PRAYERS & DEVOTIONS
We should seek not so much to pray but to become prayer.
~ St. Francis of Assisi
Saint Katharine Drexel Prayer
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Ever loving God, you called Saint Katharine Drexel to teach the message of the Gospel and to bring the life of the Eucharist to the Black and Native American peoples.
By her prayers and example, enable us to work for justice among the poor and oppressed. Draw us all into the Eucharistic community of your Church, that we may be one in you.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayers to St. Anthony​
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O holy Saint Anthony,
We come to invoke your help, confident of experiencing your goodness and your power, the consolation of so many people. Pray for us to the Father of mercies. In our name, speak to him that we may obtain the particular graces we need.
(Pause here to remember your petitions)
True follower of St. Francis, help us to imitate your life and work for God and for our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Put into our hearts the flame of your love that we may love our merciful Father in heaven and our neighbors as ourselves.
Pray that we may fulfill the will of our heavenly Father, and live the way Jesus shows us in the Gospels. Be a guide for us this day that we may recognize the opportunities God gives us to be selfless and not selfish. Assist us in keeping the promises we made at our baptism. Help us to obtain the grace to walk in the light of faith, and to proclaim that faith by the way we live. Guide our devotion so that we may live with you the Gospel of Christ and grow with you in his love. Amen.
St. Anthony, light of the Holy Church, lover of God’s Law and Doctor of the Gospel, pray for us to the Son of God.
Let us pray:
Good St. Anthony, in your own life you brought together deep learning and great holiness. Take up our petitions and prayers and make them your own. Bless and comfort all who turn to you. With your good example before us, may we persevere in running the race. Good friar and friend, walk with us as we journey in life until at length we arrive at the fullness of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayers to St. Jude​
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St. Jude, Apostle of Christ, you have taught us to build all things on the foundation of faith, to pray in the Holy Spirit, to keep ourselves in the love of God and to look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. Pray for the Church that is built on the apostolic witness and word.
Pray that we may receive the fruit of the Spirit of God:
love, joy and peace, patience, kindness and generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. May we grow in understanding and forgiveness and be free from every fear. With these strengths of heart and mind may we persevere in a holy life. Amen.
Now to him who is able to keep you from falling and make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen.
To the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen.
Peace Prayer ~ St. Francis of Assisi​
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Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may seek not so much to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love;
For it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen
Novena to Mary, Untier of Knots ​
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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.Amen.
Let us pray for those who are having difficulty with the knots of their lives.
For those having marriage troubles, we pray:
Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
For those beset by financial problems, we pray:
Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
For those struggling to find employment, we pray:
Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
For those suffering from illness, we pray:
Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
For those dealing with loneliness, we pray:
Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
For those burdened with fears and worries, we pray:
Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
For those fighting addiction or behavioral problems, we pray:
Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
For those suffering discord in their families, we pray:
Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
For those overwhelmed by anguish or despair, we pray:
Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
For those victimized by violence or neglect, we pray:
Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
For those targeted by racism or discrimination, we pray:
Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
For those struggling to let go of grudges, we pray:
Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
For those seeking to make peace, we pray:
Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
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Now with confidence in God who hears us and helps us in all our struggles, we ask Mary to join our prayer:
Holy Mary, full of the presence of God,
during your life you accepted with great humility
The holy will of the Father
and the legacy of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ.
Evil never entangled you with its confusion.
As you did the young couple at the wedding feast of Cana,
you have interceded for all our difficulties.
With simplicity and patience,
you have given us an example of how to untangle
the knots in our complicated lives.
By being our mother forever,
you arrange and make clear the path that unites us
to Our Lord.
Holy Mary, Mother of God and our mother,
untie the knots that upset our lives.
Receive us into your hands,
as well as those for whom we pray,
and deliver us from the chains and confusion that restrain us.
Blessed Virgin Mary, through your grace, your intercession,
and by your example, deliver us from evil,
and untie the knots that keep us from being untied to God
so that free of all confusion and error,
we may find Him in all things,
keep Him in our hearts,
and serve Him always in our brothers and sisters.
Amen.
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Through the intercession of Holy Mary, Untier of Knots, may almighty God bless you: the Father, + and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayers for the Sick
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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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SCRIPTURAL LITANY FOR THE SICK
Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go. (Jos. 1:9)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall want for nothing;I fear no evil; for you are at my side. (Ps. 23)
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear?The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid? (Ps. 27)
God is our refuge and our strength, an ever present help in distress. The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob. (Ps. 46)
Bless the Lord, O my soul; and forget not all his benefits.He pardons all your iniquities, he heals all your ills. (Ps. 103)
Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. (Mt. 11:28)
I am with you always, until the end of the world. (Mt. 28:20)
I myself am the living bread come down from heaven. If anyone eats this bread he shall live forever. (Jn. 6:51)
I came that they might have life and have it to the full. (Jn. 10:10)
I am the resurrection and the life: whoever believes in me, even though he should die, will come to life; and whoever is alive and believes in me will never die. (Jn. 11:25)
Do not let your hearts be troubled. (Jn. 14:1)
A BLESSING FOR THE SICK
Lord Jesus, when you were on earth, they brought the sick to you and you healed them all. Today I ask you to bless all those in sickness, in weakness and in pain.
For those who are blind and who cannot see the light of the sun;
the beauty of the world, or the faces of their friends:
Bless your people, O Lord.
For those who are deaf and cannot hear the voices which speak to them:
Bless your people, O Lord.
For those who are helpless and who must lie in bed while others go out and in:
Bless your people, O Lord.
For those whose minds have lost their reason
and those who are so nervous that they cannot cope with life:
Bless your people, O Lord.
For those who must face life under some handicap;
those whose weakness means that they must always be careful:
Bless your people, O Lord.
For those suffering from debilitating or terminal illness
and for their caregivers:
Bless your people, O Lord.
For those who are near the hour of death and in their final struggle:
Bless your people, O Lord.
Father, your only Son took upon himself the sufferings and weakness of the whole human race; through his passion and cross he taught us how good can be brought out of suffering. Look upon our brothers and sisters who are ill, whom we now remember in a special way. In the midst of illness and pain, may they be united with Christ, who heals both body and soul. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Almighty God, as we ask your help for our brothers and sisters who are ill, we ask you to help us to be healing people in our time and place. May your love touch others through us, and may I help all people to live in peace. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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Stations of the Cross​
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Opening Prayer
God of power and mercy, in love your sent your Son
that we might be cleansed of sin and live with you forever.
Bless us as we gather to reflect on his suffering and death
that we may learn from his example the way we should go.
We ask this through that same Christ, our Lord. Amen.
First Station Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 25:36-41
Lord,
grant us your strength and wisdom, that we may seek to follow
your will in all things
Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
Second Station Jesus, Betrayed by Judas, is Arrested
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Then, while [Jesus] was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs, who had come from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying, “the man I sh kiss is the one; arrest him and lead him away securely.” He came and immediately went over to him and said, “Rabbi.” And he kissed him. At this they laid hands on him and arrested him.Mark 14: 43-46
Lord,
grant us the courage of our convictions that our lives may
faithfully reflect the good news you bring. Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
Third Station Jesus is Condemned by the Sanhedrin
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
When day came the council of elders of the people met, both chief priests and scribes, and they brought him before their Sanhedrin. They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us,” but he replied to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe and if I question, you will not respond. But from this time on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” They asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied to them, “You say that I am.” Then they said, “What further need have we for testimony? We have heard it from his own mouth.” Luke 22: 66-71
Lord,
grant us your sense of righteousness that we may never cease to work
to bring about the justice of the kingdom that you promised. Lord
Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
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Fourth Station Jesus is Denied by Peter
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
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Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. One of the maids came over to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about!” As he went out to the gate, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus the Nazorean.” Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man!” A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; even your speech gives you away.” At that he began to curse and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately a cock crowed. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken “Before the cock crows you will deny me three times.” He went out and began to weep bitterly.Matthew 26: 69-75
Lord,
grant us the gift of honesty that we may not fear to speak the
truth even when difficult. Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
Fifth Station Jesus is Judged by Pilate
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
The chief priests with the elders and the scribes, that is, the whole
Sanhedrin, held a council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He said to him in reply, “You say so.” The chief priests accused him of many things. Again Pilate questioned him, “Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse you of.” Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed…. Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barrabas… [and] handed [Jesus] over to be crucified. Mark 15:1-5, 15
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Lord,
grant us discernment that we may see as you see, not as the world
sees. Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
Sixth Station Jesus is Scourged and Crowned with Thorns
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged. And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head, and clothed him in a purple cloak, and they came to him and said,”Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck him repeatedly. John 19:1-3
Lord,
grant us patience in times of suffering that we may offer our
lives as a sacrifice of praise. Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
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Seventh Station Jesus Bears the Cross
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
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When the chief priests and the guards saw [Jesus] they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him. I find no guilt in him.” … They cried out, “Take him away, take him away! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Sh I crucify your king?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross himself he went out to what is ced the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. John 19:6, 15-17
Lord,
grant us strength of purpose that we may faithfully bear our
crosses each day. Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
Eighth Station Jesus is Helped by Simon the Cyrenian to Carry the Cross
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. Mark 15:21
Lord,
grant us willing spirits that we may be your instruments on
earth. Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
Ninth Station Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.’ At that time, people will say to the mountains, ‘F upon us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?” Luke 23:27-31
Lord,
grant us gentle spirits that we may comfort those who
mourn. Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
Tenth Station Jesus is Crucified
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. [Then Jesus said,
"Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."] Luke 23:33-34
Lord,
grant us merciful hearts that we may bring your reconciliation
and forgiveness to all. Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
Eleventh Station Jesus Promises His Kingdom to the Good Thief
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:39-43
Lord,
grant us perseverance that we may never stop seeking you.
Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
Twelfth Station Jesus Speaks to His Mother and the Disciple
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. John 19:25-27
Lord,
grant us constancy that we may be willing to stand by those in
need. Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
Thirteenth Station Jesus Dies on the Cross
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”; and when he had said this he breathed his last. Luke 23:44-46
Lord,
grant us trust in you that when our time on earth is ended
our spirits may come to you without delay.Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
Fourteenth Station Jesus is Placed in the Tomb
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who was himself a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be handed over. Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it [in] clean linen and laid it in his new tomb that he had hewn in the rock. Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomb and departed. Matthew 27:57-60
Lord,
grant us your compassion that we may always provide for those in
need. Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, your passion and death is the sacrifice that unites
earth and heaven and reconciles people to you. May we who have faithfully reflected on these mysteries follow in your steps and so come to share your glory in heaven where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
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