Invite Jesus on this Journey
Pope Francis reminds us: “If we let Christ into our lives we lose nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing of what makes life free, beautiful and great. No! Only in this friendship are the doors of life opened wide. Only in this friendship is the great potential of human existence truly revealed… do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away and he gives you everything. When we give ourselves to him, we receive a hundredfold in return. Yes, open, open wide the doors to Christ - and you will find true life!
Invitation Prayer to Jesus
It is important during this time to create space and silence for self-reflection but it is crucial to also invite Jesus to accompany you on this journey.
Try making this prayer a daily ritual:
Lord Jesus,
I open the door of my heart and I invite you to be at the center of my life
- to be my Savior and my Lord.
Direct me by your Holy Spirit
and help me to live the Gospel
today and throughout my whole life.
Amen
It is important during this time to create space and silence for self-reflection but it is crucial to also invite Jesus to accompany you on this journey.
Try making this prayer a daily ritual:
Lord Jesus,
I open the door of my heart and I invite you to be at the center of my life
- to be my Savior and my Lord.
Direct me by your Holy Spirit
and help me to live the Gospel
today and throughout my whole life.
Amen
Morning Offering
(Your whole day can be a prayer! Pray this prayer each morning to offer up all of your actions and sacrifices throughout the day as a prayer.)
O my Jesus,
through the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I offer You my prayers, works,
joys and sufferings of this day
for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart,
in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world,
in reparation for my sins,
for the intentions of my family and friends,
and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father.
Amen.
(Your whole day can be a prayer! Pray this prayer each morning to offer up all of your actions and sacrifices throughout the day as a prayer.)
O my Jesus,
through the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I offer You my prayers, works,
joys and sufferings of this day
for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart,
in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world,
in reparation for my sins,
for the intentions of my family and friends,
and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father.
Amen.
Prayerful Review of Your Day (Examen)
1. Gratitude: Begin by thanking God in a personal dialogue for whatever you are most grateful for today.
2. Awareness: Revisit the times during the past 24 hours when you were and were not the "best-version-of-your-self." Talk to God about these situations and what ask him to teach you what you can learn from them.
3. Significant Moments: Identify something you experienced in the last 24 hours and explore what God might be trying to say to you through that event (or person).
4. Peace : Ask God to forgive you for any wrong you have committed (against yourself, another person, or Him) and to fill you with a deep and enduring peace.
5. Others: Lift up to God anyone you feel called to pray for today, asking God to bless and guide them.
2. Awareness: Revisit the times during the past 24 hours when you were and were not the "best-version-of-your-self." Talk to God about these situations and what ask him to teach you what you can learn from them.
3. Significant Moments: Identify something you experienced in the last 24 hours and explore what God might be trying to say to you through that event (or person).
4. Peace : Ask God to forgive you for any wrong you have committed (against yourself, another person, or Him) and to fill you with a deep and enduring peace.
5. Others: Lift up to God anyone you feel called to pray for today, asking God to bless and guide them.
Act of Contrition
O My God,
I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee,
and I detest all my sins
because of Thy just punishments.
But most of all,
because they offend Thee, my God,
Who are all-good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve,
with the help of Thy grace,
to sin no more,
and to avoid the near occasion of sin.
Amen.
Contemplative Prayer
Many people do not know where to begin with with contemplative prayer. Jesus knew this, so he taught us how to pray by giving us the perfect prayer, the Our Father. A good method for contemplative prayer is to pray the Our Father very slowly. Begin with "Our Father, who art in heaven" and then spend a few minutes elaborating on the purpose of that line; to praise God. Think about all the ways that God is great, the beautiful things he has made, his tremendous mercy and love, etc. Then move on to the next section, "hallowed be Thy name." This means, "may your name be considered holy." So in this section we are praying for the world, myself and others, to respect God, to love him, to honor him, to treat God as God. Spend a few minutes praying about this. Ask God to help you to love him more. Ask for a change of heart for those who do love and honor God. Then move on to the next phrase, "Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Spend a few minutes on this section, praying for God's will, praying for your own prayers of petition, for the people you carry in your heart, those who need help, etc. that God's perfect and holy will may be accomplished in in their lives. Continue this pattern through the entire Our Father, and before you know it, you will easily spent 20-plus minutes in prayer.
Many people do not know where to begin with with contemplative prayer. Jesus knew this, so he taught us how to pray by giving us the perfect prayer, the Our Father. A good method for contemplative prayer is to pray the Our Father very slowly. Begin with "Our Father, who art in heaven" and then spend a few minutes elaborating on the purpose of that line; to praise God. Think about all the ways that God is great, the beautiful things he has made, his tremendous mercy and love, etc. Then move on to the next section, "hallowed be Thy name." This means, "may your name be considered holy." So in this section we are praying for the world, myself and others, to respect God, to love him, to honor him, to treat God as God. Spend a few minutes praying about this. Ask God to help you to love him more. Ask for a change of heart for those who do love and honor God. Then move on to the next phrase, "Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Spend a few minutes on this section, praying for God's will, praying for your own prayers of petition, for the people you carry in your heart, those who need help, etc. that God's perfect and holy will may be accomplished in in their lives. Continue this pattern through the entire Our Father, and before you know it, you will easily spent 20-plus minutes in prayer.
Prayers to Our Lady
Fiat 40 is named after the perfect response that Mary gave to the Angel Gabriel, when she was told of God's plan to send the Son into the world. Mary responded, "Let it be done unto me, according to thy word" or "Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum." Mary is the greatest model of perfect fidelity to Jesus. Thus she is our model during this journey and throughout our life.
The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known
that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help,
or sought thine intercession
was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence,
I fly unto thee,
O Virgin of virgins, my mother;
to thee do I come, before thee I stand,
sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
The Rosary
is perhaps the most popular Marian devotion.
It's a great prayer to say in the car or when laying in bed as we go to sleep.
Click here to learn how to pray the Rosary.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known
that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help,
or sought thine intercession
was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence,
I fly unto thee,
O Virgin of virgins, my mother;
to thee do I come, before thee I stand,
sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
The Rosary
is perhaps the most popular Marian devotion.
It's a great prayer to say in the car or when laying in bed as we go to sleep.
Click here to learn how to pray the Rosary.
The Angelus
The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
And she conceived of 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.
And she conceived of 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.
The Canticle of Mary (a.k.a. The Magnificat)
(the prayer exclaimed by Mary when she visited her cousin Elizabeth)
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.
(Lk 1:46-55)
(the prayer exclaimed by Mary when she visited her cousin Elizabeth)
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.
(Lk 1:46-55)
OTHER GREAT PRAYERS
Chaplet of Divine Mercy
This powerful prayer was given to the world by Our Lord through St. Faustina Kowalska. It is prayed by using rosary beads and takes about 7 minutes to pray. Learn how to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
This powerful prayer was given to the world by Our Lord through St. Faustina Kowalska. It is prayed by using rosary beads and takes about 7 minutes to pray. Learn how to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel.
When Jesus was in the desert "the angels ministered to him." When you go on this journey as the angel St. Michael to protect you from attacks by the evil one. St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. |
The Litany of Trust click here
The 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 become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
Amen.
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 become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
Amen.