The young man's guide/Prayers and Devotions
PRAYERS AND DEVOTIONS
I. Daily Prayers
Morning Prayer
ASPIRATIONS
IN THE name of the Father, ✠ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Blessed be the Holy Trinity, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Glory to the Father, Who created me; glory to the Son, Who redeemed me; glory to the Holy Ghost, Who sanctifieth me.
ACT OF ADORATION AND THANKSGIVING
ALMIGHTY and eternal God, I adore Thee, and I thank Thee for all the benefits which Thou, in Thy infinite goodness and mercy, hast conferred upon me. I thank Thee especially for having preserved and protected me this night.
ACT OF FAITH
MY GOD, I believe in Thee, because Thou art Truth itself, and, as Thou hast revealed them to her, I believe all the sacred truths which the holy Catholic Church believes and teaches.
ACT OF HOPE
MY GOD, I hope in Thee, because Thou art all-powerful, most merciful, and faithful to Thy promises; I hope to obtain the pardon of my sins, the grace to live a holy life, to die a happy death, and to obtain life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer.
ACT OF LOVE
MY GOD, I love Thee with my whole heart, and above all things, because Thou art infinitely good; and for the love of Thee I love my neighbor as myself.
ACT OF SUPPLICATION
MY GOD, I beseech Thee most earnestly to bless me, that I may serve Thee faithfully this day by a perfect devotedness to all my duties and a steadfast adherence to all my promises and good resolutions.
ACT OF CONTRITION
MY GOD, I am truly sorry for having sinned because Thou art infinitely good and sin displeases Thee. I will avoid the occasions of sin and strive in all things to do Thy holy will.
ACT OF CONSECRATION
MY GOD, I wish and I resolve to consecrate this day and all the days of my life to Thy honor and glory.
OFFERING
I OFFER Thee all my prayers, works, and sufferings in union with the sacred Heart of Jesus, for the intentions for which He pleads and offers Himself in the holy sacrifice of the Mass, in thanksgiving for Thy favors, in reparation for my offenses, and in humble supplication for my temporal and eternal welfare, for the wants of our holy Mother the Church, for the conversion of sinners, and for the relief of the poor souls in purgatory.
I have the intention to gain all the indulgences attached to the prayers I shall say, and to the good works I shall perform this day. I resolve to gain all the indulgences I can in favor of the holy souls in purgatory.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Apostles' Creed, Glory.
O sweetest Heart of Jesus! I implore That I may ever love Thee more and more.
Indulgence of 300 days, every time. — Pius IX, Nov. 26, 1876.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine.
Indulgence of 300 days, every time. — Pius X, Sept. 15, 1905. Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love!
Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. — Leo XIII, May 21, 1892.
Sweet heart of Mary, be my salvation!
Indulgence of 300 days, every time. — Pius IX, Sept. 30, 1852.
O MARY! my queen! my mother! I give myself entirely to thee; and to show my devotion to thee, I consecrate to thee this day my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my whole being, without reserve. Wherefore, good mother, as I am thine own, keep me, guard me, as thy property and possession.
His Holiness, Pope Pius IX, by a decree of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences Aug. 5, 1851, granted to all the faithful who, with fervor and at least contrite heart, shall say, morning and evening, one Hail Mary, together with his prayer, to implore of the Blessed Virgin vic3ry over temptations, especially over those against chastity, an indulgence of one hundred days, once a day.
St. Joseph, model and patron of those who love the sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us!
Indulgence of 100 days, one a day. — Leo XIII, Dec. 19, 1891.
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.
The Sovereign Pontiff, Pius VI, by a brief, Oct. 2, 1795, granted to all the faithful, every time that, with at least contrite heart and devotion, they shall say this prayer, an indulgence of one hundred days.
ALL ye holy angels and saints of God, and especially you, my dear patron saint, pray for me !
May the Lord bless me, preserve me from all evil, and bring me to life everlasting.
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
INDULGENCED VERSICLE AND RESPONSE
V. Eternal rest give to them, O Lord;
R. And let perpetual light shine upon them. Amen.
Indulgence of 50 days, every time. — Leo XIII, March 22, 1902.
Morning Offering of the Apostleship of Prayer
O JESUS, through the immaculate heart of Mary, I offer Thee my prayers, works, and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of Thy sacred Heart, in union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for the intentions of all our associates, and in particular for the intention recommended this month by the Holy Father.
Evening Prayer
IN THE name of the Father, ✠ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Blessed be the Holy Trinity, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Glory to the Father, Who created me; glory to the Son, Who redeemed me; glory to the Holy Ghost, Who sanctifieth me.
ACT OF ADORATION
ALMIGHTY and eternal God, I adore Thee, and I thank Thee for all the benefits I have received this day through Thy infinite goodness and mercy. Give me light to know my faults and grant me grace to be truly sorry for my sins.
Here examine your conscience on the faults of the day; on the offenses against God, against your neighbor, and against yourself; on the commandments of God and of the Church: and particularly as regards your predominant passion, your promises, and resolutions.
In the event that you have sinned grievously, resolve to go to confession at the first opportunity. Meditate for a few moments on eternity, death, judgment, heaven, and hell, mindful of the admonition of the Holy Spirit: "In all thy works, O man, remember thy last end and thou wilt never sin." Make an act of contrition. ACT OF CONTRITION
O MY God, I am truly sorry for having sinned, because Thou art infinitely good and sin displeases Thee. I am firmly resolved, with the help of Thy grace, never more to offend Thee, and I will carefully avoid the occasions of sin.
ACT OF LOVE
I LOVE Thee, my Lord and my God, with my whole heart and above all things, and for the love of Thee I love my neighbor as myself. Grant that I may love Thee more and more and give me the grace of perseverance, that I may live a holy life, die a happy death, and glorify Thee eternally in heaven.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Apostles' Creed, Glory.
O sweetest heart of Jesus! I implore That I may ever love Thee more and more.
Indulgence of 300 days, each time. — Pius IX, Nov. 26, 1876.
Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love!
Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. — Leo XIII, May 21, 1892.
Sweet heart of Mary, be my salvation!
Indulgence of 300 days, each time. — Pius IX, Sept. 30, 1852. The Memorare
REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary! that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, and sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother! To thee 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.
His Holiness, Pope Pius IX, by a rescript of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, Dec. 11, 1846, granted to all the faithful every time that, with at least contrite heart and devotion, they shall say this prayer, an indulgence of three hundred days; and a plenary indulgence once a month, to all those who, having said it at least once a day for a month, on any day, being truly penitent, after confession and communion, shall visit a church or public oratory, and pray there, for some time, for the intention of His Holiness.
EJACULATIONS.
O MARY! my queen! my mother! remember I am thine own. Keep me, guard me, as thy property and possession.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, assist me in my last agony.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with you. Amen.
Indulgence of 300 days, each time. — Pius VII, Aug. 26, 1814.
MAY the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and all the saints, pray for us to Our Lord, that we may be preserved this night from sin and evil. Amen.
O my good angel, whom God has appointed to be my guardian, watch over me during this night.
May Our Lord bless us and preserve us from all evil and bring us to life everlasting.
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
De Profundis for the Faithful Departed
Ps. cxxix.
Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord! Lord, hear my voice.
Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
If Thou, O Lord, shalt mark our iniquities O Lord, who shall stand it?
For with Thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of Thy law I have waited for Thee, O Lord.
My soul hath relied on His word: my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
From the morning watch even unto night, let Israel hope in the Lord.
Because with the Lord there is mercy: and with Him plenteous redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
The Sovereign Pontiff, Clement XII, by a brief, Caeleste Ecclesice thesauros, Aug. 11, 1736, granted an indulgence of one hundred days to all the faithful who, at the sound of the bell, at the first hour after nightfall, shall say devoutly on their knees the psalm De profundis, or the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Requiem aeternam.
The Sovereign Pontiff, Pius VI, by a rescript of the Sacred Congregation of the Propaganda, March 18, 1781, granted these indulgences to all the faithful who may happen to dwell in a place where no bell for the dead is sounded, provided they shall say the De profundis, or the Our Father, and the Hail Mary, etc., about nightfall.
Have mercy, O Lord, have mercy on the poor souls in purgatory.
V. Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord;
R. And let perpetual light shine upon them!
V. O Lord, hear my prayer;
R. And let my cry come unto Thee!
Let us pray
O GOD! the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of Thy servants departed the remission of all their sins, that through pious supplications they may obtain that pardon which they have always desired, Who livest and reignest now and forever. Amen.
PRAYER
VISIT, we beseech Thee, O Lord, this habitation, and drive far from it all the snares of the enemy : let Thy holy angels dwell herein, to keep us in peace, and may Thy blessing be always upon us. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.
Sprinkle your bed with holy water and, blessing yourself, say when you lie down to rest:
Lord, into Thy hands I commend my spirit.
Prayers During the Day
GRACE BEFORE MEALS
BLESS us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts which we are about to receive from Thy bounty: through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
GRACE AFTER MEALS
WE GIVE Thee thanks, almighty God, for all Thy benefits, Who livest and reignest world without end.
R. Amen.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to reward with eternal life all those who do us good for Thy name's sake.
R. Amen.
V. Let us bless the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.
V. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen.
ACT OF FAITH
O MY God! I firmly believe all the sacred truths which the Catholic Church believes and teaches, because Thou, Who canst neither deceive nor be deceived, hast revealed them.
ACT OF HOPE
O MY God, trusting in Thy promises and relying on Thy infinite power and goodness I hope to obtain pardon for my sins, the assistance of Thy grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer.
ACT OF LOVE
O MY God, I love Thee with my whole heart and above all things, because Thou art the Supreme Good and worthy of all my love. I am sorry for having displeased Thy infinite goodness by my sins. I desire to do Thy holy will and to love thee more and more. For the love of Thee I will love my neighbor as myself.
The Sovereign Pontiff, Benedict XIV, considering that it if. not only useful, but also truly necessary, for eternal salvation to make frequent acts of the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity, in order to excite the faithful to make these acts, granted, by a decree of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, Jan. 28, 1756, confirming the grant already made by Benedict XIII, Jan. 15, 1728, a plenary indulgence, once a month, to all those who shall, daily, devoutly say, and at the same time make with their heart these acts. This indulgence may be gained on any day, when, being truly penitent, after confession and communion, they shall pray for peace and union among Christian princes, for the extirpation of heresy, and for the triumph of Holy Church.
He granted in like manner a plenary indulgence at the hour of death. Finally, to excite the faithful to a very frequent use of these acts, he extended the indulgence of seven years and seven Quarantines (which, by the grant of his
predecessor, could be gained only once a day) to every time that these acts are said with heartfelt devotion.
The same Sovereign Pontiff further declared that, to gain these indulgences, it is not necessary to make use of any set form of words, but that any one may use any form of words which he pleases, provided it expresses the particular motive of each of the three theological virtues.
— The New Raccolta.
The Angelus
V. The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Ghost. Hail Mary, etc.
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord,
R. Be it done unto me according to Thy word. Hail Mary, etc.
V. And the Word was made flesh.
R. And dwelt among us. Hail Mary, etc.
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.