The Catholic Mom’s Desk Calendar one-minute prayers for every day
Lisa M. Hendey
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Copyright © 2017 Lisa M. Hendey All rights reserved. Published by The Word Among Us Press 7115 Guilford Road, Suite 100 Frederick, Maryland 21704 wau.org ISBN: 978-1-59325-320-2 Cover design: Faceout Studios Text design: Suzanne Earl Printed and bound in China Scripture quotations are from the Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture quotations marked “RSV-2CE” are from Revised Standard Version of the Bible—Second Catholic Edition (Ignatius Edition), copyright © 2006 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Excerpts from the English translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church for use in the United States of America, copyright © 1994, United States Catholic Conference, Inc.—Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means— electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, with the prior permission of the author and publisher.
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Introduction A calendar is an intensely personal tool. Far more than most other pieces of paper in our possession, our calendars provide us with structure, motivation, order, and yes, at times, a measure of frustration. We moms seem to have so much to do and so little time. And yet to effectively serve our families and our God, we plan our days, often offering simple tasks and professional duties as our own form of prayer. Whether this little calendar you now hold will live in your minivan, alongside your favorite reading chair, or even next to your toothbrush, I thank you for bringing this tool into your life. The collection of thoughts and prayers you see here has been specially crafted to encourage you in your motherly vocation. I want you to know that as I collected the Scripture passages, papal teachings, catechetical lessons, and wisdom from the saints, I prayed for you. As I penned
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my own short personal prayers that you find here, I lifted you up. I asked God to be with you and your family. We may not know each other personally, but we are sisters in Christ. I want you to know how much what you do every day matters, and how important you are, not only your loved ones, but also to our Church and our world. St. Francis de Sales once said, “Half an hour’s meditation each day is essential, except when you are busy. Then a full hour is needed.” To serve our families and our communities effectively, we moms need to nourish our souls with daily prayer. Whether you use this calendar in the morning or at night or sometime in between, I hope you will find it a springboard for a time of spiritual refreshment, however brief it might be. You will be in my heart daily. May God richly bless your days! Lisa M. Hendey Founder of CatholicMom.com
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January 1 Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Mother of God
And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” —Luke 1:38 Loving Father, as I embark on a new year of joy and discovery, help me to follow your will as Mary did. May my days be filled with hope through your care and compassion.
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January 2 ď ˜ Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen
Be not discouraged, but have recourse to Mary in all your necessities. Call her to your assistance, for such is the divine will that she should help in every kind of necessity. —St. Basil the Great Saint Basil, pray for me, that I might turn to mother Mary as you did, remembering her love and example as a caring mother.
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January 3 Most Holy Name of Jesus
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. —Philippians 2:9-10 Lord Jesus, help me today to know that you are always near to my family. I bless your name today and always!
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January 4 Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
In the course of the day, while you work or pray, sometimes think: “Oh, how happy I am! Jesus, my dear Jesus, is coming to me. Oh, dearest Lord, prepare me for yourself!” —St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Saint Elizabeth Ann, you were a wife and mom, just like me. Help me to happily love Jesus, my family, and our world as you did.
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January 5 Saint John Neumann
As Christ has his work, we too have ours; as he rejoiced to do his work, we must rejoice in ours also. —St. John Neumann Jesus, you taught your followers about the importance of work. As I craft today’s to-do list, help me to seek out opportunities to rejoice in my work and to offer even simple domestic tasks as my prayer.
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January 6 Saint André Bessette
It is with the smallest brushes that the artist paints the best paintings. —Saint André Bessette Brother André, as doorkeeper for your congregation, your work was humble but life changing as you welcomed those in need of compassion. Help me to recognize that I can paint great beauty with the small brush of my everyday services as a mom.
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January 7 ď ˜ Saint Raymond of Penyafort
Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. —Romans 14:19 Lord, I give my thoughts and work to you this day, trusting that you will help me to be a peacemaker in every situation. In my home, give me wisdom as I teach my children to seek peace and to build one another up in love.
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January 8 God’s Merciful Gaze The greater our need, the more his gaze upon us is filled with mercy. He feels compassion and pity towards us because he knows our weaknesses. He knows our sins and he forgives us. He always forgives us! He is so good; our Father is so good. —Pope Francis, Jubilee Audience, September 10, 2016 Father, you know my weaknesses and my sins, but you also know that my heart is set on you and on doing your will. Guide me today to receive your mercy so that I might, in turn, bring your mercy to my family.
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January 9 New Life
And behold, a voice from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” —Matthew 3:17 At my baptism, I became your beloved child, God. In bringing my children for baptism, I promised to train them in the faith and to know and love you. Today, Father, we celebrate and renew our commitment to journey ever closer to your love.
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January 10 Comforted and Consoled
As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. —Isaiah 66:13 God of consolation, you draw me ever closer to your saving comfort. Help me today to find a few quiet moments to sit in your loving presence, assured of your unending compassion for me.
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January 11 The Warmth of His Presence
Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his presence continually! —Psalm 105:4 Today, my Lord, I will seek you in all the places you wait for me: in the faces of my loved ones, in the hearts of those I meet, and in the tiny miracles that are sprinkled though my life. You are my strength. Your presence fills me with hope and joy!
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January 12 His Way Is True We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. —Romans 8:28 Master and Creator, sometimes it feels like nothing goes as I’ve planned it. Help me to offer you this day exactly as it unfolds, according to your perfect will. May I recognize detours as opportunities to more perfectly love and follow your purpose for my life.
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January 13 Saint Hilary
To imitate our Lord’s own humility, we must return to the simplicity of God’s little ones. —St. Hilary Heavenly Father, I long to love you with the innocence and simplicity of a child. I will listen today for the sound of your voice, calling me to play, to pray, and to rest in the light of your love. I am yours!
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January 14 A Command and a Promise Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you; that your days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with you. —Deuteronomy 5:16 Father, our parents have blessed us in giving us life. Bless them in turn so that they know your love for them. I thank you for the gift of my parents and for all those who have taught me to know and to love you.
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January 15 Unconditional Love
"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." —John 15:12 Today, loving God, help me to stop for a moment to consider how much you love me, imperfections and all! May I always echo that love for my family, sharing with them the grace I encounter in being fully and unquestionably loved by you.
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January 16 Hope for the World
The welfare of the family is decisive for the future of the world and that of the Church. —Pope Francis, Amoris Laetitia, 31 Lord, thank you for helping the love within our family to grow and to become a sign of hope for our world. Help us this day to reach out and share your love with those we meet.
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January 17 Saint Anthony of Egypt
Know this, my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. —James 1:19 Saint Anthony, you longed to live a quiet life and to know God more fully. Help me today to speak less and to listen more—to the sound of God’s voice, but also to the needs, hopes, and dreams of my family.
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January 18 Taste and See!
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! —Psalm 119:103 Author of my life, your words sustain and strengthen me! Help me to find a few quiet moments today to be with you in Scripture and to understand what you are saying to me. May I more fully live your gospel of love.
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January 19 Think about These Things Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. —Philippians 4:8 Source of all that is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and excellent, I thank you for my life and our family. May this day be my song of praise!
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January 20 ď ˜ Saint Fabian; Saint Sebastian
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong. —2 Corinthians 12:10 Lord, I try to be content with weakness, insults, and other trials when they come my way, but sometimes I waver. Be with me, that I may have the courage and strength to truly live my faith today and always.
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January 21 Saint Agnes
Christ made my soul beautiful with the jewels of grace and virtue. I belong to him whom the angels serve. —St. Agnes Lord God, I am your unique and precious masterpiece. I am beautiful in your sight. Help me to grow in virtue and grace, to accept your love for me, and to share that love with others.
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January 22 God’s Healing Love
For you formed my inward parts, you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am wondrously made. Wonderful are your works!
—Psalm 139:13-14 (RSV-2CE)
Heavenly Father, I marvel at your capacity to love each of us so profoundly. Today I pray with all my heart for the sanctity of every human life.
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January 23 Saint Vincent; Saint Marianne Cope
May God give you health and strength so that you will be able to lead the little ones to him and teach them to love God more than anything in this world. —St. Marianne Cope Saint Marianne, you gave your life to serve those with Hansen’s disease. Help me today to attend to my own well-being so that I may lovingly care for my family.
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January 24 ď ˜ Saint Francis de Sales
It is love that gives value to all our works; it is not by the greatness or multiplicity of our works that we please God, but by the love with which we do them. —St. Francis de Sales Jesus, lead me this day to serve others in a spirit of gentleness. Let my attitude, touch, and words be filled with compassion as I try to bring healing and hope to others.
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January 25 Conversion of Saint Paul
And I answered, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said to me, “I am Jesus of Nazareth whom you are persecuting.” —Acts 22:8 Saint Paul, be my companion as I strive to boldly live my faith in my home and in our world. May my life be a continual path of conversion, drawing me ever closer to Jesus.
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January 26 Saints Timothy and Titus
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. —2 Timothy 4:7 Lord God, some of my days as a mom feel like a sprint, others like a marathon. Between my work, cleaning, cooking, teaching, and just generally loving, my spiritual tank can run dry. I pray today for the grace and strength to finish this race strong.
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January 27 Saint Angela Merici Mothers of children, even if they have a thousand, carry each and every one fixed in their hearts, and because of the strength of their love they do not forget any of them. In fact, it seems that the more children they have the more their love and care for each one is increased. —St. Angela Merici Father, my love for my children is a reflection of your own enduring and personal love for them. Today I will let your love guide me as I strive to be sensitive to their needs. Help my love for my children to increase and bear fruit.
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January 28 Saint Thomas Aquinas
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. —St. Thomas Aquinas Lord, you created me to joyfully know you. This day I give you my heart. I will never stop seeking ways to love you.
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January 29 Love Upon Love
A woman’s dignity is closely connected with the love which she receives by the very reason of her femininity; it is likewise connected with the love which she gives in return. —Pope St. John Paul II, Mulieris Dignitatem, 30 Sacred Heart of Jesus, embolden me today to shower your love upon my family in simple ways. By loving and serving them, I am drawn ever closer to you.
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January 30 Lifelong Learning
The home is the first school of Christian life and “a school for human enrichment.” Here one learns endurance and the joy of work, fraternal love, generous—even repeated— forgiveness, and above all divine worship in prayer and the offering of one’s life. —Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1657 Lord God, Master Teacher, what life lessons are you calling me to offer in our home today?
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January 31 Saint John Bosco
Do you want our Lord to give you many graces? Visit him often. Do you want him to give you few graces? Visit him seldom. Visits to the Blessed Sacrament are powerful and indispensable means of overcoming the attacks of the devil. —St. John Bosco Jesus, I offer you these quiet moments. Thank you for your powerful and loving presence in my life.
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