AFC DAILY PRAYERS

The Magnificat

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid; for behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed; Because He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His Name. And His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear Him. He has shown might with His arm, He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has given help to Israel, His servant, mindful of His mercy, even as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever. Amen. (This is also said daily in the Divine Office.)

The Morning Offering

Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I adore You profoundly. Help me and all the members of my family, parish, and The Apostolate to take up our crosses this day and to be strengthened and guided by the Most Holy Family. Give us the grace to fulfill our destinies and to have total trust in You. Help us not to be disturbed about the past (provided that we are in the state of grace) or worried about the future, but to realize that we are secure in Your Will when we fulfill the responsibilities of each present moment as perfectly and as mercifully as we can for the unique mission of the Apostolate for Family Consecration. Let The Apostolate fulfill its destiny while always abiding in Christ and remaining an obedient and fruitful branch of the Catholic Church. Help us to gratefully offer our prayers, works, joys, and sufferings, along with our interior and exterior possessions, including the value of our good actions, past, present, and future, all for the Sacred and Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, all through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, all in union with St. Joseph. Amen.

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 toward us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.

​THE ANGELUS

(3 times daily, preferably at meals)

The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary, And she conceived by the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary…
Behold the Handmaid of the Lord, Be it done unto me according to thy word.
Hail Mary…
And the Word was made flesh, And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary…
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, 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.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION PRAYER
FOR THE APOSTOLATE

O Immaculate Conception, Mary, my Mother, live in me, my family, and all the members, benefactors, and cooperators of The Apostolate; act in us; speak in and through us. Think your thoughts in our minds, love through our hearts. Give us your own dispositions and feelings. Teach, lead, and guide us to Jesus. Correct, enlighten, and expand our thoughts and behavior. Possess our souls; take over our entire personalities and lives. Replace us with yourself. Incline us to constant adoration and thanksgiving; pray in and through us. Let us live in you and keep us in this union always. Amen.

St. Joseph Prayer for the Apostolate

St. Joseph, unite my prayers with those of the other members and friends of the society of the Apostolate for Family Consecration throughout the world. We know, St. Joseph, that Our Lord will refuse you nothing. Please ask God to bless The Apostolate and all of its members and friends. Ask Our Lord to help The Apostolate and its Lay Evangelization Teams to make the best use of the modern means of communications to consecrate families, parishes, and movements in the Truth and to help families understand and imitate the Eucharistic, Marian, and family-centered spirituality of Pope John Paul II. St. Joseph, we are confident that you will remove all obstacles in the path of this spiritual renewal program so that our society may be transformed through a chain reaction which will renew our families, neighborhoods, parishes, schools, country, and the entire world. Form the society of the Apostolate for Family Consecration into a useful instrument of the Holy Family, and never let its members and cooperators lose their holy zeal for souls or fall into the sin of spiritual pride like that of the Pharisees, which is so fatal to the work of God. Use The Apostolate as an instrument to bring about the social reign of the Most Holy Family in our age. Amen.

St. Michael the Archangel

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do you, 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.

Guardian Angel

Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule, and to guide. Amen.

Prayer for Servant of God,
Gwen Coniker & Family Unity

Heavenly Father, Gwen Coniker was a model for family fidelity. She taught parents and grandparents how to sacrifice everything to fulfill God's Will and become persons and families for others. Thank you for her work in the spirit of St. Pope John Paul II for the renewal of the Church and society through family consecration. Gwen was a person for others who joyfully lived Your Will by fulfilling the responsibilities of each present moment. She faithfully and lovingly carried out the duties and commitments of her state in life. She showed us how to be always grateful in the deepest of trials, and how to discern and do God's Will moment by moment. Gwen also showed us how to gracefully die a prolonged and painful death without complaint or self-pity. Heavenly Father, we ask you to glorify Gwen. May the Church raise her to the honor of the altars for the encouragement of "family and parish consecration in the truth" to the Holy Family, and for the protection of our families from the evil one (cf. John 17:15-17). We make our prayer and petition for the work of the Apostolate for Family Consecration and our special requests (mention your intentions) through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…

Nihil Obstat: Rev. James M. Dunfee Censor Librorum
​Imprimatur: Most Rev. R. Daniel Conlon (Bishop of Steubenville) October 21, 2002

The Holy Spirit:
Secret to Sanctity & Happiness

by Cardinal Mercier​

Five minutes every day keep your imagination quiet. Shut your eyes to all things of sense and close your ears to all the sounds of earth, so as to be able to withdraw into the sanctuary of your baptized soul, the temple of the Holy Spirit. Speak there to the Holy Spirit, saying: O Holy Spirit, Soul of my soul, I adore You. Enlighten, guide, strengthen and console me. Tell me what I ought to do [today] and command me to do it. I promise to be submissive to everything that You permit to happen to me. Show me only what is Your Will. If you do this, your life will be happy and at peace. Consolation will abound, even in the midst of troubles. Grace will be given in proportion to the trial as well as strength to bear it, bringing you to the Gates of Paradise.

Apostolate's Act of Consecration

Try to say this prayer after Mass.​

Heavenly Father, grant that we, who are nourished by the Body and Blood of Your Divine Son, may die to our own selfishness and be one spirit with Christ, as we seek to fulfill Your distinctive plan for our lives. (pause) Form me and all the members of my family, community, and the apostolate into instruments of atonement. Unite our entire lives with the Holy Sacrifice of Jesus in the Mass of Calvary, and accept our seed sacrifice offering of all of our spiritual and material possessions, for the Sacred and Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, in union with St. Joseph. (pause) Our Father, let Sacred Scripture's Four "C's" of Confidence, Conscience, seed-Charity, and Constancy be our guide for living our consecration as peaceful children, and purified instruments of the Most Holy Family. (pause) Let us live our consecration by remaining perpetually confident, calm, cheerful, and compassionate, especially with the members of our own family and community. (pause) Please protect our loved ones and ourselves from the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Help us to become more sensitive to the inspirations of Your Holy Spirit, the Holy Family, our Patron Saints and Guardian Angels. (pause) And now, Most Heavenly Father, inspire us to establish the right priorities for Your precious gift of time. And most of all, help us to be more sensitive to the needs and feelings of our loved ones. (pause) Never let us forget the souls in Purgatory who are dependent upon us for help. Enable us to gain, for the Poor Souls of our loved ones and others, as many indulgences as possible. We ask You this, Our Father, in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Your Son and the Son of Mary. Amen.

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy

Our Lord taught Saint Faustina a prayer for mercy that she was to pray "unceasingly": The Chaplet of Divine Mercy (cf. Diary, 476). He told her that, if she prayed in this way, her prayers would have great power for the conversion of sinners, for peace for the dying, and even for controlling nature. We, too, can pray this chaplet, using ordinary rosary beads of five decades.

Begin with the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Apostles' Creed.

Then, on the large beads pray: Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

On the small beads pray: For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

At the end, pray three times: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Litany of Joyful Thanksgiving

Try to recite part or all on Sundays. Before retiring, thank God for something specific for that day. The key is to have a thankful and joyful disposition in good times and in bad.​

Jesus, help us now to pause for a few moments and to think of some of the spiritual and material gifts that You have showered upon us, our families, and the entire human race. Lord, You have given us an immortal life. Lord, You took upon Yourself our nature, and have made us members of your royal family and heirs of the thrones in Heaven. Lord, You loved us so, that You died for us on Calvary, so that we could be with you for all eternity. You created Your Mother immaculate and You loved her above all creation, yet You shared Mary with us by making her our Mother as well. You created St. Joseph and allowed him to be the guardian of Your children on earth. You created the billions of angels and saints and allowed them to help us in our earthly pilgrimage. You allow us to be present at Your sacrificial offering to the Father at Mass every day. You humble yourself in the Holy Eucharist to become our daily bread. Your Eucharistic Presence in all the tabernacles of the world continually intercedes for us with our Father. You instituted the other sacraments to give us strength, while Your Church guides us on the narrow path to eternal paradise. You have given us many sacramentals, such as the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, to remind us of the spiritual realities that affect our lives, and to properly dispose us for the reception of special graces You want to confer on us. And most of all, Jesus, You sent Your Most Holy Spirit to dwell within us. Through Baptism and Confirmation, You have made an interior heaven within us. You have truly made us a temple of the Holy Spirit of the Father and Yourself. You daily give us opportunities to become one spirit with You by interiorly uniting ourselves with Your Spirit who dwells within us closer than our very breath (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:16–17). Indeed Lord, what else can You do for us that You have not already done?

Veni Creator

Try to recite on Mondays.​

Come, O Creator Spirit blest, And in our souls take up Thy rest; Come with Thy grace and heavenly aid To fill the hearts which Thou hast made. Great Paraclete, to Thee we cry, O highest gift of God most high! O font of life! O fire of love! And sweet anointing from above. Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts art known, The finger of God's hand we own; The promise of the Father, Thou! Who dost the tongue with power endow. Kindle our senses from above, And make our hearts o'erflow with love; With patience firm and virtue high The weakness of our flesh supply. Far from us drive the foe we dread, And grant us Thy true peace instead; So shall we not, with Thee for guide, Turn from the path of life aside. O may Thy grace on us bestow The Father and the Son to know, And Thee through endless times confessed Of both the eternal Spirit blest. All glory while the ages run Be to the Father and the Son, Who rose from death; the same to Thee, O Holy Ghost, eternally. Amen. Note: On Mondays, we pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory and practice the Norms for Indulgences. Short prayers for the Holy Souls in Purgatory: And may the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen. Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

Litany of the Patrons of AFC

Try to recite on Tuesdays.
God the Father, Our Creator, 
Have mercy on my family and the Apostolate
God the Son, our Redeemer, 
Have mercy on my family and the Apostolate
God the Holy Spirit, our Consoler, 
Have mercy on my family and the Apostolate
Holy Trinity, One God, 
Have mercy on my family and the Apostolate
Most Sacred and Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, 
Have mercy on my family and the Apostolate
Boy Jesus, Our King 
Have mercy on my family and the Apostolate

​Most Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, 
Form my family and the Apostolate
St. Joseph, our Guardian, 
Form my family and the Apostolate
Most Holy Family, our Example, 
Form my family and the Apostolate
St. Anne and St. Joachim, 
Form my family and the Apostolate
St. John the Baptist, 
Form my family and the Apostolate

St. Michael, Prince of Angels, 
Protect my family and the Apostolate
St. Raphael, Guardian of married couples, 
Protect my family and the Apostolate
St. Gabriel, Guardian of those consecrated to Mary, 
Protect my family and the Apostolate
Holy Choir of the Seraphim, Standard for a God-centered life, Protect my family and the Apostolate
Holy Choir of the Cherubim, Pillar of Faith and Purity, 
Protect my family and the Apostolate
Holy Choir of the Thrones, Mainstay for higher units of authority, Protect my family and the Apostolate
Holy Choir of the Dominions, Pillar of spiritual authority, 
Protect my family and the Apostolate
Holy Choir of the Virtues, Advocate of the spiritual life, 
Protect my family and the Apostolate
Holy Choir of the Powers, Mainstay against the demons,
Protect my family and the Apostolate
Holy Choir of the Principalities, Protector of parishes, lay evangelization teams, and spiritual associations, 
Protect my family and the Apostolate
Holy Choir of the Archangels, Advocate of religious and lay apostles, Protect my family and the Apostolate
Holy Choir of the Angels, Guardians of the People of God, Protect my family and the Apostolate
Our own guardian angels, 
Protect my family and the Apostolate

St. Peter, our first Holy Father, 
Intercede for my family and the Apostolate
St. Paul the Evangelist, 
Intercede for my family and the Apostolate
St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, 
Intercede for my family and the Apostolate
St. James the Apostle, 
Intercede for my family and the Apostolate
St. Andrew the Apostle, 
Intercede for my family and the Apostolate
St. Philip the Apostle, 
Intercede for my family and the Apostolate
St. Bartholomew the Apostle, 
Intercede for my family and the Apostolate
St. Thomas the Apostle, 
Intercede for my family and the Apostolate
St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist, 
Intercede for my family and the Apostolate
St. James the Less, 
Intercede for my family and the Apostolate
St. Simon the Apostle, 
Intercede for my family and the Apostolate
St. Jude the Apostle, and patron of desperate cases, 
Intercede for my family and the Apostolate
St. Matthias the Apostle, 
Intercede for my family and the Apostolate
St. Luke the Evangelist, 
Intercede for my family and the Apostolate
St. Mark the Evangelist, 
Intercede for my family and the Apostolate

St. Tarsicius, standard for Eucharistic devotion, 
Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. Maria Goretti, patroness of purity, 
Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. Francis of Assisi, standard for Christian renewal, 
Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. Dominic, patron of the Holy Rosary, 
Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. Thomas Aquinas, patron of Catholic education, 
Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. John Neumann, patron of catechists, 
Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. Ignatius Loyola, defender of the Faith, 
Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. Jerome, patron of Scripture studies, 
Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. Patrick, patron of God-centered countries, 
Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. Teresa of Avila, model for the interior life and devotion to St. Joseph, Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. Therese, the Little Flower, patroness of the active apostolate, and the Little Way, 
Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. Margaret Mary, patroness of devotion to the Sacred Heart, Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. Catherine of Siena, model for lay celibates, 
Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. Louis de Montfort, patron of total consecration, 
Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. Martin de Porres, patron of the suffering, 
Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. John Bosco, patron of youth, 
Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. Nicholas, patron of those in financial need, 
Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. Dominic Savio, patron of youthful deaths, 
Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. Maximilian Kolbe, model for Marian devotion, 
Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. Vincent Pallotti, patron of the lay apostolate, 
Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. John Vianney, patron of parish priests, 
Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, patroness of Catholic schools, 
Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. Thomas More, patron of fidelity to the Holy Father, 
Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. Juan Diego, patron of the Catholic Corps Men's Community and model for lay evangelists and widowers, 
Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. Faustina, model for devotion to Divine Mercy, 
Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. Padre Pio, model for obedience, 
Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. Josemaria Escriva, model for sanctification of one's daily work, Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. Catherine Laboure, patroness of the Miraculous Medal, 
Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. Simon Stock, patron of the Brown Scapular of Mount Carmel, Pray for my family and the Apostolate
St. Lorenzo Ruiz, lay martyr and model for the parish apostolate, Pray for my family and the Apostolate
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, model for acceptance and patroness of Sacri-state Cooperators, 
Pray for my family and the Apostolate
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, model for humility and patroness of the Catholic Corps Women's Community, 
Pray for my family and the Apostolate
Blessed Jacinta and Francisco, patrons of the Fatima message, Pray for my family and the Apostolate
Our own Patron Saints, Pray for my family and the Apostolate.
Amen.

Act of Consecration to St. Joseph

May be recited on Wednesdays​

St. Joseph, I consecrate myself, my entire family and all of my loved ones to you, that you may ever be our father, our patron, and our guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for us purity of heart and a fervent devotion to the spiritual life. Grant that, following your example, we may direct all our actions to the greater glory of God, in union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and in union with you. Finally, St. Joseph, pray for my family, my loved ones, and the members of the apostolate, that we may be partakers in the peace and joy which were yours throughout your life and at the hour of your death. Amen.

Holy Trinity Prayer
​in the Spirit of Fatima

Also an adoration prayer Recommended for Thursday​

Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I adore You profoundly. I offer you the most precious Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges, and indifferences by which he is offended. By the infinite merits of His Most Sacred Heart and through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, in union with St. Joseph, I beg the conversion of poor sinners. Amen.

Act of Reparation to
the Sacred Heart of Jesus

In the Spirit of Blessed Mother Teresa Recommended for Fridays​.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, humbly prostrate before You, we come to renew our consecration, with the resolution of repairing, by an increase of love and fidelity to You, all the outrages unceasingly offered You. We firmly resolve that: The more your mysteries are blasphemed, the more firmly we shall believe in them, O Sacred Heart of Jesus! The more impiety endeavors to extinguish our hopes of immortality, the more we shall trust in Your Heart, sole Hope of mortals! The more hearts resist Your divine attractions, the more we shall love You, O infinitely amiable Heart of Jesus! The more Your divinity is attacked, the more we shall adore it, O Divine Heart of Jesus! The more Your holy Laws are forgotten and transgressed, the more we shall observe them, O most Holy Heart of Jesus. The more Your sacraments are despised and abandoned, the more we shall receive them with love and respect, O Most Liberal Heart of Jesus. The more Your adorable virtues are forgotten, the more we shall endeavor to practice them, O Heart, Model of every virtue! The more Your holy vows of Marriage are neglected and broken, the more we shall observe them with love and fidelity, O Heart most faithful. The more the demon labors to destroy the life of prayer and purity in consecrated souls, the more we will try to keep Purity — pure, Chastity — chaste, Virginity — virginal, O most pure Heart of Jesus. The more mothers destroy the presence and image of God through abortion, the more we shall save them by caring for them or by giving them in adoption, O tender Heart of Jesus. O Sacred Heart, give us so strong and powerful a grace that we may be Your apostles in the midst of the world, and Your crown in a happy eternity. Amen.

Act of Consecration to Jesus
through Mary

by St. Maximilian Kolbe
Recommended for Saturdays

O Immaculata, Queen of Heaven and earth, refuge of sinners and our most loving Mother, God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy to you. I, ______, a repentant sinner, cast myself at your feet humbly imploring you to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to yourself as your possession and property. Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and body, of my whole life, death, and eternity, whatever most pleases you. If it pleases you, use all that I am and have without reserve, wholly to accomplish what was said of you: "She will crush your head," and, "You alone have destroyed all heresies in the whole world." Let me be a fit instrument in your immaculate and merciful hands for introducing and increasing your glory to the maximum in all the many strayed and indifferent souls, and thus help extend as far as possible the blessed kingdom of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. For wherever you enter you obtain the grace of conversion and growth in holiness, since it is through your hands that all graces come to us from the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Amen.

V. Allow me to praise you, O Sacred Virgin.
​R. Give me strength against your enemies.

NOVENAS

St. Joseph Novena​

NOVENA PRAYER (prayer to be said at the end of each day's devotion) Saint Joseph, I, your unworthy child, greet you. You are the faithful protector and intercessor of all who love and venerate you. You know that I have special confidence in you and that, after Jesus and Mary, I place all my hope of salvation in you, for you are especially powerful with God and will never abandon your faithful servants. Therefore I humbly invoke you and commend myself, with all who are dear to me and all that belong to me, to your intercession. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, not to abandon me during life and to assist me at the hour of my death.

Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin, obtain for me a pure, humble, charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the Divine Will. Be my guide, my father, and my model through life that I may merit to die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary.

Loving Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, I raise my heart to you to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Divine Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special grace I now implore:
(Mention your request).

Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I feel confident that your prayers in my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. Amen.

MEMORARE Remember, most pure spouse of Mary, ever Virgin, my loving protector, Saint Joseph, that no one ever had recourse to your protection or asked for your aid without obtaining relief. Confiding, therefore, in your goodness, I come before you and humbly implore you. Despise not my petitions, foster-father of the Redeemer, but graciously receive them. Amen.

DAY ONE — FOSTER-FATHER OF JESUS Saint Joseph, you were privileged to share in the mystery of the Incarnation as the foster-father of Jesus. Mary alone was directly connected with the fulfillment of the mystery, in that she gave her consent to Christ's conception and allowed the Holy Spirit to form the sacred humanity of Jesus from her blood. You had a part in this mystery in an indirect manner, by fulfilling the condition necessary for the Incarnation – the protection of Mary's virginity before and during your married life with her. You made the virginal marriage possible, and this was a part of God's plan, foreseen, willed, and decreed from all eternity. In a more direct manner you shared in the support, upbringing, and protection of the Divine Child as His foster-father. For this purpose the Heavenly Father gave you a genuine heart of a father – a heart full of love and self-sacrifice. With the toil of your hands you were obliged to offer protection to the Divine Child, to procure for Him food, clothing, and a home. You were truly the saint of the holy childhood of Jesus – the living created providence which watched over the Christ-Child. When Herod sought the Child to put Him to death, the Heavenly Father sent an angel but only as a messenger, giving orders for the flight; the rest He left entirely in your hands. It was that fatherly love which was the only refuge that received and protected the Divine Child. Your fatherly love carried Him through the desert into Egypt until all enemies were removed. Then on your arms the Child returned to Nazareth to be nourished and provided for during many years by the labor of your hands. Whatever a human son owes to a human father for all the benefits of his up-bringing and support, Jesus owed to you, because you were to Him a foster-father, teacher, and protector. You served the Divine Child with a singular love. God gave you a heart filled with heavenly, supernatural love – a love far deeper and more powerful than any natural father's love could be. You served the Divine Child with great unselfishness, without any regard to self-interest, but not without sacrifices. You did not toil for yourself, but you seemed to be an instrument intended for the benefit of others, to be put aside as soon as it had done its word, for you disappeared from the scene once the childhood of Jesus had passed. You were the shadow of the Heavenly Father not only as the earthly representative of the authority of the Father, but also by means of your fatherhood – which only appeared to be natural – you were to hide for a while the divinity of Jesus. What a wonderfully sublime and divine vocation was yours – the loving Child which you carried in your arms, and loved and served so faithfully, had God in Heaven as Father and was Himself God! Yours is a very special rank among the saints of the Kingdom of God, because you were so much a part of the very life of the Word of God made Man. In your house at Nazareth and under your care the redemption of mankind was prepared. What you accomplished, you did for us. You are not only a powerful and great saint in the Kingdom of God, but a benefactor of the whole of Christendom and mankind. Your rank in the Kingdom of God, surpassing far in dignity and honor of all the angels, deserves our very special veneration, love, and gratitude. Saint Joseph, I thank God for your privilege of having been chosen by God to be the foster-father of His Divine Son. As a token of your own gratitude to God for this your greatest privilege, obtain for me the grace of a very devoted love for Jesus Christ, my God and my Savior. Help me to serve Him with some of the self-sacrificing love and devotion which you had while on this earth with Him. Grant that through your intercession with Jesus, your foster-Son, I may reach the degree of holiness God has destined for me, and save my soul. *Novena Prayer

DAY TWO — VIRGINAL HUSBAND OF MARY Saint Joseph, I honor you as the true husband of Mary. Scripture says: "Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary, and of her was born Jesus who is called Christ" (Matt. 1:16). Your marriage to Mary was a sacred contract by which you and Mary gave yourselves to each other. Mary really belonged to you with all she was and had. You had a right to her love and obedience; and no other person so won her esteem, obedience, and love. You were also the protector and witness of Mary's virginity. By your marriage you gave to each other your virginity, and also the mutual right over it – a right to safeguard the other's virtue. This mutual virginity also belonged to the divine plan of the Incarnation, for God sent His angel to assure you that motherhood and virginity in Mary could be united. This union of marriage not only brought you into daily familiar association with Mary, the loveliest of God's creatures, but also enabled you to share with her a mutual exchange of spiritual goods. And Mary found her edification in your calm, humble, and deep virtue, purity, and sanctity. What a great honor comes to you from this close union with her whom the Son of God calls Mother and whom He declared the Queen of heaven and earth! Whatever Mary had belonged by right to you also, and this included her Son, even though He had been given to her by God in a wonderful way. Jesus belonged to you as His legal father. Your marriage was the way which God chose to have Jesus introduced into the world, a great divine mystery from which all benefits have come to us. God the Son confided the guardianship and the support of His Immaculate Mother to your care. Mary's life was that of the Mother of the Savior, who did not come upon earth to enjoy honors and pleasures, but to redeem the world by hard work, suffering, and the cross. You were the faithful companion, support, and comforter of the Mother of Sorrows. How loyal you were to her in poverty, journeying, work, and pain. Your love for Mary was based upon your esteem for her as Mother of God. After God and the Divine Child, you loved no one as much as her. Mary responded to this love. She submitted to your guidance with naturalness and easy grace and childlike confidence. The Holy Spirit Himself was the bond of the great love which united your hearts. Saint Joseph, I thank God for your privilege of being the virginal husband of Mary. As a token of your own gratitude to God, obtain for me the grace to love Jesus with all my heart, as you did, and  love Mary with some of the tenderness and loyalty with which you loved her. *Novena Prayer

DAY THREE — MAN CHOSEN BY THE BLESSED TRINITY Saint Joseph, you were the man chosen by God the Father. He selected you to be His representative on earth, hence He granted you all the graces and blessings you needed to be His worthy representative. You were the man chosen by God the Son. Desirous of a worthy foster-father, He added His own riches and gifts, and above all, His love. The true measure of your sanctity is to be judged by your imitation of Jesus. You were entirely consecrated to Jesus, working always near Him, offering Him your virtues, your work, your sufferings, your very life. Jesus lived in you perfectly so that you were transformed into Him. In this lies your special glory, and the keynote of your sanctity. Hence, after Mary, you are the holiest of the saints. You were chosen by the Holy Spirit. He is the mutual Love of the Father and the Son – the heart of the Holy Trinity. In His wisdom He draws forth all creatures from nothing, guides them to their end in showing them their destiny and giving them the means to reach it. Every vocation and every fulfillment of a vocation proceeds from the Holy Spirit. As a foster-father of Jesus and head of the Holy Family, you had an exalted and most responsible vocation – to open the way for the redemption of the world and to prepare for it by the education and guidance of the youth of the God-Man. In this work you cooperated as the instrument of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was the guide; you obeyed and carried out the works. How perfectly you obeyed the guidance of the God of Love! The words of the Old Testament which Pharaoh spoke concerning Joseph of Egypt can well be applied to you: "Can we find such another man, that is full of the spirit of God, or a wise man like to him?" (Gen. 41:38). No less is your share in the divine work of God than was that of Egypt. You now reign with your foster-Son and see reflected in the mirror of God's Wisdom the Divine Will and what is of benefit to our souls. Saint Joseph, I thank God for having made you the man specially chosen by Him. As a token of your own gratitude to God, obtain for me the grace to imitate your virtues so that I too may be pleasing to the Heart of God. Help me to give myself entirely to His service and to the accomplishment of His Holy Will, that one day I may reach heaven and be eternally united to God as you are. *Novena Prayer

DAY FOUR — FAITHFUL SERVANT Saint Joseph, you lived for one purpose – to be the personal servant of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. Your noble birth and ancestry, the graces and gifts, so generously poured out on you by God – all this was yours to serve our Lord better. Every thought, word, and action of yours was a homage to the love and glory of the Incarnate Word. You fulfilled most faithfully the role of a good and faithful servant who cared for the House of God. How perfect was your obedience! Your position in the Holy Family obliged you to command, but besides being the foster-father of Jesus, you were also His disciple. For almost thirty years, you watched the God-Man display a simple and prompt obedience, and you grew to love and practice it very perfectly yourself. Without exception you submitted to God, to the civil rulers, and to the voice of your conscience. When God sent an angel to tell you to care for Mary, you obeyed in spite of the mystery which surrounded her motherhood. When you were told to flee into Egypt under painful conditions, you obeyed without the slightest word of complaint. When God advised you in a dream to return to Nazareth, you obeyed. In every situation your obedience was as simple as your faith, as humble as your heart, as prompt as your love. It neglected nothing; it took in every command. You had the virtue of perfect devotedness, which marks a good servant. Every moment of your life was consecrated to the service of our Lord: sleep, rest, work, pain. Faithful to your duties, you sacrificed everything unselfishly, even cheerfully. You would have sacrificed even the happiness of being with Mary. The rest and quiet of Nazareth was sacrificed at the call of duty. Your entire life was one generous giving, even to the point of being ready to die in proof of your love for Jesus and Mary. With true unselfish devotedness you worked without praise or reward. But God wanted you to be in a certain sense a cooperator in the Redemption of the world. He confided to you the care of nourishing and defending the Divine Child. He wanted you to be poor and to suffer because He destined you to be the foster-father of His Son, who came into the world to save men by His sufferings and death, and you were to share in His suffering. In all of these important tasks, the Heavenly Father always found you a faithful servant! Saint Joseph, I thank God for your privilege of being God's faithful servant. As a token of your own gratitude to God, obtain for me the grace to be a faithful servant of God as you were. Help me to share, as you did, the perfect obedience of Jesus, who came not to do His Will, but the Will of His Father; to trust in the Providence of God, knowing that if I do His Will, He will provide for all my needs of soul and body; to be calm in my trials and to leave it to our Lord to free me from them when it pleases Him to do so. And help me to imitate your generosity, for there can be no greater reward here on earth than the joy and honor of being a faithful servant of God. *Novena Prayer

DAY FIVE — PATRON OF THE CHURCH Saint Joseph, God has appointed you patron of the Catholic Church because you were the head of the Holy Family, the starting-point of the Church. You were the father, protector, guide and support of the Holy Family. For that reason you belong in a particular way to the Church, which was the purpose of the Holy Family's existence. I believe that the Church is the family of God on earth. Its government is represented in priestly authority which consists above all in its power over the true Body of Christ, really present in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, thus continuing Christ's life in the Church. From this power, too, comes authority over the Mystical Body of Christ, the members of the Church – the power to teach and govern souls, to reconcile them with God, to bless them, and to pray for them. You have a special relationship to the priesthood because you possessed a wonderful power over our Savior Himself. Your life and office were of a priestly function and are especially connected with the Blessed Sacrament. To some extent you were the means of bringing the Redeemer to us – as it is the priest's function to bring Him to us in the Mass – for you reared Jesus, supported, nourished, protected and sheltered Him. You were prefigured by the patriarch Joseph, who kept supplies of wheat for his people. But how much greater than he were you! Joseph of old gave the Egyptians mere bread for their bodies. You nourished, and with the most tender care, preserved for the Church Him who is the Bread of Heaven and who gives eternal life in Holy Communion. God has appointed you patron of the Church because the glorious title of patriarch also falls by special right to you. The patriarchs were the heads of families of the Chosen People, and theirs was the honor to prepare for the Savior's incarnation. You belonged to this line of patriarchs, for you were one of the last descendants of the family of David and one of the nearest forebears of Christ according to the flesh. As husband of Mary, the Mother of God, and as the foster-father of the Savior, you were directly connected with Christ. Your vocation was especially concerned with the Person of Jesus; your entire activity centered about Him. You are, therefore, the closing of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New, which took its rise with the Holy Family of Nazareth. Because the New Testament surpasses the Old in every respect, you are the patriarch of patriarchs, the most venerable, exalted, and amiable of all the patriarchs. Through Mary, the Church received Christ, and therefore the Church is indebted to her. But the Church owes her debt of gratitude and veneration to you also, for you were the chosen one who enabled Christ to enter into the world according to the laws of order and fitness. It was by you that the patriarchs and the prophets and the faithful reaped the fruit of God's promise. Alone among them all, you saw with your own eyes and possessed the Redeemer promised to the rest of men. Saint Joseph, I thank God for your privilege of being the Patron of the Church. As a token of your own gratitude to God, obtain for me the grace to live always as a worthy member of this Church, so that through it I may save my soul. Bless the priests, the religious, and the laity of the Catholic Church, that they may ever grow in God's love and faithfulness in His service. Protect the Church from the evils of our day and from the persecution of her enemies. Through your powerful intercession may the church successfully accomplish its mission in this world -- the glory of God and the salvation of souls! *Novena Prayer

DAY SIX — PATRON OF FAMILIES Saint Joseph, I venerate you as the gentle head of the Holy Family. The Holy Family was the scene of your life's work in its origin, in its guidance, in its protection, in your labor for Jesus and Mary, and even in your death in their arms. You lived, moved, and acted in the loving company of Jesus and Mary. The inspired writer describes your life at Nazareth in only a few words: "And (Jesus) went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them" (Luke, 2:51). Yet these words tell of your high vocation here on earth, and the abundance of graces which filled your soul during those years spent in Nazareth. Your family life at Nazareth was all radiant with the light of divine charity. There was an intimate union of heart and mind among the members of your Holy Family. There could not have been a closer bond than that uniting you to Jesus, your foster-Son and to Mary, your most loving wife. Jesus chose to fulfill toward you, His foster-father, all the duties of a faithful son, showing you every mark of honor and affection due to a parent. And Mary showed you all the signs of respect and love of a devoted wife. You responded to this love and veneration from Jesus and Mary  with feelings of deepest love and respect. You had for Jesus a true fatherly love, enkindled and kept aglow in your heart by the Holy Spirit. And you could not cease to admire the workings of grace in Mary's soul, and this admiration caused the holy love which you had consecrated to her on the day of your wedding grow stronger every day. God has made you a heavenly patron of family life because you sanctified yourself as head of the Holy Family and thus by your beautiful example sanctified family life. How peacefully and happily the Holy Family rested under the care of your fatherly rule, even in the midst of trials. You were the protector, counselor, and consolation of the Holy Family in every need. And just as you were the model of piety, so you gave us by your zeal, your earnestness and devout trust in God's providence, and especially by your love, the example of labor according to the Will of God. You cherished all the experiences common to family life and the sacred memories of the life, sufferings, and joys in the company of Jesus and Mary. Therefore the family is dear to you as the work of God, and it is of the highest importance in your eyes to promote the honor of God and the well-being of man. In your loving fatherliness and unfailing intercession you are the patron and intercessor of families, and you deserve a place in every home. Saint Joseph, I thank God for your privilege of living in the Holy Family and being its head. As a token of your own gratitude to God, obtain God's blessing upon my own family. Make our home the kingdom of Jesus and Mary – a kingdom of peace, of joy, and love. I also pray for all Christian families. Your help is needed in our day when God's enemy has directed his attack against the family in order to desecrate and destroy it. In the face of these evils, as patron of families, be pleased to help; and as of old, you arose to save the Child and His Mother, so today arise to protect the sanctity of the home. Make our homes sanctuaries of prayer, of love, of patient sacrifice, and of work. May they be modeled after your own at Nazareth. Remain with us with Jesus and Mary, so that by your help we may obey the commandments of God and of the Church; receive the holy sacraments of God and of the Church; live a life of prayer; and foster religious instruction in our homes. Grant that we may be reunited in God's Kingdom and eternally live in the company of the Holy Family in heaven. *Novena Prayer
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DAY SEVEN — PATRON OF WORKERS Saint Joseph, you devoted your time at Nazareth to the work of a carpenter. It was the Will of God that you and your foster-Son should spend your days together in manual labor. What a beautiful example you set for the working classes! It was especially for the poor, who compose the greater part of mankind, that Jesus came upon earth, for in the synagogue of Nazareth, He read the words of Isaiah and referred them to Himself:  "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor..." (Luke 4:18). It was God's Will that you should be occupied with work common to poor people, that in this way Jesus Himself might ennoble it by inheriting it from you, His foster-father, and by freely embracing it. Thus our Lord teaches us that for the humbler class of workmen, He has in store His richest graces, provided they live content in the place God's Providence has assigned them, and remain poor in spirit for He said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:3). The kind of work to which you devoted your time in the workshop of Nazareth offered you many occasions of practicing humility. You were privileged to see each day the example of humility which Jesus practiced – a virtue most pleasing to Him. He chose for His earthly surroundings not the courts of princes nor the halls of the learned, but a little workshop of Nazareth. Here you shared for many years the humble and hidden toiling of the God-Man. What a touching example for the worker of today! While your hands were occupied with manual work, your mind was turned to God in prayer. From the Divine Master, who worked along with you, you learned to work in the presence of God in the spirit of prayer, for as He worked He adored His Father and recommended the welfare of the world to Him, Jesus also instructed you in the wonderful truths of grace and virtue, for you were in close contact with Him who said of Himself, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life." As you were working at your trade, you were reminded of the greatness and majesty of God, who, as a most wise Architect, formed this vast universe with wonderful skill and limitless power. The light of divine faith that filled your mind, did not grow dim when you saw Jesus working as a carpenter. You firmly believed that the saintly Youth working beside you was truly God's own Son. Saint Joseph, I thank God for your privilege of being able to work side by side with Jesus in the carpenter shop of Nazareth. As a token of your own gratitude to God, obtain for me the grace to respect the dignity of labor and ever to be content with the position in life, however lowly, in which it may please Divine Providence to place me. Teach me to work for God and with God in the spirit of humility and prayer, as you did, so that I may offer my toil in union with the sacrifice of Jesus in the Mass as a reparation for my sins, and gain rich merit for heaven. *Novena Prayer

DAY EIGHT — FRIEND IN SUFFERING Saint Joseph, your share of suffering was very great because of your close union with the Divine Savior. All the mysteries of His life were more or less mysteries of suffering. Poverty pressed upon you, and the cross of labor followed you everywhere. Nor were you spared domestic crosses, owing to misunderstandings in regard to the holiest and most cherished of all beings, Jesus and Mary, who were all to you. Keen must have been the suffering caused by the uncertainty regarding Mary's virginity; by the bestowal of the name of Jesus, which pointed to future misfortune. Deeply painful must have been the prophecy of Simeon, the flight into Egypt, the disappearance of Jesus at the Paschal feast. To these sufferings were surely added interior sorrow at the sight of the sins of your own people. You bore all this suffering in a truly Christ-like manner, and in this you are our example. No sound of complaint or impatience escaped you – you were, indeed, the silent saint! You submitted to all in the spirit of faith, humility, confidence, and love. You cheerfully bore all in union with and for the Savior and His Mother, knowing well that true love is a crucified love. But God never forsook you in your trials. The trials, too, disappeared and were changed at last into consolation and joy. It seems that God had purposely intended your life to be filled with suffering as well as consolation to keep before my eyes the truth that my life on earth is but a succession of joys and sorrows, and that I must gratefully accept whatever God sends me, and during the time of consolation prepare for suffering. Teach me to bear my cross in the spirit of faith, of confidence, and of gratitude toward God. In a happy eternity, I shall thank God fervently for the sufferings which He deigned to send me during my pilgrimage on earth, and which after your example I endured with patience and heartfelt love for Jesus and Mary. You were truly the martyr of the hidden life. This was God's Will, for the holier a person is, the more he is tried for the love and glory of God. If suffering is the flowering of God's grace in a soul and the triumph of the soul's love for God, being the greatest of saints after Mary, you suffered more than any of the martyrs. Because you have experienced the sufferings of this valley of tears, you are most kind and sympathetic toward those in need. Down through the ages souls have turned to you in distress and have always found you a faithful friend in suffering. You have graciously heard their prayers in their needs even though it demanded a miracle. Having been so intimately united with Jesus and Mary in life, your intercession with Them is most powerful. Saint Joseph, I thank God for your privilege of being able to suffer for Jesus and Mary. As a token of your own gratitude to God, obtain for me the grace to bear my suffering patiently for love of Jesus and Mary. Grant that I may unite the sufferings, works and disappointments of life with the sacrifice of Jesus in the Mass, and share like you in Mary's spirit of sacrifice. *Novena Prayer
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DAY NINE — PATRON OF A HAPPY DEATH Saint Joseph, how fitting it was that at the hour of your death Jesus should stand at your bedside with Mary, the sweetness and hope of all mankind. You gave your entire life to the service of Jesus and Mary; at death you enjoyed the consolation of dying in Their loving arms. You accepted death in the spirit of loving submission to the Will of God, and this acceptance crowned your hidden life of virtue. Yours was a merciful judgment, for your foster-Son, for whom you had cared so lovingly, was your Judge, and Mary was your advocate. The verdict of the Judge was a word of encouragement to wait for His coming to Limbo, where He would shower you with the choicest fruits of the Redemption, and an embrace of grateful affection before you breathed forth your soul into eternity.You looked into eternity and to your everlasting reward with confidence. If our Savior blessed the shepherds, the Magi, Simeon, John the Baptist, and others, because they greeted His presence with devoted hearts for a brief passing hour, how much more did He bless you who have sanctified yourself for so many years in His company and that of His Mother? If Jesus regards every corporal and spiritual work of mercy, performed in behalf of our fellow men out of love for Him, as done to Himself, and promises heaven as a reward, what must have been the extent of His gratitude to you who in the truest sense of the word have received Him, given Him shelter, clothed, nourished, and consoled Him at the sacrifice of your strength and rest, and even your life, with a love which surpassed the love of all fathers. God really and personally made Himself your debtor. Our Divine Savior paid that debt of gratitude by granting you many graces in your lifetime, especially the grace of growing in love, which is the best and most perfect of all gifts. Thus at the end of your life your heart became filled with love, the fervor and longing of which your frail body could not resist. Your soul followed the triumphant impulse of your love and winged its flight from earth to bear the prophets and patriarchs in Limbo the glad tidings of the advent of the Redeemer. Saint Joseph, I thank God for your privilege of being able to die in the arms of Jesus and Mary. As a token of your own gratitude to God, obtain for me the grace of a happy death. Help me to spend each day in preparation for death. May I, too, accept death in the spirit of resignation to God's Holy Will, and die, as you did, in the arms of Jesus, strengthened by Holy Viaticum, and in the arms of Mary, with her rosary in my hand and her name on my lips! ​*Novena Prayer

Novena to the Holy Spirit

Begin by reciting the following prayer...

O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler! I adore you as my True God. I bless You by uniting myself to the praises You receive from the angel and saints. I offer You my whole heart, and I render You heartfelt thanks for all the benefits You have bestowed and do unceasingly bestow upon the world. You are the author of all supernatural gifts and who did enrich with immense favors the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, I beseech you to visit me by Your grace and Your love, and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena...

State your request here...

O Holy Spirit, spirit of truth, come into our hearts: shed the brightness of your light on all nations, that they may be of one faith and pleasing to You. Amen. Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
Recite the prayer of the appropriate day...

DAY ONE O Holy Spirit, bestow upon us Your seven holy gifts. Enlighten our understanding that we may know You. Give us wisdom that Your will may be clear to us and that we may accept it. Grant us the gift of counsel that we may always perceive what is right. Fortify us that we may always be capable of fulfilling Your Divine Will. Inspire us with the spirit of learning that we may be able to penetrate more deeply into the truths that You have revealed. Let our hearts be steeped in the spirit of childlikeness that we may bring You joy. Let us have proper fear of God that we may never grieve You or wander from the path of goodness. Give us the fulness of Your gifts that we may glorify You. Amen. Look with compassion upon us, O Holy Spirit, and grant us the favor we seek in this novena... State your request here... if it be in accordance with Your Holy Will.

DAY TWO O Holy Spirit, make me faithful in every thought, and grant that I may always listen to your voice, and watch for Your light, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You, and give myself to You, and ask You by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced feet of Jesus, looking at His Five Wounds, trusting in His Precious Blood, adoring His opened side and stricken heart, I implore You adorable Spirit, helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace, now and always, and grant us the favor we ask in this novena... State your request here... Amen. Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love.

DAY THREE Heavenly Father, You have called me to be a member of the mystical body of Your Son, Jesus Christ, and to be a temple of the Holy Spirit. I ask You to give me these gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, that I may understand the follies of this world; understanding, that I may grasp more fully the meaning of my existence and the purpose of all things in the world; counsel, that I may always choose the proper way; fortitude, that I may remain faithful to You under the pressure of temptation; piety, that I may revere You in all I do, think or say; fear of the Lord, that should the motive of love fail me, I may quickly be awakened to the eternal consequences of my deeds. Visit me by Your grace and Your love and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena... State your request here... Amen. Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love.

DAY FOUR O God, Who today by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful, give us, by the light of the same Holy Spirit, a love for what is right and just and a constant enjoyment of His comforts. Pray Holy Spirit, that I may strive to learn more of my faith; that I may ever be conscious that reason in all its human magnificence is capable of grasping but a glimpse of the reality that is God. Pray that I may accept as the motto of my life: "All for the greater glory of God" and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena... State your request here... Amen. Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love.

DAY FIVE Come, O Spirit of sanctity, from the glory of heaven and send forth the radiance of Your light. Father of all the poor, light and peace of all hearts, come with Your countless gifts. Consoler in desolation; refreshment full of loveliness, come dear friend of my soul. In weariness send repose; breath gently cool refreshing breeze; console the desolate who weep alone. Light of Beatitude, make our hearts ready; come enter our souls. Without Your grace, man stands alone; he cannot be good or sure. Cleanse what is soiled; heal what is wounded; moisten what is arid. Bend the stubborn will; warm the cold heart; guide the wandering footstep. O Holy Spirit, we beg You to give us grace through Your sevenfold power and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena... State your request here... Give us merit for the present, and one day beatitude when we have finished our earthly journey. Amen. Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love.

DAY SIX O Father in Heaven, I beg You to send the Holy Spirit. May Your Holy Spirit remind me when I am apt to forget Your law. Your love, Your promises. May Your Holy Spirit strengthen my memory to recall frequently Your sanctity, omniscience, wisdom, and goodness, faithfulness, and love. May Your Holy Spirit encourage me when I am slothful; strengthen me when I am weak; enlighten me when I no longer can help myself. Breathe into me, O Holy Spirit, that I may do what is holy. Stir me, that I may love what is holy. Strengthen me, that I may preserve what is holy .Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may never lose what is holy and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena... State your request here... Amen. Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love.

DAY SEVEN Come, Holy Spirit,creator of all things: come visit our hearts with Your power. Fill with grace, friendly guest, the hearts which You have created. You are called the Consoler, gift from the hand of God, source of life, light, love, and flame, highest good. You are the pledge of sevenfold grace, finger of the Father's hand, promised us by Him, and You make our tongues speak the truth. Cast light on our senses, pour love into our hearts. Grant our weak bodies strength that they may never grow weary of doing good and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena... State your request here... Keep the enemy far from us, give us peace always, let us willingly follow in Your footsteps that we may be far removed from sin. Grant that through You we may grow in knowledge of the Father and of the Son, and that we may ever strongly believe in You, the Spirit of both. Praise and honor be forever to the Father on the highest throne, in the risen Son of God, in the Consoler. Amen. Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love.

DAY EIGHT O Holy Spirit, life and light of the Church, give us thoughts higher than our own thoughts, and prayers better than our own prayers, and powers beyond our own powers, that we may love and live, imitating Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Come to us, Holy Spirit, come with the Father and the Son and grant me the favor I so earnestly request in this novena... State your request here... Vouch safe to dwell within our souls and quickly make our hearts Your own. Quench in us the fires of hate and strife, the wasting fever of the heart. From perils guard our feeble life and to our souls Your peace impart. Let voice and mind and heart and strength confess and glorify Your name and let the fire of charity burn bright and other hearts inflame. Amen. Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love.

DAY NINE O Lord, Holy Spirit, grant me sight to see the wondrous promise of divine love; insight to see my own weakness; delight in Your divine presence in my soul which You have made Your temple through sanctifying grace. I pray, O Holy Spirit, that I may be not doubting; that I be spared the pain of being alone without trust or hope in Christ; that my prayer may always be "My Lord and my God!" I pray that I may acquire a sense of retreat to prayer and recollection at various times in my daily life; for prayer is the bond that joins us to Christ. I pray that I may be aware of the physical needs of the poor and that I may share what I can with them in the charitable works of the Church. I pray, O Holy Spirit ,that You will in Your mercy grant me the favor I have sought in this novena... State your request here... Amen. Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION NOVENA​

O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

First, recite the Prayer to the Immaculate Conception. Then, recite the appropriate prayer of each of the nine days.

DAY ONE O most Holy Virgin, who was pleasing to the Lord and became His mother, immaculate in body and spirit, in faith and in love, look kindly on me as I implore your powerful intercession. O most Holy Mother, who by your blessed Immaculate Conception, from the first moment of your conception did crush the head of the enemy, receive our prayers as we implore you to present at the throne of God the favor we now request... (State your intention here...) O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

DAY TWO O Mary, ever blessed Virgin, Mother of God, Queen of angels and of saints, we salute you with the most profound veneration and filial devotion as we contemplate your holy Immaculate Conception, We thank you for your maternal protection and for the many blessings that we have received through your wondrous mercy and most powerful intercession. In all our necessities we have recourse to you with unbounded confidence. O Mother of Mercy, we beseech you now to hear our prayer and to obtain for us of your Divine Son the favor that we so earnestly request in this novena... (State your intention here...) O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

DAY THREE O Blessed Virgin Mary, glory of the Christian people, joy of the universal Church and Mother of Our Lord, speak for us to the Heart of Jesus, who is your Son and our brother. O Mary, who by your holy Immaculate Conception did enter the world free from stain, in your mercy obtain for us from Jesus the special favor which we now so earnestly seek... (State your intention here...) O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

DAY FOUR O Mary, Mother of God, endowed in your glorious Immaculate Conception with the fullness of grace; unique among women in that you are both mother and virgin; Mother of Christ and Virgin of Christ, we ask you to look down with a tender heart from your throne and listen to our prayers as we earnestly ask that you obtain for us the favor for which we now plead... (State your intention here...) O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.
DAY FIVE O Lord, who, by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, did prepare a fitting dwelling for your Son, we beseech you that as by the foreseen death of your Son, you did preserve her from all stain of sin, grant that through her intercession, we may be favored with the granting of the grace that we seek for at this time...(State your intention here...) O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

DAY SIX Glorious and immortal Queen of Heaven, we profess our firm belief in your Immaculate Conception preordained for you in the merits of your Divine Son. We rejoice with you in your Immaculate Conception. To the one ever-reigning God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three in Person, one in nature, we offer thanks for your blessed Immaculate Conception. O Mother of the Word made Flesh, listen to our petition as we ask this special grace during this novena... (State your intention here...) O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

DAY SEVEN O Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, and my mother, from the sublime heights of your dignity turn your merciful eyes upon me while I, full of confidence in your bounty and keeping in mind your Immaculate conception and fully conscious of your power, beg of you to come to our aid and ask your Divine Son to grant the favor we earnestly seek in this novena... if it be beneficial for our immortal souls and the souls for whom we pray. (State your intention here...) O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.

DAY EIGHT O Most gracious Virgin Mary, beloved Mother of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, intercede with him for us that we be granted the favor which we petition for so earnestly in this novena...O Mother of the Word Incarnate, we feel animated with confidence that your prayers in our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. O Glorious Mother of God, in memory of your joyous Immaculate Conception, hear our prayers and obtain for us our petitions. (State your intention here...) O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.

DAY NINE O Mother of the King of the Universe, most perfect member of the human race, "our tainted nature is solitary boast," we turn to you as mother, advocate, and mediatrix. O Holy Mary, assist us in our present necessity. By your Immaculate Conception, O Mary conceived without sin, we humbly beseech you from the bottom of our heart to intercede for us with your Divine Son and ask that we be granted the favor for which we now plead... (State your intention here...) O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

LITTLE FLOWER NOVENA

Opening Prayers (prayed each day): Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of the faithful, and kindle in them the fire of divine love.
​
V. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created.
R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray: O God, who have instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit; grant that by the gift of the same Spirit, we may be ever truly wise and rejoice in His consolation, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love: O my God! I believe in Thee: strengthen my faith. All my hopes are in Thee: do Thou secure them. I love Thee: teach me to love Thee daily more and more.
The Act of Contrition: O my God! I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance , and to amend my life. Amen.

Concluding Prayer (prayed each day): O Lord, You have said: Unless you become as little children you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven; grant us, we beg You, so to follow, in humility and simplicity of heart, the footsteps of the Virgin blessed Thérèse, that we may attain to an everlasting reward. Amen.

Special prayers for each day...

DAY ONE St. Thérèse, privileged Little Flower of Jesus and Mary, I approach you with childlike confidence and deep humility. I lay before you my desires, and beg that through your intercession they may be realized. Did you not promise to spend your heaven doing good upon earth? Grant me according to this promise the favors I am asking from you. Intercede for us all the days of our life, but specially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen. Thought for the day: Confidence in God. We can never have too much confidence in the good God who is so powerful and so merciful. We obtain from Him as much as we hope for. If you are nothing, do you forget that Jesus is everything? You have only to lose your nothingness in His Infinity and think only of loving Him. Concluding Prayer.

DAY TWO O dear little Saint, now that you see the crucified Jesus in heaven, still bearing the wounds caused by sin, you know still more clearly than you did upon earth the value of souls, and the priceless worth of that Precious Blood which He shed to save them. As I am one of those children for whom Christ died, obtain for me all the graces I need in order to profit by that Precious Blood. Use your great power with our divine Lord and pray for me. Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen. Thought for the day: Sin. The only grace I ask, O Jesus, is never to offend Thee. By love and not by fear, does a soul avoid committing the least fault. Yes, even if I have on my conscience every possible crime, I should lose none of my confidence; my heart breaking with sorrow, I should go and throw myself into the arms of my Savior. The remembrance of my faults humbles me and makes me afraid to rely on my own strength, which is nothing but weakness. Concluding Prayer.
 
DAY THREE Dear Little Flower, make all things lead me to heaven and God, Whether I look at the sun, the moon, the stars and the vast expanse in which they float, or whether I look at the flowers of the field, the trees of the forest, the beauties of the earth so full of color and so glorious, may they speak to me of the love and power of God; may they all sing His praises in my ear. Like you may I daily love Him more and more in return for His gifts. Teach me often to deny myself in my dealings with others, that I may offer to Jesus many little sacrifices. Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen. Thought for the day: The Use of God's Gifts. How much benefit have I received from the beauties of nature, bestowed in such abundance. How they raise me to Him who placed such wonders in this land of exile which is only to last a day. O sparkling nature, if I did not see God in you, you would be naught but a great tomb.With your little hand which caresses Mary, You sustain the universe and bestow life; and You think of me, O Jesus my little King.I do not wish creatures to have one atom of my love. I wish to give all to Jesus, since He has shown me that He alone is perfect happiness.Concluding Prayer.

DAY FOUR Dear Little Flower of Carmel, bearing so patiently the disappointments and delays allowed by God, and preserving in the depths of your soul an unchanging peace because you sought only God's will, ask for me complete conformity to that adorable Will in all the trials and disappointments of life. If the favors I am asking during this Novena are pleasing to God, obtain them for me. If not, it is true I shall feel the refusal keenly, but I too wish only God's Will, and pray in the words you used, that I "may ever be perfectly fulfilled in me." Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen. Thought for the day: Abandonment to God. I fear only one thing — to keep my own will; take it, my God, for I choose all that You choose. The only happiness here below is to strive to be always content with what Jesus gives us. I can demand nothing with fervor, except the perfect accomplishment of God's will in my soul. O my Beloved, I offer myself to You, that You may perfectly accomplish in me Your holy designs, and I will not allow anything created to be an obstacle in their path. Concluding Prayer.
 
DAY FIVE Little Flower of Jesus, from the very first moment of your religious life you thought only of denying yourself in all things so as to follow Jesus more perfectly; help me to bear patiently the trials of my daily life. Teach me to make use of the trials, the sufferings, the humiliations, that come my way, to learn to know myself better and to love God more. Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen. Thought for the day:Patience in Sufferings. I do not fear trials sent by Jesus, for even in the most bitter suffering we can see that it is His loving hand which causes it. When we are expecting nothing but suffering, we are quite surprised at the least joy; but then suffering itself becomes the greatest of joys when we seek it as a precious treasure. Far from resembling those beautiful saints who practiced all sorts of austerities from childhood, my penance consisted in breaking my self-will, in keeping back a sharp reply, in doing little kindnesses to those about me, but considering these deeds as nothing. Concluding Prayer.
 
DAY SIX St. Thérèse, Patroness of the Missions, be a great missionary throughout the world to the end of time. Remind our Master of His own words, "The harvest is great, but the laborers are few." Your zeal for souls was so great, obtain a like zeal for those now working for souls, and beg God to multiply their numbers, that the millions to whom Jesus is yet unknown may be brought to know, love and follow Him. Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen. Thought for the day: Zeal for souls. Let us work together for the salvation of souls. We have only the day of this life to save souls and to give them to the Lord as proofs of our love. I tell Jesus that I am glad not to be able to see, with the eyes of my soul, this beautiful heaven which awaits me, in order that He may vouchsafe to open it forever to poor unbelievers. I cannot perform brilliant works; I cannot preach the Gospel or shed my blood. But what matter? My brothers work in place of me, and I a little child, keep very close to the royal throne. I love for those who are carrying on the warfare. My deeds, my little sufferings, can make God loved all over the world. Concluding Prayer.
 
DAY SEVEN O little martyr of Love, you know now even better than in the days of your pilgrimage that Love embraces all vocations; that it is Love alone which counts, which unites us perfectly to God and conforms our will with His. All you sought on earth was love; to love Jesus as He had never yet been loved. Use your power in heaven to make us love Him. If only we love Him we shall desire to make Him loved by others; we shall pray much for souls. We shall no longer fear death, for it will unite us to Him forever. Obtain for us the grace to do all for the love of God, to give Him pleasure, to love Him so well that He may be pleased with us as He was with you. Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen. Thought for the day: Love of God. I will love God alone and will not have the misfortune of attaching myself to creatures, now that my heart perceive what He has in store for those who love Him. What attracts me to the kingdom of Heaven is the call of our Lord, the hope of loving Him as I have so desired and the thought that I shall be able to make Him loved by a great number of souls who will bless Him forever. When Christ said, "Give Me a Drink," it was the love of His poor creatures that He, the Creator of all things, desired. He thirsted for love. Remember that the dear Jesus is there in the tabernacle expressly for you, for you alone. Remember that He is consumed with a desire to come into your heart. Concluding Prayer.

DAY EIGHT Dear St. Thérèse, like you I have to die one day. I beseech you, obtain from God, by reminding Him of your own precious death, that I may have a holy death, strengthened by the Sacraments of the Church, entirely resigned to the most holy Will of God, and burning with love for Him. May my last words on earth be, "My God. I love You." Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen. Thought for the day: Death. It says in the catechism that death is nothing but the separation of the soul and body. Well, I have no fear of a separation which will unite me forever with the good God. I am happy to die because I shall be able to help souls who are dear to me, far more than I can here below. Life is not sad; it is very joyous. If you say, "This exile is sad," I understand you. We are wrong to give the name "life" to something which will end; it is only to the things of Heaven that we should apply this beautiful name. Concluding Prayer.
 
DAY NINE Dear Little St. Thérèse, by love and suffering while you were on earth, you won the power with God which you now enjoy in heaven. Since your life there began, you have showered down countless blessings on this poor world; you have been an instrument made use of by your divine Spouse to work countless miracles. I beg of you to remember all my wants. Sufferings must come to me also, may I use them to love God more, and follow my Jesus better. You are especially the little missionary of love. Make me love Jesus more, and all others for His sake. With all my heart I thank the most Holy Trinity for the wonderful blessings conferred on you, and upon the world through you. Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen. Thought for the day: The Mission of the Little Flower. I do not intend to remain inactive in Heaven. I want to work for the Church and for souls. I have asked this of God and I am certain that He will grant my request. I will spend my Heaven doing good upon earth. This is not impossible, since the angels though always enjoying the beatific vision, watch over us. No, I cannot be at rest until the end of the world. I beseech Thee, O Jesus, to cast Thy divine glance on a great number of little souls. I beg of Thee to choose in this world a legion of little victims, worthy of Thy Love. Concluding Prayer.
 
O Lord, You have said: Unless you become as little children you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven; grant us, we beg You, so to follow, in humility and simplicity of heart, the footsteps of the Virgin blessed Thérèse, that we may attain to an everlasting reward. Amen.

SACRED HEART NOVENA

by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
Padre Pio recited this novena every day for all those who requested his prayers.

DAY ONE O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you." Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of... (here name your request)
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be to the Father
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

DAY TWO O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you." Behold, in your name, I ask the Father for the grace of... (here name your request) 
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be to the Father
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

DAY THREE O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away." Encouraged by your infallible words I now ask for the grace of... (here name your request)
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be to the Father
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of you, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, your tender Mother and ours.

Hail, Holy Queen
St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us.

PROMISES & LITANIES

​15 ROSARY PROMISES

1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall receive signal graces.
2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.
3. The Rosary shall be powerful armor against hell. It will destroy vice, decrease sin and defeat heresies.
4. It will cause virtue and good works to flourish. It will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God. It will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall not perish.
6. Whoever shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred mysteries, shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice. He shall not perish by an unprovided death. If he be just, he shall remain in the grace of God and become worthy of eternal life.
7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.
8. Those who are faithful to recite the Rosary shall have, during their life and at their death, the light of God and the plentitude of His graces. At the moment of death, they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.
9. I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.
10. The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven.
11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary.
12. All those who propagate the holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.
14. All who recite the Rosary are my sons and brothers of my only Son, Jesus Christ.
15. Devotion of my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.

​LITANY TO ST. JOSEPH

Lord have mercy on us
Christ have mercy on us
Lord have mercy on us

Christ hear us, Christ graciously hear us
God the Father of heaven, Have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us
God the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us
Holy Mary, Pray for us
St. Joseph, Pray for us
Blessed offspring of David, Pray for us
Light of patriarchs, Pray for us
Spouse of the Mother of God, Pray for us
Chaste custodian of the Blessed Virgin, Pray for us
Guardian of the Son of God, Pray for us
Defender of Christ, Pray for us
Head of the Holy Family, Pray for us
O Joseph most just, Pray for us
O Joseph most chaste, Pray for us
O Joseph most prudent, Pray for us
O Joseph most forceful, Pray for us
O Joseph most obedient, Pray for us
O Joseph most faithful, Pray for us
Lover of poverty, Pray for us
Model of laborers, Pray for us
Patriarch of the home, Pray for us
Strength of the family, Pray for us
Comforter of the afflicted, Pray for us
Hope of the sick, Pray for us
Patron of the dying, Pray for us
Terror of demons, Pray for us
Protector of the church, Pray for us
Lamb of God you who takes away the sins of the world, Forgive us O Lord
Lamb of God you who take away the sins of the world, Hear us O Lord
Lamb of God, you who take away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us​

Let us pray. Lord Jesus, through the merits of the devoted spouse of your most holy mother, Mary, help us, we ask you, that what of ourselves we cannot obtain, may be granted through the intercession of the most holy patriarch, Saint Joseph. You who reign with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

Litany of Humility​

O Jesus! Meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, Jesus.

That others may be loved more than I, 
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I, 
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside, 
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed, 
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything, 
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
​That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, 
​Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…

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