O God, the shepherd and ruler
of all the faithful, look down
favorably upon Thy servant
Benedict, whom Thou hast been
pleased to appoint pastor over
Thy Church; grant we beseech
Thee, that he may benefit both
by word and example those
over whom he is set, and thus
attain unto life eternal, together
with the flock committed to his
care. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ, Thy Son, who with Thee
livest and reignest world
without end. Amen.
world with Thy teaching and example, didst will to pass the greater part
of Thy life in humility and subjection to Mary and Joseph in the poor
home of Nazareth, thus sanctifying the Family that was to be an
example for all Christian families, graciously receive our family as it
dedicates
and consecrates itself to Thee this day.
Do Thou protect us, guard us and establish amongst us Thy holy fear,
true peace and concord in Christian love: in order that by living
according to the divine pattern of Thy family we may be able,
all of us without exception, to attain to eternal happiness.
Mary, dear Mother of Jesus and Mother of us, by the kindly intercession
make this our humble offering acceptable in the sight of Jesus, and
obtain for us His graces and blessings.
O Saint Joseph, most holy Guardian of Jesus and Mary,
help us by thy prayers in all our spiritual and temporal needs;
that so we may be enabled to praise our divine Savior Jesus,
together with Mary and thee, for all eternity.
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be three times. Amen.
An indulgence of 500 days. A plenary indulgence on the usual conditions, if this prayer is
repeated with devotion every day for a month.
We pray for the happy repose of
the soul of Pope John Paul II.
May eternal rest be granted unto
him, O Lord, and let Perpetual
Light shine upon him, and may
he rest in peace.
May his soul and the souls of all
the faithful departed, through
the Mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen
Lord God, from you every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.
Father, you are Love and Life.
Through your Son, Jesus Christ, born of woman, and through the Holy
Spirit, fountain of divine charity, grant that every family on earth may
become for each successive generation a true shrine of life and love.
Grant that your grace may guide the thoughts and actions of husbands
and wives for the good of their families and of all the families in the world.
Grant that the young may find in the family solid support for their human
dignity and for their growth in truth and love.
Grant that love, strengthened by the grace of the sacrament of
marriage, may prove mightier than all the weakness and trials through
which our families sometimes pass.
Through the intercession of the Holy Family of Nazareth,
grant that the Church may fruitfully carry out her worldwide mission in the
family and through the family.
Through Christ our Lord, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life
for ever and ever.
Amen.+
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in
the the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen
for the Increase of Priestly and Religious Vocations
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Eternal Father,
Son of the Virgin Mary,
we thank you for offering your life in sacrifice on
the Cross, and for renewing this sacrifice
in every Mass celebrated throughout the world.
In the Power of the Holy Spirit
we adore you and proclaim
your living presence in the Eucharist.
We desire to imitate the love you show us
in your death and resurrection,
by loving and serving one another.
We ask you to call many young people to religious
life, and to provide the holy and generous priests
that are so needed in you Church today.
Lord Jesus, hear our prayer. Amen.
Archbishop Justin Rigali - St. Louis
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.
Hear my humble prayers on behalf of your priest, Father [N].
Give him a deep faith
a bright and firm hope
and a burning love
which will ever increase
in the course of his priestly life.
In his loneliness, comfort him
In his sorrows, strengthen him
In his frustrations, point out to him
that it is through suffering that the soul is purified,
and show him that he is needed by the Church,
he is needed by souls,
he is needed for the work of redemption.
O loving Mother Mary, Mother of Priests,
take to your heart your son who is close to you
because of his priestly ordination,
and because of the power which he has received
to carry on the work of Christ
in a world which needs him so much.
Be his comfort, be his joy, be his strength,
and especially help him
to live and to defend the ideals of consecrated celibacy.
Amen.
+John Joseph, Cardinal Carberry (d.1998)
Archbishop of St. Louis 1968-1979
for Priests
Most gracious Heavenly Father,
We thank you for our for our faithful priests and bishops,
whose spiritual fatherhood and example of fidelity,
self-sacrifice, and devotion is so vital to the faith of your
people.
May our spiritual fathers be guided by the examples of
Saints Peter and Paul, all the Apostles and their saintly
successors. Give them valiant faith in the face of
confusion and conflict, hope in time of trouble and sorrow,
and steadfast love for you, for their families, and for all
your people throughout the world. May the light of your
Truth shine through their lives and their good works.
Assist all spiritual fathers, that through your Grace they
may steadily grow in holiness and in knowledge and
understanding of your Truth. May they generously impart
this knowledge to those who rely on them.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
