PRAYERS
(From the Pieta Prayer Booklet)
Prayer to St. Joseph
Over 1900 years old
O St. Joseph whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires. O St. Joseph do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your Heavenly power I may offer my Thanksgiving and Homage to the Loving of Fathers. O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press him in my name and kiss His fine Head for me, and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for us. Amen.
Prayer for Daily Neglects
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with all its Love, all its Sufferings and all its Merits.
First – To expiate all the sins I have committed this day and during all my life. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Second – To purify the good I have done badly this day and during all my life. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Third – To supply for the good I ought to have done, and that I have neglected this day and during all my life. Glory be to the Father, etc.
A Poor Clare nun, who had just died, appeared to her abbess, who was praying for her, and said to her, “I went straight to heaven, for, by means of this prayer, recited every evening, I paid my debts.”
An Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for all my sins because of them I deserve the eternal pains of hell, 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 confess my sins, to do penance, to avoid the proximate occasion of sin and never to sin anymore. Amen.
Prayer to Obtain the Grace of all World's Masses
Eternal Father we humbly offer Thee our poor presence and that of the whole of humanity from the beginning to the end of the world at all the Masses that ever have or ever will be prayed. We offer Thee all the pains, suffering, prayers, sacrifices, joys and relaxations of our lives, in union with those of our dear Lord Jesus here on earth. May the Most Precious Blood of Christ, all His blood and wounds and agony save us, through the sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary. Amen.
Prayer to the Infant of Prague
O merciful Infant Jesus! I know of Thy miraculous deeds for the sick ... in view of the innumerable graces and the cures granted ... through the veneration of Thy Holy Infancy, particularly in the statue of Prague ... I exclaim with the greatest assurance: O most loving ... Infant Jesus, Thou canst cure me if Thou wilt! Extend Thy holy hand and by Thy power take away all pain and infirmity.
Prayer Before a Crucifix
Look down upon me good and gentle Jesus, while before Thy face I humbly kneel and with burning soul pray and beseech Thee to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope and charity, true contrition for my sins and a firm purpose of amendment, while I contemplate with great love and tender pity Thy Five Wounds, pondering over them within me and calling to mind the words which David Thy prophet said of Thee my Jesus, “They have pierced My Hands and My Feet, they have numbered all My Bones.” (Ps. 21, 17-18)
ANIMA CHRISTI
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds, hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee.
From the malignant enemy, defend me.
In the hour of my death, call me.
And bid me come to Thee.
That with Thy saints I may praise Thee.
Forever and ever. Amen.
Rosary of the Holy Wounds
of Our Lord Jesus Christ
May be said on the Rosary Beads
On the large beads: Eternal Father, I offer Thee the WOUNDS of Our Lord Jesus Christ – To heal the wounds of our souls.
On the small beads: My Jesus, pardon and mercy – Through the merits of Thy HOLY WOUNDS.
These two invocations were taught by Our Lord to Sr. M. Martha Chambon, deceased, in the Visitation of Chambery, France, March 21, 1907.
The Sister received from Our Lord a double “Misson”: constantly to invoke the HOLY WOUNDS herself, and to revive this devotion in the world.
Promise of Our Lord
to Sr. Mary Martha
“I will grant all that is asked of Me by the invocation of My HOLY WOUNDS. You must spread the devotion.”
Prayer to Defeat the Work of Satan
O Divine Eternal Father, in union with your Divine Son and the Holy Spirit, and through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg You to destroy the power of your greatest enemy – the evil spirits.
Cast them into the deepest recesses of hell and chain them there forever! Take possession of your Kingdom, which You have created and which is rightfully yours.
Heavenly Father, give us the reign of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
I repeat this prayer out of pure love for You with every beat of my heart and with every breath I take. Amen.
Brown Scapular
Blessed Virgin Mary to Saint Dominic, “One day through the Rosary and Scapular I will save the world.”
“Whosoever dies clothed in this (scapular) shall not suffer eternal fire.”
This is Mary's Promise made July 16, 1261 to Saint Simon Stock.
“Wear it devoutly and perseveringly,” she says to each soul, “it is my garment. To be clothed in it means you are continually thinking of me, and I in turn, am always thinking of you and helping you to secure eternal life.”
Prayer
O beautiful Flower of Carmel, most fruitful vine, Splendor of Heaven, holy and singular, who brought forth the Son of God, still ever remaining a Pure Virgin, assist me in this necessity. O Star of the Sea, help and protect me! Show me that Thou art my Mother.
O Mary, Conceived without sin,
Pray for us who have recourse to thee!
Mother and Ornament of Carmel, Pray for us!
Virgin, Flower of Carmel, Pray for us!
Patroness of all who wear the Scapular, Pray for us!
Hope of all who die wearing the Scapular, Pray for us!
St. Joseph, Friend of the Sacred Heart, Pray for us!
St. Joseph, Chaste Spouse of Mary, Pray for us!
St. Joseph, Our Patron, Pray for us!
O sweet Heart of Mary, Be our Salvation!
A Short Way of the Cross
As used by the Franciscan Fathers on their Missions
First Station
Jesus Condemned to Death
O Jesus! so meek and uncomplaining, teach me resignation in trials.
Second Station
Jesus Carries His Cross
My Jesus, this Cross should be mine, not Thine; my sins crucified Thee.
Third Station
Our Lord Falls the First Time
O Jesus! by this first fall, never let me fall into mortal sin.
Fourth Station
Jesus Meets His Mother
O Jesus! may no human tie, however dear, keep me from following the road of the Cross.
Fifth Station
Simon the Cyrenean Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
Simon unwillingly assisted Thee; may I with patience suffer all for Thee.
Sixth Station
Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
O Jesus! Thou didst imprint Thy sacred features upon Veronica's veil; stamp them also indelibly upon my heart.
Seventh Station
The Second Fall of Jesus
By Thy second fall, preserve me, dear Lord, from relapse into sin.
Eighth Station
Jesus Consoles the Women of Jerusalem
My greatest consolation would be to hear Thee say: “Many sins are forgiven thee, because thou hast loved much.”
Ninth Station
Third Fall of Jesus
O Jesus! when weary upon life's long journey, be Thou my strength and my perseverance.
Tenth Station
Jesus Stripped of His Garments
My soul has been robbed of its robe of innocence; clothe me, dear Jesus, with the garb of penance and contrition.
Eleventh Station
Jesus Nailed to the Cross
Thou didst forgive Thy enemies; my God, teach me to forgive injuries and forget them.
Twelfth Station
Jesus Dies on the Cross
Thou art dying, my Jesus, but Thy Sacred Heart still throbs with love for Thy sinful children.
Thirteenth Station
Jesus Taken Down from the Cross
Receive me into thy arms, O Sorrowful Mother; and obtain for me perfect contrition for my sins.
Fourteenth Station
Jesus Laid in the Sepulchre
When I receive Thee into my heart in Holy Communion, O Jesus, make it a fit abiding place for Thy adorable Body. Amen.
Prayer to the Shoulder Wound of Christ
O Loving Jesus, meek Lamb of God, I miserable sinner, salute and worship the most Sacred Wound of Thy Shoulder on which Thou didst bear Thy heavy Cross, which so tore Thy Flesh and laid bare Thy Bones as to inflict on Thee an anguish greater than any other wound of Thy Most Blessed Body. I adore Thee, O Jesus most sorrowful; I praise and glorify Thee, and give Thee thanks for this most sacred and painful Wound, beseeching Thee by that exceeding pain, and by the crushing burden of Thy heavy Cross to be merciful to me, a sinner, to forgive me all my mortal and venial sins, and to lead me on towards Heaven along the Way of Thy Cross. Amen.
Spiritual Communion
O Jesus I turn toward the holy tabernacle where You live hidden for love of me. I love you, O my God. I cannot receive you in Holy Communion. Come nevertheless and visit me with Your grace. Come spiritually into my heart. Purify it. Sanctify it. Render it like unto Your own. Amen.
Devotion to the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary
This Message was confided by Our Lord to Berthe Petit, a humble Franciscan Tertiary, born on January 23, 1870, at Enghien, Belgium:
“Teach souls to love the Heart of My Mother pierced by the very sorrows which pierced Mine.” (December 25, 1909)
At the Holy Hour (March 25, 1912), the Blessed Virgin spoke thus: “I have called myself the Immaculate Conception. To you I call myself Mother of the Sorrowful Heart. This title willed by my Son is dear to me above all others. According as it is spread everywhere, there will be granted graces of mercy, spiritual renewal and salvation.”
Prayer
(Composed by Berthe Petit)
Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, dwelling pure and holy, cover my soul with your maternal protection so that being ever faithful to the voice of Jesus, it responds to His love and obeys His Divine Will.
I wish, O, my Mother, to keep unceasingly before me your co-redemption in order to live intimately with your Heart that is totally united to the Heart of your Divine Son.
Fasten me to this Heart by your own virtues and sorrows. Protect me always.
The Prayer or Blessing Against Storms
Jesus Christ a King of Glory has come in Peace.+ God became man,+ and the Word was made flesh.+ Christ was born of a Virgin.+ Christ suffered.+ Christ was crucified.+ Christ died.+ Christ rose from the dead.+ Christ ascended into Heaven.+ Christ conquers.+ Christ reigns.+ Christ orders.+ May Christ protect us from all storms and lightning,+ Christ went through their midst in Peace,+ and the Word was made flesh.+ Christ is with us with Mary.+ Flee you enemy spirits because the Lion of the Generation of Juda, the Root of David, has won.+ Holy God!+ Holy Powerful God!+ Holy Immortal God!+ Have mercy on us. Amen!
The Angelus
V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Ghost.
(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.
SALVE REGINA
Hail, Holy Queen
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.
Prayer to St. Michael
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the day of Battle; Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into Hell, Satan and all the other evil spirits, who prowl through the world, seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Daily Prayer to Our 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.
The Golden Arrow
May the most holy, most sacred, most adorable, most mysterious and unutterable Name of God be always praised, blessed, loved, adored and glorified in heaven, on earth and under the earth, by all the creatures of God, and by the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the most Holy Sacrament of the altar.
This prayer was revealed by Our Lord to a Carmelite Nun of Tours in 1843 as a reparation for blasphemy.
“This Golden Arrow will wound My Heart delightfully,” He said, “and heal the wounds inflicted by blasphemy.”
Prayer
O Lord Jesus Christ our Mediator with the Father, Who hast been pleased to appoint the Most Blessed Virgin, Thy Mother, to be our Mother also, and our Mediatrix with Thee, mercifully grant that whosoever comes to Thee seeking Thy favours may rejoice to receive all of them through her. Amen.
A Prayer for Priests
Keep them, I pray Thee, dearest Lord, keep them, for they are Thine –
Thy priests whose lives burn out before Thy consecrated shrine.
Keep them, for they are in the world, though from the world apart;
When earthly pleasures tempt, allure, – shelter them in Thy heart.
Keep them, and comfort them in hours of loneliness and pain,
When all their life of sacrifice for souls seems but in vain.
Keep them, and O remember, Lord, they have no one but Thee,
Yet they have only human hearts, with human frailty.
Keep them as spotless as the Host, that daily they caress;
Their every thought and word and deed, deign, dearest Lord, to bless.
Our Father, etc., Hail Mary, etc.
Mary, Queen of the Clergy, pray for them.
Litany of Humility
(for private devotion only)
Which His Eminence Cardinal Merry del Val was accustomed to recite daily after the celebration of Holy Mass.
O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, etc.
From the desire of being extolled,
From the desire of being honored,
From the desire of being praised,
From the desire of being preferred,
From the desire of being consulted,
From the desire of being approved,
From the fear of being humiliated,
From the fear of being despised,
From the fear of suffering rebukes,
From the fear of being calumniated,
From the fear of being forgotten,
From the fear of being ridiculed,
From the fear of being wronged,
From the fear of being suspected,
That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I, etc.
That in the opinion of the world, others may increase, and I may decrease,
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
That others may be praised and I unnoticed,
That others may be preferred to me in everything,
That others become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should,
Efficacious Novena to the
Sacred Heart of Jesus
I. O my Jesus, You said, “verily I say to you, ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you”, behold I knock, I seek and I ask for the grace of ...
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I put all my trust in Thee.
II. O my Jesus, You said, “verily I say to you, whatsoever you shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it to you”, behold in your name I ask the Father for the grace of ...
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I put all my trust in Thee.
III. O my Jesus, You said, “verily I say to you, heaven and earth shall pass away but My words shall not pass away”, behold I encouraged by your infallible words, now ask for the grace of ...
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I put all my trust in Thee.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to whom one thing alone is impossible, namely, not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of Thee through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, your and our tender Mother.
Say the Salve Regina and add, St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us.
This novena prayer was recited every day by Padre Pio for all those who recommended themselves to his prayers.