, with the intention of doing what the Church does, baptizes the child, saying:

N ., I baptize you in the name of the Father, S/he pours water upon the child . and of the Son, S/he pours water upon the child a second time . and of the Holy Spirit. S/he pours water upon the child a third time .

PRAYER FOR THE DOUBLE JUBILEE OF SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS

Dearest God, Our Loving Lord, True Source of light and wisdom, You have blessed the People of God through the Order of Preachers with the holiness and teaching of Saint Thomas Aquinas whose brilliant doctrine shines like the sun, whose exemplary life illumines the world.

On this double jubilee of his dies natalis and of his canonization, we ask for a double portion of his spirit that all Thomasiansstudents and teachers, employees and administrators, alumni and their loved ones, as well as true devotees, may become faithful and fruitful in our mission of preaching the Gospel, in seeking, serving and sharing the Truth, in extending and expanding the embrace of Your unending grace. with St. Thomas’ help, through Mary’s plea In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Pontifical and Royal UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS

The Catholic University of the Philippines