Category Archives: Popular prayers

Lent 2023

Season of Lent 2023

Season of Lent 2023

The Season of lent is a time of spiritual reflection , introspection and renewal for Christians, as they prepare for the celebration Easter.

Lent season lasts for 40 days and leads to Easter . Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday. Lent is a time of penance, reflection, and spiritual renewal for many Christians.

During Lent, Christians are called to observe a period of fasting, prayer, and repentance. This often involves giving up something, such as a favorite food or activity, as a form of self-denial and discipline. Some Christians may also choose to engage in acts of service or give to charity during this time.

The purpose of Lent is to prepare for the celebration of Easter, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. By reflecting on our own sinfulness and need for forgiveness, we can better appreciate the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross. Through repentance and spiritual renewal, we can grow closer to God and deepen our faith.

Lent is observed by many Christian denominations, including Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, and Methodists, among others. While the specifics of how Lent is observed may vary between different traditions, the overall focus on spiritual renewal and reflection remains the same.

Here are few reflections for the season of lent.

  1. Focus on gratitude: Rather than just giving up something for Lent, consider taking on a daily gratitude practice. Each day, write down or think about something you are thankful for. This can help shift your perspective and cultivate a sense of gratitude and contentment.
  2. Practice mindfulness: Lent is a time for self-examination, and mindfulness can help you become more aware of your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Take a few minutes each day to sit quietly and observe your thoughts without judgment.
  3. Connect with others: Lent can be a time for community and connection. Consider attending a church service, volunteering with a local charity, or reaching out to a friend or family member you haven’t spoken to in a while.
  4. Forgive others: Lent is also a time for forgiveness and letting go of grudges. Consider making amends with someone you’ve had a conflict with, or simply letting go of any resentment you may be holding onto.
  5. Cultivate humility: Lent is a time for self-reflection and growth. Practice humility by acknowledging your flaws and mistakes, and seeking to learn and grow from them.
    Remember that the season of Lent is not just about giving something up, but also about making positive changes in your life and deepening your spiritual practice. By reflecting on your values, connecting with others, and cultivating a sense of gratitude and mindfulness, you can make the most of this meaningful time.

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Ash wednesday

Ash wednesday

Ash Wednesday is one of the most popular and important holy days in the liturgical calendar. Ash Wednesday opens Lent, a season of fasting and prayer.

Ash Wednesday takes place 46 days before Easter Sunday, and is chiefly observed by Catholics, although many other Christians observe it too.

Ash Wednesday comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. The practice includes the wearing of ashes on the head. The ashes symbolize the dust from which God made us. As the priest applies the ashes to a person’s forehead, he speaks the words: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Alternatively, the priest may speak the words, “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”

Ashes also symbolize grief, in this case, grief that we have sinned and caused division from God.

Writings from the Second-century Church refer to the wearing of ashes as a sign of penance.

Priests administer ashes during Mass and all are invited to accept the ashes as a visible symbol of penance. Even non-Christians and the excommunicated are welcome to receive the ashes. The ashes are made from blessed palm branches, taken from the previous year’s palm Sunday Mass.

It is important to remember that Ash Wednesday is a day of penitential prayer and fasting. Some faithful take the rest of the day off work and remain home. It is generally inappropriate to dine out, to shop, or to go about in public after receiving the ashes. Feasting is highly inappropriate. Small children, the elderly and sick are exempt from this observance.

It is not required that a person wear the ashes for the rest of the day, and they may be washed off after Mass. However, many people keep the ashes as a reminder until the evening.

Recently, movements have developed that involve pastors distributing ashes to passersby in public places. This isn’t considered taboo, but Catholics should know this practice is distinctly Protestant. Catholics should still receive ashes within the context of Mass.

In some cases, ashes may be delivxered by a priest or a family member to those who are sick or shut-in.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption.

Why we receive the ashes

Following the example of the Ninevites, who did penance in sackcloth and ashes, our foreheads are marked with ashes to humble our hearts and reminds us that life passes away on Earth. We remember this when we are told

“Remember, Man is dust, and unto dust you shall return.”

Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice.

The distribution of ashes comes from a ceremony of ages past. Christians who had committed grave faults performed public penance. On Ash Wednesday, the Bishop blessed the hair shirts which they were to wear during the forty days of penance, and sprinkled over them ashes made from the palms from the previous year. Then, while the faithful recited the Seven Penitential Psalms, the penitents were turned out of the church because of their sins — just as Adam, the first man, was turned out of Paradise because of his disobedience. The penitents did not enter the church again until Maundy Thursday after having won reconciliation by the toil of forty days’ penance and sacramental absolution. Later, all Christians, whether public or secret penitents, came to receive ashes out of devotion. In earlier times, the distribution of ashes was followed by a penitential procession.

The Ashes

The ashes are made from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year. The ashes are christened with Holy Water and are scented by exposure to incense. While the ashes symbolize penance and contrition, they are also a reminder that God is gracious and merciful to those who call on Him with repentant hearts. His Divine mercy is of utmost importance during the season of Lent, and the Church calls on us to seek that mercy during the entire Lenten season with reflection, prayer and penance.

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A Prayer for Guidance

A Prayer for Guidance

Lord Jesus, may everything I do begin with You,
continue with Your help,
and be done under Your guidance.
May my sharing in the Mass free me from my sins,
and make me worthy of Your healing.
May I grow in Your Love and Your service,
and become a pleasing offering to You;
and with You to Your Father.
May the mystery I celebrate help me
to reach eternal life with you.

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St. Michael, For Protection of the Church and Her Members

St. Michael, For Protection of the Church and Her Members

O glorious St. Michael, guardian and defender of the Church of Jesus Christ, come to the assistance of this Church, against which the powers of hell are unchained, guard with especial care her august Head, and obtain that for him and for us the hour of triumph may speedily arrive. O glorious Archangel St. Michael, watch over us during life, defend us against the assaults of the demon, assist us especially at the hour of death; obtain for us a favorable judgment, and the happiness of beholding God face to face for endless ages. Amen.

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Prayer for Palm Sunday and Holy Week

Prayer for Palm Sunday and Holy Week

(This prayer is designed to be said within the family before a Crucifix on Palm Sunday and during Holy Week.)
Mother or a child:
(Taken from the words of Pope Pius XII On the Sacred Liturgy. )
Dearly beloved, in Holy Week, when the most bitter sufferings of Jesus Christ are put before us by the liturgy, the Church invites us to come to Calvary and follow in the blood-stained footsteps of the Divine Redeemer, to carry the Cross willingly with Him, to reproduce in our hearts His spirit of expiation and atonement, and to die together with Him.
Father:
We ought to glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ
Family:
in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection.
Father:
Let us pray.
All-powerful, eternal God, You have chosen to give mankind a model of humility;
our Savior took on our flesh, and subjected Himself to the Cross. Grant us the grace to preserve faithfully the lessons
He has given us in his Passion and to have a share in His resurrection. This we ask of You through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son.
Family:
Amen.
Favour this dwelling, Lord, with Your presence. Far from it repulse all the wiles of Satan. Your holy angels, let them live here, to keep us in peace. And may your blessing remain always upon us. This we ask of You through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son.
Father:
Let us bless the Lord.
Family:
Thanks be to God.
Father:
May the almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless and keep us.
Family:
Amen.

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Act of Consecration to Jesus

Act of Consecration to Jesus

Lord Jesus Christ, I consecrate myself today anew and without reserve to your divine Heart. I consecrate to you my body with all its senses, my soul with all its faculties, my entire being. I consecrate to you all my thoughts, words and deeds, all my sufferings and labors, all my hopes, consolations and joys. In particular I consecrate to you this poor heart of mine so that it may love only you and may be consumed as a victim in the fire of your love.

I place my trust in you without reserve and I hope for the remission of my sins through your infinite mercy. I place within your hands all my cares and anxieties. I promise to love you and to honor you till the last moment of my life, and to spread, as much as I can, devotion to your most Sacred Heart.

Do with me what you will, my Jesus. I deserve no other reward except your greater glory and your holy love. Take this offering of myself and give me a place within your divine Heart forever. Amen.

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For Healing

For Healing

Lord, You invite all who are burdened to come to You. Allow your healing hand to heal me. Touch my soul with Your compassion for others. Touch my heart with Your courage and infinite love for all. Touch my mind with Your wisdom, that my mouth may always proclaim Your praise. Teach me to reach out to You in my need, and help me to lead others to You by my example. Most loving Heart of Jesus, bring me health in body and spirit that I may serve You with all my strength. Touch gently this life which You have created, now and forever. Amen.

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To St. Joseph for Protection

To St. Joseph for Protection

Gracious St. Joseph, protect me and my family from all evil as you did the Holy Family. Kindly keep us ever united in the love of Christ, ever fervent in imitation of the virtue of our Blessed Lady, your sinless spouse, and always faithful in devotion to you. Amen.

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Saint Anthony of Padua

Saint Anthony of Padua

Holy Saint Anthony, gentle and powerful in your help, your love for God and charity for His creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on your word, which you were always ready to request for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I implore you to obtain for me (request). The answer to my prayer may require a miracle. Even so, you are the Saint of miracles. Gentle and loving Saint Anthony, whose heart is ever full of human sympathy, take my petition to the Infant Savior for whom you have such a great love, and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Amen.

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Prayer for a Blessing on the New Year

Prayer for a Blessing on the New Year

O sacred and adorable Trinity, hear our prayers on behalf of our holy Father the Pope, our Bishops, our clergy, and for all that are in authority over us. Bless, we beseech Thee, during the coming year, the whole Catholic Church; convert heretics and unbelievers; soften the hearts of sinners so that they may return to Thy friendship; give prosperity to our country and peace among the nations of the world; pour down Thy blessings upon our friends, relatives, and acquaintances, and upon our enemies, if we have any; assist the poor and the sick; have pity on the souls of those whom this year has taken from us; and do Thou be merciful to those who during the coming year will be summoned before Thy judgment seat. May all our actions be preceded by Thy inspirations and carried on by Thy assistance, so that all our prayers and works, having been begun in Thee, may likewise be ended through Thee. Amen.

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