(adapted by the Reverend Nicholas L. Gregoris, S.T.D., from ancient, modern and contemporary sources)
To the Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of thy love. – Send forth thy Spirit and they shall be created. – And thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, didst instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Before Any Activity Let us pray:
Direct, we beseech thee, O Lord, all our thoughts, words and actions by thy holy inspiration, and carry them on by thy gracious assistance, so that every prayer and work of ours may always begin from thee, and by thee be happily ended. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Before Holy Mass
Almighty and ever-living God, I approach the Sacrament of thy Only-Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I come sick to the doctor of life, unclean to the fountain of mercy, blind to the radiance of eternal light, and poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth. Lord, in thy great generosity, heal my sickness, wash away my defilement, enlighten my blindness, enrich my poverty, and clothe my nakedness. May I receive the Bread of angels, the King of kings and Lord of lords, with humble reverence, with the purity and faith, the repentance and love, and the determined purpose that will help bring me to salvation. May I receive the Sacrament of the Lord’s Body and Blood, and its reality and power. O Benevolent God, may I receive the Body of thy Only-Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, born from the womb of the Virgin Mary, and so be received into His mystical body and numbered among His members. Loving Father, as on my earthly pilgrimage I now receive thy beloved Son under the veil of a sacrament, may I one day see Him face to face in glory, Who lives and reigns with thee for ever. Amen. – St. Thomas Aquinas, 1225-1274 (Memorial: January 28)
After Holy Mass
Dear Jesus, help us to spread your fragrance everywhere we go. Flood our souls with your Spirit and life. Penetrate and possess our whole being so utterly, that our lives may be only a radiance of yours. Shine through us, and be so in us, that every soul we come into contact with may feel your presence in our soul. Let them look up and see no longer us but only Jesus! Stay with us, and then we shall begin to shine as You shine; so to shine as to be a light to others; the light, O Jesus, will be all from you; none of it will be ours; it will be you, shining on others, through us. Let us praise you in the way you love best by shining on those around us. Let us preach you without preaching, not by words but by our example, by the catching force, the sympathetic influence of what we do, the evident fullness of the love our hearts bear toward you. Amen. – Blessed John Henry Newman, 1801-1890 (Memorial: October 9)
Self-Dedication to Jesus Christ
Lord Jesus Christ, take all my liberty. Receive my memory, my understanding, and my entire will. Whatever I have or possess, you have given to me: I surrender it all to be guided by your will. Give me only your love and your grace, and I am wealthy enough, nor do I ask for anything more. – Ascribed to St. Ignatius of Loyola, 1491-1556 (Memorial: July 31)
Before Holy Communion
O Lord, I believe and profess that you are the Christ, the Son of the Living God, who came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the first. Accept me as a partaker of your mystical supper, O Son of God; for I will not reveal your mystery to your enemies, nor will I give you a kiss as did Judas, but like the thief I confess to you: Remember me, O Lord, when you shall come into your kingdom. Remember me, O Master, when you shall come into your kingdom. Remember me, O Holy One, when you shall come into your kingdom. May the partaking of your Holy Mysteries, O Lord, be not for my judgment or condemnation, but for the healing of soul and body. O Lord, I also believe and profess that this, which I am about to receive, is truly your most precious Body and your life-giving Blood, which, I pray, make me worthy to receive for the remission of all my sins and for life everlasting. Amen. –
Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom After Holy Communion
May your Body, O Lord, which I have received, and your Blood which I have drunk, cleave to my inmost being: grant that no stain of sin may remain in me, whom pure and holy mysteries have refreshed: Who lives and reigns, world without end. Amen.
– Tridentine Missal/Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite On the Passion of the Lord I beseech thee, most sweet Lord Jesus Christ, grant that thy Passion may be a power by which I may be strengthened, protected, and defended: may thy wounds be my food and drink, by which I may be nourished, inebriated, and overjoyed. May the sprinkling of thy Blood be for me the ablution of all my sins; may thy death be for me life everlasting. In these be my refreshment, my exultation, my wholeness, and the sweetness of my heart. Who lives and reigns, world without end. Amen.
–Known as the “Obsecro Te,” from the first two words of the original Latin text. The feast of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus is July 1 in the calendar for the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.
For Five Graces
Eternal Father, your Son has promised that you would grant all the graces we ask of you in His Name. Trusting in this promise, and in the Name and through the merits of Jesus Christ, I ask of you five graces: First, I ask pardon for all offenses I have committed, for which I am sorry with all my heart, because I have offended your infinite goodness. Second, I ask for your divine Light, which will enable me to see the vanity of all the things of this world, and see also your infinite greatness and goodness. Third, I ask for a share in your love, so that I can detach myself from all creatures, especially from myself, and love only your holy will. Fourth, grant me the grace to have confidence in the merits of Jesus Christ and in the intercession of Mary. Fifth, I ask for the grace of perseverance, knowing that whenever I call on you for assistance, you will answer my call and come to my aid; I fear only that I will neglect to turn to you in time of need, and thus bring myself to ruin. Grant me the grace to pray always, O Eternal Father, in the name of Jesus. Amen. – St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, 1696-1787 (Memorial: August 1)
For the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Lord Jesus, as God’s Spirit came down and rested upon You, may the same Spirit rest upon us, bestowing His sevenfold gifts. First, grant us the gift of understanding, by which your precepts may enlighten our minds. Second, grant us counsel, by which we may follow in your footsteps on the path of righteousness. Third, grant us courage, by which we may ward off the Enemy’s attacks. Fourth, grant us knowledge, by which we can distinguish good from evil. Fifth, grant us piety, by which we may acquire compassionate hearts. Sixth, grant us fear, by which we may draw back from evil and submit to what is good. Seventh, grant us wisdom, that we may taste fully the life-giving sweetness of your love. – St. Bonaventure, 1217-1274 (Memorial: July 15)
For Knowledge of Sacred Scripture
Lord, inspire us to read your Scriptures and to meditate upon them day and night. We beg you to give us real understanding of what need, that we in turn may put its precepts into practice. Yet we know that under- standing and good intentions are worthless, unless they are rooted in your graceful love. So we ask that the words of Scripture may also be not just signs on a page, but channels of grace into our hearts. Amen. – Origen of Alexandria, circa 185-254
Before Study
Creator beyond all telling, you have appointed from the treasures of your wisdom the hierarchies of angels, disposing them in wondrous order above the bright heavens, and have so beautifully set in place all parts of the universe. We call you the true fount of wisdom and the noble origin of all things. Be pleased to shed on the darkness of mind in which I was born, the twofold beam of your light and warmth to dispel my ignorance and sin. You make eloquent the tongues of children. Then instruct my speech and touch my lips with graciousness. Make me keen to understand, quick to learn, able to remember; make me delicate to interpret and ready to speak. Guide my going in and going forward, and lead home my going forth. You are true God and true Man, and live for ever and ever. Amen. – St. Thomas Aquinas
Before the Sacrament of Confession
O Lord and Master, I am unworthy both of heaven and of earth, because I have surrendered myself to sin, and become the slave of worldly pleasures. Yet, since you created me, and since you can shape me as you want, I do not despair of salvation; but made bold by your compassionate love, I come before you. Receive me, dear Lord, as you received the woman caught in adultery, the good thief, the tax collector and even the prodigal son. You love all people, so pour out your love upon me. Lift from me the heavy burden of sin, cleanse from me every stain of unrighteousness, and wash me with the waters of holiness. Amen. – St. Basil of Caesarea, circa 330-379 (Memorial: January 2)
After the Sacrament of Confession
O Only-Begotten Son of the sovereign Father, look upon us with a benign countenance. It is you who called the penitent heart of the Magdalene to the pinnacle of glory. The lost penny is again restored to the royal treasury; and the gem wiped clean from mire surpasses the stars in brilliance. O Jesus, balm on our wounds and sole hope of the penitent, through the tears of the Magdalene wash away our sins. O most gracious Mother of God, take us, the weeping descendants of Eve, from a thousand waves in this life to a haven of safety. To God alone be glory for His manifold graces – to God who forgives the sins of sinners and bestows rewards. Amen. – St. Odo of Cluny, 849-942 (Memorial of St. Mary Magdalene, July 22)
For a Firm Purpose of Amendment
O Lord, I place myself into your hands and dedicate myself to you. I pledge myself to do your will in all things: To love the Lord God with all my heart, all my soul, all my strength. Not to kill. Not to steal. Not to covet. Not to bear false witness. To honor all persons. Not to do to another what I would not wish done to myself. To chastise my body. Not to seek after pleasures. To love fasting. To relieve the poor. To clothe the naked. To visit the sick. To bury the dead. To help in trouble. To console the sorrowing. To hold myself aloof from worldly ways. To prefer nothing to the love of Christ. Not to give way to anger. Not to foster a desire for revenge. Not to entertain deceit in my heart. Not to make a false peace. Not to forsake charity. Not to swear, lest I swear falsely. To speak the truth with heart and tongue. Not to return evil for evil. To do no injury: yea, even to bear patiently any injury done to me. To love my enemies. Not to curse those who curse me, but rather to bless them. To bear persecution for justice’s sake. Not to be proud. Not to be given to intoxicating drink. Not to be an over-eater. Not to be lazy. Not to be slothful. Not to be a murmurer. Not to be a detractor. To put my trust in God. To refer any evil in myself to myself. To fear the day of judgment. To be in dread of hell. To desire eternal life with spiritual longing. To keep death before my eyes daily. To keep constant watch over my actions. To remember that God sees me everywhere. To call upon Christ for defense against evil thoughts that arise in my heart. To guard my tongue against wicked speech. To avoid much speaking. To avoid idle talk. To read only what is good to read. To look at only what is good to see. To pray often. To ask forgiveness daily for my sins, and to seek ways to amend my life. To obey my superiors in all things rightful. Not to desire to be thought holy, but to seek holiness. To fulfill the commandments of God by good works. To love chastity. To hate no one. Not to be jealous or envious of anyone. Not to love strife. Not to love pride. To honor the aged. To pray for my enemies. To make peace after a quarrel, before the setting of the sun. Never to despair of your mercy, O God of Mercy. Amen. – From the Rule of St. Benedict – Patron of Europe, 480-547 (Memorial: July 11)
General Intercession
O Jesus, pour forth thy blessings on our Holy Mother Church and on our Holy Father, the Pope, on our government, our nation and on all your sons and daughters. Sanctify the priests, comfort the missionaries, make fervent the religious orders, fortify the just, convert sinners, enlighten the unbelievers and the heretics, console the afflicted, give work and bread to the poor, protect children, born and unborn, make joyful the rich, defend the widows, the strangers and the orphans, give peace and prosperity to our families, give solace to the sick, assist the dying, free the souls The Catholic Response 9 in Purgatory and extend over all hearts the sweet rule of your love! Amen.
For the Feast of Our Lord’s Transfiguration (August 6)
My Jesus, from all eternity you were pleased to give yourself to us in love. And you planted within us a deep spiritual desire that can only be satisfied by yourself. I may go from here to the other end of the world, from one country to another, from riches to greater riches, from pleasure to pleasure, and still I shall not be content. All the world cannot satisfy the immortal soul. It would be like trying to feed a starving man with a single grain of wheat. We can only be satisfied by setting our hearts, imperfect as they are, on you. We are made to love you; you created us as your lovers. It sometimes happens that the more we know a neighbor, the less we love him. But with you it is quite the opposite. Knowledge of you kindles such a fire in our souls that we have no energy left for worldly desires. My Jesus, how good it is to love you. Let me be like your disciples on Mount Tabor, seeing nothing else but you. Let us be like two bosom friends, neither of whom can ever bear to offend the other. – St. Jean-Baptiste Marie Vianney, 1786-1859; Patron of Parish Priests (Memorial: August 4) [The Solemnity of Our Lady’s Bodily Assumption in Heaven is August 15 and commemorated in the fourth glorious mystery of the Holy Rosary; her Coronation as Queen of Heaven and Earth is observed on August 22 and in the fifth glorious mystery.]
Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen. – Ascribed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux, 1090-1153 (Memorial: August 20)
Act of Dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary
My Queen and my Mother, I give myself entirely to thee, and in proof of my filial affection, I consecrate to thee this day my eyes, my ears, my tongue, my heart, my whole being without reserve. Since I am thine own, keep me and guard me as thy property and possession. Amen. A Salutary Reminder [Lord], thou hast made us for thyself, and our heart is restless until it rests in thee. – St. Augustine (Memorial: August 28)